Floor jack safety
Protect yourself with floor jack safety knowledge. This is one topic that brings back a bad memory. When I was just a kid growing up my neighbor was killed by his own vehicle that slipped off of the floor jack and landed in his lap. He was performing a brake job and trying to save a few dollars by doing it himself. Not following standard safety protocols cost him his life. Mainly because he didn't take the time to put a couple of jack stands that he already owned under the vehicle. I personally only lift a vehicle at home with a floor jack when it is completely necessary.
Floor jack and jack stands safety
When I do my own oil changes, I scoot under the vehicle and do not use a floor jack at all. I only perform this lifting of the vehicle activity when it is absolutely necessary and always use extra jack stands for safety. Yes a vehicle can be raised off the ground by a hydraulic floor jack safely. At the lifting end of the jack is what is called the lifting pad. The pad must be positioned under an area of the vehicle's frame or at one of the manufacturers recommended lifting points. Your owner’s manual will list safe jacking points in a few different areas but is usually included in the spare tire section.
Not only can these parts be damaged by the weight of the vehicle but when they let loose can cause severe injury to you. Floor jack safety 101.Never use a hydraulic floor jack to move something heavier than it is designed for. Always check the rating of the floor jack and also the jack stands to be used on the vehicle. Then verify that the vehicle weight is below this rating. The (GVW) gross vehicle weight is in your owner’s manual and also on the driver’s side front door jam on most automobiles.
Safety stands also called jack stands are supports of various heights that sit on the floor. Make sure the surface they sit on is strong, flat and level. Concrete is preferred and blacktop areas could be unsafe due to softness. I use 1 1/2 inch thick plywood under the jack stands on black top areas so they do not sink into the surface. Safety stands are placed under a sturdy chassis member, such as the frame or axle housing to support the vehicles weight. Once the safety stands are in position, the hydraulic pressure in the jack should be slowly released until the weight of the vehicle is on the stands. Like floor jack's safety stands also have a capacity rating. Always use a jack stand of the correct size and weight rating.
Floor jack safety tips
Never put yourself under a vehicle when only a hydraulic jack supports it. Rest the vehicle on the safety stands before moving around the vehicle. The recommended reason for removing the hydraulic floor jack after it is safely supported on the stands, Is that this will eliminate a hazard such as a jack handle sticking out into a walkway. A hydraulic floor jack handle that is bumped or kicked can cause a tripping accident and also cause the vehicle to fall. Because of my bad experience with floor jack safety as a child, I believe in using several redundant backups when lifting a vehicle and removing wheels and tires. I own a couple of extra sets of jack stands. I would rather be safe than sorry and take an extra minute or two and slide a few extra jack stands under the vehicle just in case something happens. Again, my number one piece of advice is, if you can get away with not lifting the vehicle then do not lift the vehicle.
 Custom Search Floor jack safety has no quitting time! Take a couple of minutes and review more tips to keep you safe when performing car repairs. This next page is an overview of the dangers of auto repair. Go from floor jack safety to an overview of auto repair safety One of the newer sections of the you fix cars website is the video area. Most of these clips I made myself but I also got a couple of good ones off you tube. This next link takes you to the auto repair videos Back to the homepage is the destination of this next link. Learn more about the car mechanic that thinks you can fix cars with some auto repair advice
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