Jack Stands

and their Proper Use

 Jack Stands
• The tire-changing jack that comes
with your car is safe only for changing
tires - any under-the-car work
requires the use of jack stands. Jack
stands are easy to use, but it's
imperative that they be placed in the
correct position under the car.
 Jack Stands
• Almost any mechanical job you might
tackle may require that you are able to
safely jack the effected vehicle to a
position where you can either: 
access components under the vehicle
remove one or more wheel(s)
raise the vehicle so you can lower vehicle
components when otherwise impossible
(ie. the transmission). 
 Jack Stands
• Usually tools required are:
A floor jack
 Jack Stands

1 or 2 set(s) of jack stands

 Jack Stands

4 x wheel chocks
 Jack Stands
• Before jacking a car up make sure to
visually inspect the floor jack, all jack
stands and wheel chocks for noticeable
defects
• Check that floor jack raises and holds (test
with your foot) and that the release is
working correctly (test with your foot)
• Check that all jack stand release handles
are working properly
 Jack Stands
• Before starting you should check either the
owners manual or the factory shop manual
to find the factory approved “jack points”
• Jack points are the points on a car that
are designed to be strong enough to hold
the cars weight when the car is being lifted
off the ground
• They can usually be found under
“Emergency” in the owners manual
 Jack Stands
• Vehicles must only be jacked up on a flat
level work area
• You NEVER want a car leaning while on
jack stands
• If a nearly level work area can not be
found DO NOT attempt to jack up a
vehicle!!
 Jack Stands
• Once you have a safe level jacking
location chock the wheels of the un-
effected axle both front and back
 Jack Stands
• In other words if you are raising the front
of the car you would chock the rear
wheels. Also when lifting the front of a car
apply the emergency brake. You can
never have too many safety precautions
• When you are raising the rear of the car
chock both front tires. If it is a Front Wheel
Drive FWD car make sure it is in gear if it
is a Standard or in park for Automatic
 Jack Stands
• Lifting Rear Wheels
– The purpose of chocking the tires and
applying the brake both RWD and FWD is to
make sure the car does not shift or roll while it
is being lifted by the floor jack
• Lifting Front Wheels
– The purpose of chocking the tires and placing
the car in gear/park FWD is to make sure the
car does not shift or roll while it is being lifted
by the floor jack
 Jack Stands
• When the vehicle is in a safe jacking
condition position the floor jack in an
approved factory location.

Floor jack Floor jack

Hoist or Jacking points

 Front wheel drive (FWD) - Toyota

Jacking & hoist placement points

Place
floor-jack
here

Hoist or jack stands

 Front wheel drive (FWD) - Toyota

Jacking & hoist placement points

Place floor-jack here

(folded seam) if you are
only lifting one wheel at
a time

Hoist or jack stands

 Jack Stands
• Once the desired axle is raised to the
desired height place jack stands in factory
approved locations
• After placing the jack stands confirm that
they are in the correct position and will not
damage: brake lines, gas lines,
transmission, steering components etc…
 Jack Stands
• SLOWLY lower the car onto the jack
stands
• Make sure to watch the jack stands as the
car comes to rest on the stands
• Be ready to stop floor jack
• Once the car is supported on the jack
stands give the car the “wiggle” test
before going under the car.
 Jack Stands
• One of the biggest mistakes made with
floor jacks and jack stands is their use on
asphalt
– Asphalt is not a solid surface and with the
weight of a car a jack stand or floor jack can
cut into the surface
– Therefore it is recommended that you place a
piece of ¼” or thicker plywood under the jack
stand or floor jack
 Jack Stands
• Failure to place plywood under your
jack stands or floor jack could result in
the jack stand or floor jack tipping over
• This above condition could result in the
car crushing anything that is under it at
the time and or damaging parts of the
car
• Needless to say the asphalt will also be
damaged
 Jack Stands

•Work smart

•Work safe