Jack stands vs. ramps

[s2cmpugh]

Good day everyone. Which do you prefer and why? I've used both, but for some reason I feel much safer with the car on ramps. Not sure what it is, but lately I've had this fear of getting under the car and it falling on me even if I'm using two jack stands on the front to support it. Am I crazy or losing my touch in my old age??

Thanks

[ibr_adam09]

When used correctly jack stands are utterly safe. I prefer ramps however just because it's so quick when I need to do a job under the car that doesn't require messing with the wheel or suspension.

The only thing with ramps is I feel like you have to rely on your ebrake a lot more more so the car doesn't roll back.

[JoshM]

I prefer ramps, because I feel the car isn't going anywhere as long as I have wheel chocks in place.
Car jacks, when used for suspension/brakes, make me feel like the car could shift at any moment when pulling/tugging on a tool or a part and fall off the jacks.

[92smokeaccord]

ramps are for getting at things under the car with out needing to take the tires off...
jack stands are the oppasite...
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------------------what ever how u spell it....

[GeoffM]

I used to use ramps. I stopped for a few reasons.

1. Mine are old and kinda rusty. Scratches from rust aren't fun.
2. It takes 2 people. One driving up, and one spotting. The spotter tells you when you reach the top so you can stop.
3. Even with a spotter, it's very easy to shoot off the end of the ramps.
4. Without a spotter, it's easy to put it in park before you reach the top. If you do that, you'll hear a loud SLAM when you take it out of park.

Ramps are still useful though. I've lent them to several people who've driven over curbs and were stuck. Combo of that and a hydraulic jack got them out.

[cb7_with_snail]

Jacks ftw

[JoshM]

1. Mine are old and kinda rusty. Scratches from rust aren't fun.
2. It takes 2 people. One driving up, and one spotting. The spotter tells you when you reach the top so you can stop.
3. Even with a spotter, it's very easy to shoot off the end of the ramps.
4. Without a spotter, it's easy to put it in park before you reach the top. If you do that, you'll hear a loud SLAM when you take it out of park.

1.) Buy new ramps.
2.) Park the car. Put ramps directly in front (or back) of the tires. Drive straight forward (or backward).
3.) Buy new ramps. Mine have a huge indention that I can feel with even my truck's tires. No way of shooting off the other side unless on purpose.
4.) Parking brake prior to releasing the brakes. That way you're stopped using the brakes, not the trans.

[almostJDM]

I only use ramps when I change my oil on the suby never the accord too low even for ramps, other then that its stands

[Theos92VR4]

I used to use ramps. I stopped for a few reasons.

1. Mine are old and kinda rusty. Scratches from rust aren't fun.
2. It takes 2 people. One driving up, and one spotting. The spotter tells you when you reach the top so you can stop.
3. Even with a spotter, it's very easy to shoot off the end of the ramps.
4. Without a spotter, it's easy to put it in park before you reach the top. If you do that, you'll hear a loud SLAM when you take it out of park.

Ramps are still useful though. I've lent them to several people who've driven over curbs and were stuck. Combo of that and a hydraulic jack got them out.

I use ramps every time I change my oil. I do it by myself and have never needed a spotter, nor have I ever driven over them.

[GeoffM]

1.) Buy new ramps.
2.) Park the car. Put ramps directly in front (or back) of the tires. Drive straight forward (or backward).
3.) Buy new ramps. Mine have a huge indention that I can feel with even my truck's tires. No way of shooting off the other side unless on purpose.
4.) Parking brake prior to releasing the brakes. That way you're stopped using the brakes, not the trans.

1. I could just re paint them
2. I scrape off a bit of lip every time I go up them
3. Mine do to. I've never driven over them. It takes a bit of power to get up them, and I'm scared that once I'm at the top I won't feel it or the leftover power will send me over.
4. No parking brake.

I use ramps every time I change my oil. I do it by myself and have never needed a spotter, nor have I ever driven over them.

Neither have I. It was the fear of driving over them that made me stop.
And the slamming noise from the trans.

[Leung]

i've seen people drive up with one side on the curb to their their oil because they didn't have ramps or a jack.

[wed3k]

i dont use stands a lot of times, i just use the jack. plus...do you check your oil at an angle?

[GeoffM]

i dont use stands a lot of times, i just use the jack. plus...do you check your oil at an angle?

I use the jack by itself only when I'm not going under the car.
Quick brake work, for example.

[short1]

Jack stands with bricks behind the wheels that stay on the ground, my car is too low for my ramps, actually I have to drive onto blocks to be able to jack it up.

[almostJDM]

I use the oem jack to lift it high enough to get a big jack under lol