Going to start changing my own oil..question

[HARTZSKY]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: HARTZSKY
Now all I have to do is figure out where the darn filters are and I should be good to go.


Are you talking about the oil filter? Sometimes the owner's manual will tell you where the oil filter is, otherwise you might be able to find it just by looking under the hood. If you don't see it under the hood, it's probably easily visible from underneath the car.

Yeah, the oil filter. I have 3 cars and the filter is not visiible from the top on any of them.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
I just jack up one side a few inches so I can fit the drain pan underneath. If I wanted to use jackstands I would have to jack up the car a lot! Not needed imo. I don't put my head under the car too much either so if I notice anything peculiar I'm ready to jump out of the way. It takes only about a minute to undo the drain bolt.


Obviously you have never seen anything hydraulic fail and fall to the ground. Happens faster than you can react.

Find a shorter jack stand.

 

[demarpaint]

I've used the 3 ton floor jack and stands for years. I just picked up a set of Rhino Ramps the 8 ton set for about $30. I didn't think the 12 ton set was worth the extra cash for a 4200lb vehicle, besides its only the front that's coming off the ground. Now all the jack will be used for is brakes, tire rotations and grease jobs. The ramps are a [censored] of a lot faster.

Frank D

 

[Yuk]

I vote for Rhino Ramps too. I have seen metal ramps fail because the screws holding the braces backed out. If you do use metal ramps, wedge axle stands half an inch beneath the frame.

 

[StevieC]

My dad is a mechanic of over 35 years and he would never just use a jack without 2 support stands as a safety back-up. It only takes a second to loose your life, and it only takes a minute to save it by using proper safety equipment.

Don't forget to put a wheel chuck under the back wheeles to stop it from rolling away. Emergency brakes are not enough.

If you use ramps, make sure you still use the chuck behind the rear wheels.

 

[HARTZSKY]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
My dad is a mechanic of over 35 years and he would never just use a jack without 2 support stands as a safety back-up. It only takes a second to loose your life, and it only takes a minute to save it by using proper safety equipment.

Don't forget to put a wheel chuck under the back wheeles to stop it from rolling away. Emergency brakes are not enough.

If you use ramps, make sure you still use the chuck behind the rear wheels.

:cheers1
Forgot all about the chucks. Thx for the tip!

 

[cos]

I use a 3 ton floor jack and a jack stand. This setup allows me to me lower the car after I pull the drainplug out of the engine, trans or radiator - I always get more out that way.

 

[StevieC]

No worries!

Good Luck, and try not to get addicted to changing your oil like the rest of us oil-nuts

 

[rg200amp]

I do not cahnge my own oil much anymore(only get charged 11 bucks when I bring my own oil and filter)

When I did change my oil on my Lincoln, I would just drive half my car on the curb out side my house. FREE and VERY VERY VERY stable!!!

 

[jcwit]

Just buried a guy here that thought all he needed was a jack. I suppose he thought he was quick enough to get out from under too.

 

[StevieC]

My SUV is high enough off the ground that I can drain the oil using the F-moto valve I bought, and the filter is in the front under and access panel in the Skid plate. It's great... I can change it in like 10 minutes... Filter & All!

 

[scoobie]

i use a piece of lumber, to transition the tire to a steel ramp. my drain plug is on the driver side, so i drive the passenger side tire up the plank/steel ramp. that way the car is tipped to one side, and the oil drains out more completely that way. if your drain is to the back, then you drive up one pair of ramps, if the drain is on passenger side, then put the plank/ramp on the drivers side wheel. i like ramps the best. much easier than jacking a car

 

[oilboy123]

Rhino sells an 8000 and 12000 version. The bigger one is wider and if you have a real big truck it is nice to have.

 

[HARTZSKY]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Rhino sells an 8000 and 12000 version. The bigger one is wider and if you have a real big truck it is nice to have.

Im going to have to get the 1200, cuz one of my vehicles is a conversion van.

 

[Seth]

I use jack stands (jack is just a way to raise the vehicle) and they are better solution than ramps. Reason being that my drive way is inclined and I cannot use ramps on the road (which btw is inclined as well) inside our townhouse complex. Also, one cannot always use public space for oil changes. So, in a nut shell I have no way to use ramps. However, I will say that do not rely on jack alone but always make sure that you use jack STANDS. Both are not one and the same (incase a casual reader mistook above posts).

 

[Black_Thunder]

ramps are best, instead sometimes if i need more room, i'll use one ramp and then jack the other side up and use a jack-stand.

i've always used 2 sets of ramps but on my 4wheel drive vehicles, sure does give ya lots of room underneath to check over everything

 

[tsmay51]

Another vote for rhino ramps. I bought the 12000 lb set because of my truck. They were only like 7 bucks more than the 8000 lb ramps. I have jack stands as well. Ramps are easier and less time consuming.

 

[PF52]

I've never liked ramps but always use jack stands if I have to get get body parts under the car. However, most vehicles I've owned I've been able to reach under to get the filter and drain plug without needing any lifting. Sometimes I have to experiment to find the best angle of attack, but its hands down the safest method.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

I prefer ramps for oil changes.

If using a jack, definitely use jack stands.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: tsmay51
Another vote for rhino ramps. I bought the 12000 lb set because of my truck. They were only like 7 bucks more than the 8000 lb ramps. I have jack stands as well. Ramps are easier and less time consuming.


You just sold me on the 12000 lb version. I bought the 8000 lb ramps, didn't unpack them yet, but I think the widder tread area is a plus for me and probably worth the extra coins.

Frank D