Prepared by: DriveSpec Tools Editorial Team
Published: October 3, 2026
Last updated: October 11, 2026
A floor jack is not a support stand
A hydraulic floor jack is designed primarily to raise and lower a load. It should not be treated as the sole support for a vehicle while anyone is underneath it.
After lifting, place correctly rated jack stands at the vehicle manufacturer’s approved support points. Lower the vehicle carefully onto the stands and confirm that the load is stable before approaching or working beneath it.
Never place any part of your body beneath a vehicle supported only by a hydraulic jack, scissor jack or emergency tire-changing jack.
Consult the vehicle instructions first
Use the vehicle owner’s manual or official service information to identify the approved lifting and support points. Do not assume that a suspension arm, crossmember, differential housing, battery enclosure, floor pan or other visible structure is suitable.
Incorrect placement can damage the vehicle or allow it to move. Some vehicles require special pads, adapters or procedures.
Vehicles with air suspension, automatic leveling, power-operated steps or other active systems may require those systems to be disabled before lifting. Hybrid and electric vehicles also require particular care around high-voltage battery enclosures and cables.
Understand the vehicle’s weight
Check the vehicle’s specifications and the load-rating instructions for the jack and stands. Vehicle weight may be listed as curb weight, gross vehicle weight rating or another measurement; these terms are not interchangeable.
Do not estimate capacity from appearance or marketing category. Include relevant cargo, accessories and modifications when determining the actual load involved.
OSHA requires a jack to have a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the load. The marked capacity must never be exceeded.
Read how the stand capacity is stated
Jack-stand labeling is not always presented in the same way. A capacity may apply to one stand, a matched pair or a complete set, depending on the manufacturer and applicable labeling.
Read the product label and manual rather than assuming that a displayed ton rating applies to each individual stand. Use stands only in the number and configuration specified by their manufacturer.
Do not combine unrelated stands to create a higher total capacity.
Check minimum and maximum height
The floor jack must fit beneath the approved lifting point when the vehicle is at normal ride height. Its maximum lifting height must also be sufficient to position the stands without exceeding the jack’s travel limit.
The stands must reach the approved support points while remaining within their stated height range. Do not add loose blocks, bricks or makeshift extensions to obtain additional height.
A low-profile jack may help with vehicles that have limited ground clearance, but reach, capacity and approved lifting-point access still need to be verified.
Use a hard, level and stable surface
Lift and support a vehicle only on a surface capable of carrying the concentrated loads imposed by the jack and stands.
Loose soil, gravel, soft asphalt, sloped pavement and damaged flooring can allow equipment to tilt, sink or move. Never work under a raised vehicle on an unsuitable surface.
Keep the work area dry, clean and clear of tools or debris that could interfere with the wheels of the floor jack or the bases of the stands.
Secure the vehicle against movement
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for transmission position and parking-brake use. Place suitable wheel chocks at the wheels that remain on the ground, normally at the opposite end from the area being lifted.
Chocks must be appropriately sized and positioned so the vehicle cannot roll in either direction. Do not rely solely on the transmission, parking brake or a single chock.
Remove or secure cargo that could shift and change the vehicle’s balance while it is raised.
Inspect the floor jack before use
Do not use a jack with visible damage, missing parts, hydraulic leaks or abnormal operation.
Check for:
- A legible capacity label.
- Hydraulic-fluid leakage.
- A bent frame, lifting arm or handle.
- Damaged wheels, casters or axles.
- A cracked, loose or damaged saddle.
- Uncontrolled lowering or inability to hold during positioning.
- A missing travel-limit or overload component.
Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance and fluid instructions. Do not make improvised repairs or modify a safety or overload mechanism.
Inspect the jack stands carefully
Jack stands must have stable bases, undamaged columns and secure locking components. Both stands in a matched pair should be appropriate for the same intended setup.
Remove a stand from service if you find:
- Cracked welds or metal.
- Bent legs, columns or saddles.
- Severe corrosion or impact damage.
- Missing locking pins, retainers or handles.
