Do You Need Jack Stands With Car Ramps?

On this page (8 sections)

1. Do you need jack stands with ramps for an oil change?
2. When does the repair require jack stands instead?
3. Can you put a jack stand under a car that's on ramps?
4. How do you choose equipment that fits your car?
5. How should you chock the wheels with ramps?
6. What is the right order for setting up car ramps?
7. Which mistakes should you avoid during use and storage?
8. Do you need jack stands with ramps, or a different setup?

You usually don't need jack stands with ramps for an oil change or similar work that your vehicle and ramp instructions allow. You do need suitable ramps, wheel chocks, and a hard, flat, level work surface.

The repair decides which support system to use. Ramps hold the tires, while jack stands support approved vehicle points after lifting, so adding stands isn't an automatic safety upgrade.

Do you need jack stands with ramps for an oil change?

Usually, a matched pair of ramps is enough for an oil change if both the vehicle and ramp instructions allow it. The wheels stay attached, and the ramps provide access beneath one end of the vehicle.

Before buying, check where the drain plug and filter sit. Extra height won't help if a ramp blocks the space where you need to reach or place a drain pan.

Ramps also leave the vehicle tilted. Follow your vehicle's instructions for draining the oil and checking its final level, which may require returning the car to level ground.

These Amazon Basics ramps suit routine maintenance where the tires can remain supported throughout the job. Their reinforced plastic construction and weight of about 9.24 lb each make them an option for buyers who move equipment between storage and the work area.

Skip them if your tires exceed their 12 in width limit or your vehicle can't clear the approach. They measure 35.51 in long, 11.97 in wide, and 8.07 in high, so check storage space too.

For a low bumper or long front overhang, read what car ramps fit a low car before choosing. The words “low profile” alone don't confirm that your car will clear a ramp.

When does the repair require jack stands instead?

Choose a separate stand-supported setup when the repair requires removing a wheel or unloading the suspension. Follow the vehicle's service procedure because some jobs need support in specific places or at specific suspension positions.

Brake work and wheel removal are common reasons to choose stands. Ramps keep the tires loaded and in place, which prevents access to parts behind the wheel.

A jack raises the vehicle; a stand supports it at an approved point. Never work underneath a vehicle held only by a hydraulic jack.

The BIG RED pair suits car owners whose approved support points fit its saddles and 11-1/4 to 16-3/4 in height range. Its welded steel frames and broad bases provide the structure needed for that separate setup.

The pair has a 3 ton capacity, but don't assume that means 3 tons per stand. Read the equipment's capacity instructions and account for the load being supported.

Skip this BIG RED model for an SUV or truck, since its stated vehicle restrictions exclude them. Also skip it if your car requires a different saddle shape or more support height.

Do you need jack stands with ramps for wheel removal?

Use a separate lifting and stand-support procedure for wheel removal. Don't jack a tire off a ramp simply to turn an oil-change setup into a brake-work setup.

Raising the vehicle changes its position relative to the ramps. Start again on the ground so you can place the jack and stands according to the vehicle's instructions.

Can you put a jack stand under a car that's on ramps?

Combine ramps and stands only when the vehicle and equipment instructions explicitly permit that arrangement. A reachable support point doesn't confirm that the combined setup is suitable.

A stand placed beneath a car with a gap above its saddle isn't carrying the vehicle. Don't count that unused stand as an approved backup support.

Likewise, don't raise a stand until it pushes against the vehicle and changes how the tires rest on the ramps. Adding contact without an approved procedure can change the support arrangement.

If the repair needs stands, drive off the ramps as directed before starting the separate lifting procedure. Our guide to how many jack stands you need explains how the number relates to the work area and support plan.

How do you choose equipment that fits your car?

Match capacity, tire fit, clearance, and support height to your vehicle and repair. Buying equipment with a higher load limit doesn't solve a poor fit.

For the Amazon Basics ramps, the limits are 3,250 lb per ramp and 6,500 lb per pair. Check the load carried at the supported end and follow every applicable limit in the ramp instructions.

Don't compare the pair's capacity with vehicle weight alone and stop there. Individual ramp limits still apply, and cargo can change how much weight each end carries.

For stands, measure the support height needed and identify the approved contact points before lifting. The saddle must suit those points without improvised blocks, loose spacers, or homemade adapters.

The Amazon Basics pair suits sedan owners who want a self-locking ratchet without a separate locking key. Its maximum support height is 16.34 in, and the steel frames have a rustproof coating.

Skip it when that height won't reach the approved support points or the required load exceeds its 3 ton pair capacity. A coating also doesn't remove the need to inspect the frames and locking parts.

