Changing oil & ramps

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paulri

paulri

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I’ve been on BITOG too long. I now want to change my oil.

I see many advocate using ramps. Any downside to that? I think this might make it easier to reach stuff when I need to tighten/twist, which IIRC was why I stopped changing it myself many moons ago. I have not tried on either of my two current vehicles yet.

FWIW, I would be doing this on a flat gravel driveway, although I’d obviously clear away the rock for doing this. Garage is storage at this point. The chance of me owning anything heavier than a Sienna is incredibly unlikely, so I don’t think I’d need anything more heavy duty than what I linked to, below.

I found this online: http://www.autozone.com/engine-and-vehicle-lift/ramp/hopkins-12000-lbs-rhinoramps-max/89618_0_0/

http://www.walmart.com/ip/RhinoRamps-Black/19526658?reviews_limit=10&

Walmart has ramps for $8 less. If the difference in quality would matter, I would have no problem buying the AZ ramps but of course if I can save 8 bucks I’d like to.

Finally, I assume I’d also need a wrench. These tools look pretty simple, under $10 at AZ. Are there any brands that folks would recommend I avoid? Any that are better than the others? Or do you folks twist them on/off by hand only?

I have some time to get this organized. I just changed the oil in both, within the last month. I just want to know what to look for, in case I see something on sale.
 
Spend a bit more cash and get metal ramps. Obviously, the plastic ramps sell and people use them but I personally dont want to get under my car at the mercy of plastic.
 
I was never a fan of ramps up until a few years ago when I bought a set of Rhino HD ramps. They make changing oil or doing work under the car a lot easier than a jack and jack stands for work not requiring removing wheels or needing extra height. When I need to get under one of our Jeeps I pop them into 4L and all I have to do is take my foot off the brake and up it goes w/o giving it giving it any gas.

If you go with the Rhino ramps get the 16,000 lb. set. You can always put a set of jack stands under the vehicle for added safety when using ramps.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If you go with the Rhino ramps get the 16,000 lb. set. You can always put a set of jack stands under the vehicle for added safety when using ramps.


I can go from 12 to 16 thousand lbs for an extra 10 bucks, so that wouldn't be a problem. Why would you recommend that? The sienna is nowhere near 12,000 lbs, and I don't see myself buying anything heavier.
 
Originally Posted By: paulri
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If you go with the Rhino ramps get the 16,000 lb. set. You can always put a set of jack stands under the vehicle for added safety when using ramps.


I can go from 12 to 16 thousand lbs for an extra 10 bucks, so that wouldn't be a problem. Why would you recommend that? The sienna is nowhere near 12,000 lbs, and I don't see myself buying anything heavier.


For $10 why not? That's how I look at it. At the time when I bought mine they didn't offer 16K or I would have bought them. But you're right 12K is plenty that's what I'm using.
 
Since mid 90's when first purchased yellow metal Ultra Ramps and then separate extentions for an Accord, always been a ramp guy. Still own the Ultra Ramps made in US and still sold, black color now at Harbor Freight. Unfortunately, the extentions are not to be found and that makes them near useless for low profile vehicles without rigging something else to them.

A couple/few years back bought the 16k Rhinos at AAP on sale and code, really like them. A bit wider than the Ultras and stackable/nestable. They have worked great. EZ

Looks like the 16k Rhinos can be purchased from pepboys at ebay for abt $5 more than 12k. Extra measure of safety would be worth that to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181687363117?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
 
A couple 2X8s screwed together with one end being staggered for an approach works here.
 
Originally Posted By: Sayjac

A couple/few years back bought the 16k Rhinos at AAP on sale and code, really like them. A bit wider than the Ultras and stackable/nestable. They have worked great. EZ

Looks like the 16k Rhinos can be purchased from pepboys at ebay for abt $5 more than 12k. Extra measure of safety would be worth that to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181687363117?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true


Very nice find. They're actually cheaper than the 12,000 lbs that I had linked to.


One more question about ramps. Would it be a problem using them on dirt? I have a cement driveway, but it is slanted downhill and I'm not sure that woudl make sense to use ramps there.
 
Originally Posted By: cmhj
A couple 2X8s screwed together with one end being staggered for an approach works here.

My first ramps were wood DIY, still have them though the Rhino are the go-to ramps now.
I like your stagger idea for the wood as they sometimes slide on the concrete floor.
 
Originally Posted By: Lubener
Jack and jackstands for me. I stay away from ramps.


+1 Takes up less space and I feel more comfortable under the vehicle knowing I have jackstands and not hard plastic.
 
Originally Posted By: paulri



One more question about ramps. Would it be a problem using them on dirt? I have a cement driveway, but it is slanted downhill and I'm not sure that woudl make sense to use ramps there.


Don't use them on dirt!!!!!!!!!!! Level cement is best.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint

Don't use them on dirt!!!!!!!!!!! Level cement is best.


Never mind. I can't believe this. I do have plenty of level cement in teh driveway. It is slanted, but evidently not as much as I thought. Just checked.
33.gif
 
rhino ramps are great. i make a mental note to throw it out every 8 years for safety and buy a new set.
 
Quote:
.. I do have plenty of level cement in teh driveway. It is slanted, but evidently not as much as I thought. Just checked.

That's good to read because I was going to say, clear out the garage. lol

As for 16k Rhino find, it's ~$10 less than current PB b&m store price, so not sure how long it will last.
 
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Quote:
.. I do have plenty of level cement in teh driveway. It is slanted, but evidently not as much as I thought. Just checked.

That's good to read because I was going to say, clear out the garage. lol


If I had to do that, I would keep on paying my mechanic $25 labor for changing my oil. It would have been a LOT easier and simpler.
eek.gif


Quote:

As for 16k Rhino find, it's ~$10 less than current PB b&m store price, so not sure how long it will last.


I'll get that soon. I see that price isn't beat online wherever I've looked.
 
Ramps are good.


Now I'm thinking about a wrench. Is that helpful? Anyone do it by hand? Are there any brands to get/avoid?
 
Originally Posted By: paulri
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If you go with the Rhino ramps get the 16,000 lb. set. You can always put a set of jack stands under the vehicle for added safety when using ramps.


I can go from 12 to 16 thousand lbs for an extra 10 bucks, so that wouldn't be a problem. Why would you recommend that? The sienna is nowhere near 12,000 lbs, and I don't see myself buying anything heavier.

add/build at least a pair of wheels chokes!
 
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