Starting while on jack stands | FerrariChat

Starting while on jack stands

Discussion in '308/328' started by smb1, Oct 11, 2007.

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  1. smb1

    smb1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2007
    40
    Las Vegas
    Full Name:
    Steve
    This may be a dumb question but is it safe to start the car while on jack stands? It took me a couple of hours to get it up there properly and I want to warm the car up before I change the oil and gear oil.

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    Everything has risk, but if you have good stands that are on concrete and are placed well you should be able to run the engine.

    Just make sure it's in neutral (handbrake also a good idea) and the garage door is open (DUH!).
     
  3. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,856
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    As long as you have enough clearance between the rear tires and the ground and the jack stand is properly secured on a LEVEL surface,
    then YES it is safe to start and warm up the car.
     
  4. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    I used 6 heavy duty jack stands for my Mondial (4 for the engine cradle and 2 upfront) without a problem at all. Keep in mind that with the suspension hanging down completely it may not be a good idea to put it in gear. Could be hard on the CV joints.
     
  5. Irishman

    Irishman F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2005
    3,541
    Raleigh
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Probably safer than messing about underneath with it on the ground. I came to this conclusion whilst timing my Harley, but think the same is true with the 308.
     
  6. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    well, I've been married for 15 years and my wife would say. "Don't take short cuts". Take the time to take it off of the jacks. Drive it and then get it up there again. If it took two hours the first time, it will only take an hour the next time.

    But, I would just drain the oil cold.
    Dave
     
  7. smb1

    smb1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2007
    40
    Las Vegas
    Full Name:
    Steve
    No problems at all, thanks for the input.
     
  8. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    Hi Steve- I hope all is going well. Sounds like you've got it all sorted. I always was a little nervous running the car on the stands. I always ended up putting four stands back there just in case.

    FYI- that gear oil is almost brand new Redline MTL.

    Give me a call any time with questions. I hope you are having fun with it!

    John
     
  9. WaltP

    WaltP Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,512
    Cape Canaveral/Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Walt P
    I use 6 X 8 timbers, no way it's falling off of those.
     

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