How to Safely Use a Floor Jack?
It is not enough to know how to use a jack; you also need to know how to ensure that safety is maintained as you use it. If you happen to damage your car, you can fix it or get some new parts once you have the money. If the damage is irreparable, you can save up and buy a new one with time. However, the same cannot be said if you happen to injure yourself in the process. Some injuries can be severe, leading to hospitalization and long periods of recovery. Even minor injuries will still require medical attention and time to recover. This will take up your time and money as well. This is why you cannot take any chances while using your jack. You need to always take the following precautions:
Pick Solid Ground
Whenever you want to raise your car with a jack, you will need to pick out flat and even ground. Avoid unstable earth, gravel or slanted grounds as they can cause your jack to tilt and collapse, leading to the collapse of your vehicle as well. When you work on a slanted surface, it also makes it easier for the car to roll away while it is jacked up. This can be dangerous and can be fatal.
Use Parking Breaks
You will need to ensure that your parking brakes are engaged before you can position the jack for lifting. Parking brakes engage the back wheels, preventing them from turning and rolling the car away as you work on the front wheels. In the case where you are working on your back wheels, you will still need to engage the car breaks as well although you need to take added precautionary measures.
Remember Wheel Chocks
Whether you are working on the front or the back wheels, it is imperative that you place wheel chocks beneath your wheels. This provides extra safety ensuring that the car cannot roll away. This supports the parking brake especially when you have the back wheels raised as it is much easier for the front wheels to move because of the way parking brakes operate.
Use Jack Stands
Finally, the role of jack stands is the most important once you have raised the car. Do not attempt to go underneath a vehicle if you have not placed jack stands beneath the car. These stands are designed to support the full weight of the vehicle when you place them at the proper position. Floor jacks are only designed to lift the vehicle but not to support its weight over long periods of time while the car is raised. As you buy a floor jack, you also need to be keen on the type of jack stands that you use. Get stands whose weight limit is beyond that of your car. You will also need to read through reviews to see which manufacturer has most reliable and durable stands. After you have raised you car up, place the jack stands and then remove the jack before working on your vehicle.