- A ratchet bar or locking mechanism that does not engage fully.
- An unreadable capacity or identification label.
- Evidence that the stand has been overloaded or modified.
Do not weld, drill, bend or otherwise modify a jack stand unless an authorized manufacturer procedure specifically permits the repair.
Place the jack only at an approved point
Center the jack saddle under the approved lifting point. If the vehicle requires a model-specific pad or adapter, use the correct component and ensure it is seated properly.
Raise the vehicle slowly while watching the jack, vehicle and surface. Stop immediately if the saddle shifts, the jack tilts, a wheel lifts unexpectedly or the surface begins to deform.
Keep people away from the vehicle during lifting. No person should be inside the vehicle or underneath it.
Position and load the stands correctly
Place the stands only at approved support locations. Set paired stands to equal heights when the procedure requires equal support.
Confirm that every locking mechanism is fully engaged. For pin-type stands, the correct pin and retainer must be installed completely. Do not substitute bolts, screwdrivers or other objects for the original locking pin.
Lower the vehicle gradually until its weight rests securely on the stands. Keep the jack positioned without treating it as the primary support, if the vehicle and equipment instructions allow this arrangement.
Verify stability before beginning work
From outside the danger area, visually confirm that:
- Each stand remains vertical and fully seated.
- The stand bases have not tilted or sunk.
- The saddles contact the approved support points correctly.
- The vehicle is not leaning or shifting.
- The wheels remaining on the ground are still chocked.
- No suspension or leveling system is changing the load.
If anything appears unstable, raise the vehicle carefully, correct the setup and repeat the verification. Do not attempt to reposition a stand while it is carrying the vehicle.
Account for work that changes balance
Removing heavy components can shift a vehicle’s center of gravity and change the load on the stands. Engines, transmissions, battery packs, axles and other large components may require additional professional support equipment and documented procedures.
Forceful pulling, pushing or high-torque work can also disturb the setup. Do not proceed if the task could make the vehicle unstable.
Do not use makeshift substitutes
Bricks, concrete blocks, stacked lumber, wheels and unrelated workshop objects are not replacements for properly rated vehicle-support stands.
Do not place an unapproved object between a stand and the vehicle merely to gain height. Any pad or adapter must be intended for the equipment and compatible with the vehicle’s specified support point.
Check for recalls before use
Jack stands and lifting equipment can be recalled because of defects that may permit collapse. NHTSA previously warned users about more than 1.7 million recalled jack stands that could fail under load.
Before buying used equipment or continuing to use older equipment, search the exact manufacturer, model and item number in official recall databases. Stop using any product covered by a recall and follow the remedy instructions.
Questions before purchasing
- What is the weight of the exact vehicle?
- How does the manufacturer state the rated capacity?
- Does the rating apply per stand or per pair?
- Can the floor jack reach the approved lifting points?
- Does the jack provide sufficient lifting height?
- Can the stands reach the approved support points within their rated range?
- Are vehicle-specific pads or adapters required?
- What locking mechanism do the stands use?
- Are replacement parts and manufacturer support available?
- Is the exact model subject to a recall or safety warning?
Basic lowering procedure
Clear all people, tools and removed parts from beneath and around the vehicle. Position the jack at the approved lifting point and raise the vehicle only enough to remove the load from the stands.
Remove the stands without placing any part of your body beneath the vehicle. Lower the vehicle slowly and evenly according to the jack and vehicle instructions.
Remove the wheel chocks only after the vehicle is fully on the ground and stable.
Bottom line
Choose a floor jack and jack stands by verified vehicle weight, clearly stated capacity, usable height range and compatibility with the vehicle’s approved lifting and support points. Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack, and do not proceed on an unstable or improvised setup.
Research sources
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration — jack capacity, operation and maintenance requirements
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — jack-stand recall safety advisory
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — consumer recall guidance
- Manufacturer service information hosted by NHTSA — example of vehicle-specific lifting and support instructions
The vehicle service document above is a research example, not a universal procedure, endorsement or affiliate link. Always use the instructions for the exact vehicle and equipment.