Raising and supporting light vehicles (ie. cars) - some thoughts and observations.

Get this wrong and there's lots of ways you can do serious damage to yourself or your car. Just don't get under any car supported on a jack - any jack - unless backed up with supplementary support - like axle stands etc. I've seen plenty of evidence by way of distorted floor panels, damaged suspension parts and even one where the floor had been pushed up because someone tried to support the car by corroded floor panels. Look carefully for weakness caused by rust and whatever you're doing, do it slowly. I mean jack it up slowly and as the weight is taken listen for scrunchy crackling noises which might indicate a rusty part is failing. similar advice after you've placed the axle stands, Let the pressure off the jack very slowly and look and listen attentively as they take the weight. If the seats start going up inside the car you've got a big problem!

Never jack in the middle of the rear axle or under the engine sump.

Just take it slowly until you really get a feel for it and never ever take anything for granted. Above all, never let anyone stay in the vehicle while you're working on it. This is especially true if doing a roadside wheel change using the supplied "suicide" jack where even quite a small movement inside the car might cause it to destabilize and fall off the jack. This can be hard if it's a nasty day but you'll all really regret it if you're stuck with a car on it's belly and you've got to wait maybe hours for a breakdown recovery vehicle.