This may be the wrong place to post this question, but I wasn't able to post in DIY:

I want to jack up my 06x to check on my E-brake because it will not engage after depressing the pedal all the way down (I'm assuming the cable is broken) and do an oil change while I'm down there. However, on all the jacking methods I have seen, it seems that engaging the parking brake is an essential safety step, which makes obvious sense. Is there a way to safely jack up my car without an E-brake and without compromising my safety?

 

Yes. You can use chalks to prevent the car from rolling. I personally would feel safer jacking up both sides and getting all 4 corners on jackstands. Also I am certain you will, but don't forget to use jackstands in any application you end up using

 

Yeah I would definitely use jack stands, and I was leaning towards using all four, but I just wanted to make sure it was safe to jack up the car without the parking brake, particularly for the front two before I lift the rear.

Thanks!

 

This ^ is the correct answer, never get under your car without using jackstands!
Gary

 

I do it all the time. First the front goes up on jack stands, and then I lift the rear.

I use the e brake and chock blocks until in the air, the e brake off.

I have 4 chock blocks and chock whatever two wheels stay on the ground...usually rear since I Obly lift the front for oil changes

 

Where do you place the jack stands? At the factory jack points? It's a pain with side skirts. I'm always concerned I'm going to damage them.

 

I was actually wondering something similar now that I think about it. I've seen a few different ways, most people use custom machined adapters. I definitely don't have the skill set to make those. But I have heard of people using any generic ones with no problem.

I'm just not sure if people place it perpendicular across the "pinch point weld" (the part sticking out if I am correct about the name of it) or parallel just inside of it.

I am new to this and very amateur so sorry if I'm asking basic questions.

 

I place my stands up front on the subframe that the front lower control arms bolt to. My cars not lowered, so I slide my jack under the control arm, lift it up, and place the stand under the main frame area that the arms bolt to.

 

QFT
I also keep the floor jack under the corner I am working on as an extra safety measure. I have seen jack stand give out due to bad placement (I had just stepped away, scared the crap out me) and the stand collapse (not me).

 

I also put the tire I take off under the edge of the car (if I can without it getting in the way, either the front/back or side of the car). I figure as much bumper between me and a falling car as possible.

 

Agree!