I agree that with ramps, you need a dry day to do the change, or a RWD vehicle, but I would definitely not feel comfortable under a vehicle only supported by a jack. That's a good way to get crushed, unless you're using stands. Even so, I feel safer with the ramps.
Using Ramps to Change Oil
- Thread starter VeeDubb
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I guess I'm lucky. My skinny butt can fit under my SHO to change the oil w/o jacks or ramps.
I would think a log could split right down the middle if the car came down on it, just like it does with a splitting maul.
Having had a car slip off of ramps and the ramps tipping over several times, I'll take a jack anyday. If you have a good jack(not the 1"dia pad cheap ones), there's no risk in slipping off. If it's anything more complicated than reaching under and pulling an oil plug, I use jackstands. Much quicker and easier than ramps.
-T
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I have no proplems draining the oil from my A4 (V6) with the car on ramps. The drain plug is on the driver side, and my garage is lightly tilted. You could also use a lower ramp on one side, and a higher ramp on the other. Rhino ramps come in various hights.
Kestas
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My whole life I've used tree logs cut to the right length instead of jack stands.
Thanks for the insight on the Audi engine. My passat has the Audi 1.8T so this info will come in handy in the future. I may just let the dealer continue to do the oil changes because the VW is PITA to reach the filter and pull off the belly pan.
I am working with a fabricator at this time trying to come up with an "access panel" for us "do it yourselfers" on Audi/VWs.....it will be large enough to allow access to the filter and drain plug without removing the underbelly, yet easy to remove and reinstall. More to follow.
I am working with a fabricator at this time trying to come up with an "access panel" for us "do it yourselfers" on Audi/VWs.....it will be large enough to allow access to the filter and drain plug without removing the underbelly, yet easy to remove and reinstall. More to follow.
Most of the recommended jacking point of modern cars are relatively flat, unlike a splitting wedge. When I found my jack didn't have enough throw to lift my Grand Am up where I could fit my old jack stands under it, I made up a couple of shorter logs, and they work fine.
I used to love changing the oil on my old Toyota Tercel. There was a central jacking point and my old floor jack worked fine, and then I put railroad ties under the wheels for safety. Ramps did not work well with the Tercel-as far as I know there were few low profile ramps available in those days.
The Saturns are a pain. No central jacking point, and it is best to use ramps.
The Saturns are a pain. No central jacking point, and it is best to use ramps.
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It takes only about 2 minutes to pop off the belly pan. On the 1.8T, I believe you can reach the filter from above.
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