Don’t underestimate the importance of jack stands.

Whether it’s upgrading shocks or simply swapping wheels, a lot of the work enthusiasts perform on their cars begins by getting the vehicle off of the ground. If you’re not fortunate enough to have access to a hydraulic lift, this means busting out a floor jack. That floor jack might get your ride off the ground with ease, but that’s only half of the equation. For the other half, you need jack stands.

We’ve all seen someone working on a car as it sits up on chunks of wood, concrete blocks, or on a floor jack alone. When it comes to safety, those are non-starters.That’s a major safety risk you’re taking, and one that has dire consequences. It’s your life on the line. If you’re going to have more than one wheel off of the ground, it’s very important to have more than one jack stand under there.

Speaking of stability, you always make sure that your jack stands are placed on a flat, level surface. A concrete floor is an ideal place to work, while an asphalt pad might prove too soft, possibly resulting in the jack stands digging into the surface.

Once you’ve located a safe spot to set your jack stands, you want to slowly transfer the weight from the floor jack. As the weight of the vehicle loads up a jack stand, be sure to give it a push from each direction to ensure it is snug. Don’t try and really shake the vehicle however, as that’s asking for an accident to happen. Once you’ve got jack stands under the vehicle, be sure to check that the saddles are level, and that there is no air gap below the feet. A jack stand can shift as you place others around the vehicle, so be sure to verify their placement before getting to work. Remember to dust off the wheel chocks again when it’s time to come back down again.

Don’t underestimate the importance of jack stands.