Compare saddle fit and height options in best jack stands for cars. Choose those details before deciding which adjustment mechanism you prefer.

How should you chock the wheels with ramps?

Chock the wheels that remain on the ground, using the positions and number required by your equipment instructions. The parking brake and chocks serve different roles, so use both as directed.

Choose chocks sized for the tires and suited to the surface. Don't assume that a 2-pack covers every vehicle or support arrangement.

The MaxxHaul pair suits buyers who want solid rubber chocks with handles for placement and storage. Check that their shape seats firmly against your tires before relying on them.

Skip these if they don't fit the tire contact area properly or your procedure requires more chocks. A handle is useful, but fit matters more than convenience.

Their oil-resistant rubber doesn't make an oily garage floor acceptable for ramps. Clean and dry the work area, and don't use ramps on a slope or loose ground because a chock can grip there.

What is the right order for setting up car ramps?

Prepare the surface and align the ramps before moving the car. Keep everyone clear of the vehicle's path and have an exit plan if you can't position it correctly.

1. Read the vehicle and ramp instructions, including the approved direction of approach and parking steps.
2. Inspect both ramps and clear away grit, oil, water, and loose objects.
3. Place the matched pair squarely in line with the front or rear tires on the same axle.
4. Check bumper clearance and tire width before driving onto the incline.
5. Drive slowly, keep the steering straight, and avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
6. Stop with both tires centered in their intended resting positions.
7. Secure the transmission as directed, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and chock the grounded wheels.

Check placement from outside before going underneath. If a ramp moved, a tire overhangs, or either wheel stopped in the wrong place, drive off as directed and reset the equipment.

Don't try to reposition a loaded ramp by hand. For more on surface choice and positioning, read are car ramps safe.

Which mistakes should you avoid during use and storage?

Avoid improvised height, mixed supports, and repairs that the ramps don't permit. A stable setup at the start can become unsuitable if the job changes how the vehicle is supported.

Don't stack ramps on boards or blocks to gain height. Don't use a mismatched pair, support only one side, or place ramps under both ends when the instructions permit only one axle.

The Amazon Basics ramps specifically prohibit disconnecting major drivetrain, brake, gearbox, or engine components while the vehicle rests on them. Choose equipment and a support procedure approved for the actual repair.

Inspect ramps before every use for cracks, deformation, and damaged or missing rubber feet. Remove damaged equipment from service instead of patching it for one more job.

Keep stand saddles, ratchet teeth, and locking parts free of debris, and inspect for bent parts, damaged welds, or corrosion. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions rather than applying lubricant to every moving surface.

Store ramps and chocks clean and dry, and protect stands from moisture. Before driving off, clear tools and drain pans, then remove chocks only at the step specified by the ramp instructions.

Do you need jack stands with ramps, or a different setup?

Use ramps for approved work with the tires attached; choose stands for work that requires approved chassis support or wheel removal. Buy around your next repair rather than adding extra equipment beneath a ramp-supported car.

Choose the Amazon Basics ramps if their load limits, approach, and tire fit suit your maintenance work. Pair them with properly fitting chocks, such as the MaxxHaul set when its size and quantity meet your instructions.

Choose the BIG RED or Amazon Basics stands only when their height, capacity, and saddle fit match your car's support procedure. For a broader comparison, see car ramps vs jack stands, or compare suitable options in best car ramps.

You usually don't need jack stands with ramps, but you do need a support plan that matches the job. Before planning a stand-supported repair, check how many jack stands you need.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need jack stands when my car is on ramps?

Usually, no, if the vehicle and ramp instructions allow the repair with the tires supported. Use a matched pair on a hard, flat, level surface, center the tires, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels on the ground before working beneath the vehicle.

Can I put jack stands under a car while it is on ramps?

Use that combination only if the vehicle and equipment instructions explicitly permit it; a stand that reaches a support point may still be unsuitable for the arrangement. If the repair requires stand support, drive off the ramps as directed and begin a separate lifting procedure.

Should I use wheel chocks with car ramps?

Yes, chock the wheels that stay on the ground and set the parking brake as directed. Position the chocks according to the equipment instructions, using enough to restrain movement in the required directions; chocks limit rolling; they don't replace suitable ramps or a hard, level work surface.

Are ramps or jack stands safer?

Choose by the repair and the approved support procedure; ramps carry the tires and suit some maintenance jobs with the wheels attached. Jack stands support designated vehicle points after lifting and allow wheel removal when the procedure permits it; neither setup makes an unsuitable surface or overloaded equipment safe.