Slopes vs. Jack stands: which is better for working under your car? – Jalopnik

There comes a time in every amateur gearhead’s life when they find themselves under a car and wondering if they’ve got the jack adjusted just right – that’s when it’s time to invest in some ramps or jack stands. But which one should you take? You should have a set of jack stands if you’re going to be doing more under your car than just checking the oil. That’s because there are jobs you can’t do if your vehicle is on a slope and you can’t remove the wheels. This is important for tasks such as changing tires. And unlike ramps, jack stands are height adjustable. They also take up less storage space. Beware of cheap jack stands, which are dangerous.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about driveways. Ramps can be a great addition to your garage because they are easier to use than jack stands and can significantly reduce the time it takes to perform certain tasks, such as the aforementioned oil changes. As far as we’re concerned, tools that save us time are often worth the investment. If you want to take a quick look under your car, ramps are the better choice for that very reason. However, if your budget only allows for one or the other, we recommend purchasing jack stands so you can keep your car up for whatever job you need to do. Later, you might think about adding slopes to your repertoire.

Jack stands, of course, have their drawbacks. They cannot be used on their own and must be used in conjunction with your jack. Additionally, setting up with jack stands takes longer than using ramps. Jack stands are stable, but only if they are placed accurately under the frame of your car (or at the points indicated in the owner’s manual if you have a one-piece car) and on a level sidewalk or very firm surface. Otherwise, they could slip, which is the last thing you want when you’re under your car.

To use jack stands, place them on a firm, level surface, preferably on the sidewalk. Jack up the car using the correct jacking points, slightly higher than the desired height. Install the jack stands, adjust them to the correct height and lock them in place. Then lower the car onto the stand. Do not remove the jack. Jack stands must be used in pairs, one pair per axle.

There are many jobs that cannot be done if the car is on a slope. If you need to remove a wheel or access the entire undercarriage, forget it. You also need more space to use ramps than you do for floor jacks. This includes space to drive up and down the driveways, as well as space for storage. Another disadvantage is that they are difficult to use for low-riding cars, although they do create low-profile ramps, and some use 2×10 “ramps” with mixed results.

To use your ramps, make sure your wheels are straight and place your ramps directly in front of the tires. Then slowly drive your tires up the slopes. Some recommend having a second person guide you up the slopes. Once you are in the driveway, engage the emergency brake and place a block behind the wheels that are on the ground. Once you have finished your project, carefully make your way down the slopes.

Of course, braking is not allowed on slopes. Removing your drivetrain is another job that will involve working with jack stands. Are you working on your suspension or replacing wheel bearings? Pull out the jack stands.

Jack stands are a better choice for exhaust work where you need access to the entire undercarriage. If you just check the exhaust, you can usually get by with ramps. However, if you are doing more complicated work on the exhaust, it is often easier to use jack stands. This is partly because ramps aren’t really designed to accommodate all four wheels at once. They must be used for one axis at a time. Some have put their car on four slopes at the same time, but we don’t recommend that. It’s better to put the car on jack stands if you need to lift both ends, but make sure you use four jack stands instead of settling for two.

Sometimes all you have to do is crawl under your car to inspect the undercarriage, look at the exhaust, or find a leak. Slopes can also be excellent for this. Depending on the ramp height, you usually have enough room to get far enough under your car to get a good view. Basically, if the job is simple and you want it to be quick and easy, ramps are usually the best choice. If you’re looking for a set of ramps, check out this comparative torture test of car ramps.

By comparison, ramps are often rated by the GVW (gross vehicle weight) of the entire car. In other words, if a pair of ramps is suitable for vehicles with a GVW of up to 4 tonnes, it means that they can handle both axles of a car with a GVW of 4 tonnes. Together they can handle about 2 tons, because they can only lift one axle at a time. Be sure to read the specifications carefully to determine if the ramp weights are for GVW or some other weight.

Depending on the job, jack stands or ramps may be a good choice. Just be safe and don’t get crushed.