I had a very close call this morning and my life flashed before me. I decided to remove my right front tires to check something and used a hydraulic jack to lift the vehicle. I was thinking of not using a jack stand as I am not thinking of going under the vehicle but my angel tapped me to say "dont be lazy and get the bloody stand!" So I did and placed it just below the suspension arms. After I removed the wheel and turned to the side to roll of wheel I just heard a "TUD" sound. Looked at the vehicle and it is resting on the jack stand and saw hydaulic fluid leaking from the lift. I was like "ohhhh ****!!" If I did not place that jack stand the gle would hit the ground hard, damage potentially the suspension arms, brake assembly, maybe even the frame where the hudraulic stand was located and if I have my arm or head leaning inside the wheel well god knows what could have happened. The jack is 8 years old and has a 4 ton rating. So guys whatever you do when lifting your vehicle always use a jack stand or any hard object to act as secondary support.

Only put a support, under a floor jacked car, thick enough as you want your body to be.

I trust not even jack stands. Any time I'm underneath, I use Rhino-ramps and wheel chocks. I've never had any problem with hydraulic trolley jacks, but I don't trust them either.

Agree with the ramps, as long as you are not changing tires, the ramp is safer. That said, Quicklift jack might be worth investing in.

I always use a hydraulic jack to lift the vehicle, then I place one or two jack stands under the arm. After that, I slowly lower the car until it rests securely on the jack stands, while keeping a bit of tension on the hydraulic jack as a safety measure.

I hate to use the OEM Mercedes jack. I had to use one on my CLK back in the day due to a flat tire on the side of the road and the Jack gave out and my arm was almost crushed between the top of the tire and the rear fender. I had to call my friend to bring his jack. My father almost got crushed under his vehicle he used metal ramps and that gave way. Lucky I was there and pulled him out by his legs. Now I just use a 2 post lift at my friends shops. Always support the vehicles with good sturdy jack stands. That reminds me I need to see why my Snap-On 3 ton jack leaking oil and I need to get a pole for my Craftsman low-profile jack.

No more laying on my back those days are over for me.

Corollary: Don't point the pressure washer at any body parts you want to keep.

I also use the method where I place the jack stand and then also keep a little bit of tension on the jack. So they're each others' backups.