The safest spots to place jack stands are on your vehicle's designated jack points, which are reinforced sections of the frame or body designed to support the car's weight. The most common locations are the pinch welds (a reinforced seam along the underside of the door sills) or the front and rear frame rails. Never place a jack stand on plastic panels, the engine oil pan, the exhaust system, or any suspension component, as these can easily collapse or bend.
Before you start, ensure the car is on a flat, solid surface like concrete, the parking brake is engaged, and the wheels are chocked. After using a floor jack to lift the car, lower it onto the jack stands slowly and gently. The jack points are often marked in the owner's manual, which is your most reliable source. For example, here are typical jack points for different vehicle types:
| Vehicle Type | Front Jack Point | Rear Jack Point | Additional Notes |
|---|
| Sedan/Unibody | Pinch weld behind front wheels | Pinch weld ahead of rear wheels | Look for notches or markings on the pinch weld. |
| Truck/Body-on-Frame | Solid section of the main frame rail | Solid section of the main frame rail | Avoid the differential/axle housing. |
| SUV/Crossover | Front subframe or designated frame point | Rear differential or designated frame point | Never lift from the rear differential if it has independent suspension. |
| Sports Car | Marked front jack point on subframe | Marked rear jack point on subframe | Often a central point for a floor jack. |
| Minivan | Reinforced sections of the side sills | Designated points on the rear axle or frame | Consult manual due to unique underbody layouts. |
Always give the car a slight shake after it's on the stands to confirm it's stable. The floor jack should remain lightly contacting the lift point as a secondary safety backup. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
