Jack Up a Car Without Getting Killed

This is life-safety, not a convenience tip. A jack can fail from a small bump or an odd angle in a second. One minute of setup could save your life.

1. Flat, hard ground + chock the wheels
Never jack on a slope or soft ground. Chock the wheels that stay on the ground so the car can't roll.

2. The jack LIFTS, the stand HOLDS
Once it's up, put a jackstand under a solid frame point. Any jack can fail; the stand is what keeps the car off you.

3. Use TWO if you can
Two stands (one per side) is right — two lives beat one. One stand is the lazy minimum for a fighting chance; do two.

4. Never a body part under a jack-only car
If the car is held by the jack alone, nothing you value goes under it. Ever.

Common questions

Do I really need a jackstand to change a tire?

For a quick roadside tire change on flat ground you may only use the jack briefly and never go under the car. For ANY work where your body goes under, a jackstand is mandatory — jacks fail.

How many jackstands should I use?

Two is right, one per side. A single stand is a bare minimum; never rely on the jack alone.

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General preparedness information, not professional advice. For medical, structural, or dangerous situations, get real help when you can.