ramps for oil changing - why? how?

[drckiss06]

I want to start changing my oil my self and I understand I may not be able to fit under the car so ramps WOULD make this easier but how does all of the oil and deposits drain out if the car is angled back? Just wondering.

 

[LuS1fer]

Matter of how you do it. The main thing is loosening the sump plug for which you need leverage hence height. Once it's loose, you can park the front wheels on a pair of bricks which should be enough to get a bowl under. The sump plug is at the back of the sump anyway so it will be the lowest point.

 

[srothfuss]

I prefer to use Jacks & Jack Stands when changing any oil (no matter what car.) The reason being: The ramp can move or shift as you drive up or down. Typically, the movement of the ramp is enough to drop the car to the ground causing damage to the painted surfaces of your vehicle.

This isn't always the case, but it can happen so I avoid using them.

Other Tips:

Make sure the oil is warm. Cold Oil doesn't flow out of the pan very well.

Use a rag when it's time to remove the oil filter. This way, any warm oil doesn't get on your skin (causing possible burns)

Don't forget to check for the filter gasket. If you double gasket the new filter, it makes for quite the oil spray show

 

[tr7driver]

for what its worth, my experience with ramps is that they scoot forward before you get up them (or when you are backing off). Just roll a floor jack under it and support the car with jack stands. Its less hassle than the ramps.

 

[ShowYa06]

Jack stands here always. I am not saying ramps are no good but I have to agree with everyone here.

 

[hotrodnut]

If using ramps I have a partially sloped driveway, so when positioned in the slope part, my car is level when on the ramps. Otherwise, when done inside the garage I use jack stands all around.

A note to the slipping ramps, I've had metal ones and they do scoot when trying to get on them. I have some of the ramps now made by RhinoRamps® that are polymer material and have a rubber base so they do not slip.

 

[1fastTbird]

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/mwramps/index.htm

I made a set of ramps similar to these after I lowered a one of my cars and couldn't pull it up onto my tall, steel ramps. They work great.
The good: they are low profile; they are heavy so they won't slide or push out of the way; very safe
The Bad: they are heavy; you have to have a place to store them

 

[gp001]

For those having issues with moving ramps: Get some small diameter rope (I think I used cothesline) and tie them to the front of the ramp (my Rhino ramps have a hole for this). Postition the ramps as you would normally (up against the tire), then roll the car back a foot or so and lay out the rope. As you roll forward toward the ramp you will roll onto the rope keeping the ramp from moving.

 

[66-&-06]

I use some 2x10 boards screwed together (see cheesy ASCII art below). Lay the assembly behind the front wheels and back onto the boards. Enough room to change the oil, they don't move when backing onto them and no worry of collapse.

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[Randyp]

While we're on this subject, is it okay to use the differential as a jacking point for the floor jack? My owner's manual says not to do this, but I used to do it on my old Fox Mustang with no problems.