Ramps or Floor Jack for Oil Change?

[esjones]

I'm getting ready to do my first oil change in the Vibe. If you've already done one, do you use ramps or a floor jack to raise the front of the car? I read on another thread that the front control arms are safe jacking points. I assume this means that is also where you would place the jack stands?As far as ramps go... I have a base Vibe with 5-speed. I've never attempted to pull up on ramps with a manual transmission car. Is there a trick to doing this while keeping the engine RPMs fairly low so as not to put excessive wear on the clutch?Thanks. - Earl

[Frosty]

Here is my $.02....I bought ramps, but jacks may have been the better choice. I detailed my 1st oil change with ramps here http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... 1401#11401 The ramps themselves are too steep, they contact the spoiler, so I had to buy extensions to decrease the angle of attack. If your tires are a bit wet (which isn't recommended for ramps anyway) you cannot climb up ramps easily without extensions.The "fat" 205's completely fill the ramp, no room for error. It is nice and easy to get up on them however. I have used ramps for years with no trouble, there is room for error if you don't get stopped perhaps, but I have never heard of a car falling off ramps. The one guy I know of that was crushed by his car was using jacks improperly. I would throw some wood blocks under there for safety.Jacks will allow you to do tire rotations and suspension work as well, so they maybe the better choice.Can't help you with jacking points. Check the manual, I would think you would use the points on either side of wheels.Have fun.

[NovaResource]

I didn't need jacks or ramps to change the oil in my Vibe. Plenty of ground clearance without them.

[Triton]

Did you use a creeper or did you just slide under the car on the ground?

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:I didn't need jacks or ramps to change the oil in my Vibe. Me too, do not need this, I'm going to the dealer.

[NovaResource]

quote:Did you use a creeper or did you just slide under the car on the ground?I just use a large piece of cardboard on the ground to lay on. I don't actually have to get fully under the Vibe. Basically just my arm, head and shoulder is all.

[kaybeejay]

I have been known to park the car with the two tires on the right side on the curb, and the two tires on the left side on the street. Then I skoot in with my back in the gutter. If I need a little more room, I can jack up the left side a few inches. This usually works for me.Ramps scare me. I am always worried I will drive off or overshoot, then BAM.

[Triton]

quote:I just use a large piece of cardboard on the ground to lay on. I don't actually have to get fully under the Vibe. Basically just my arm, head and shoulder is all.So the drain plug isn't too far under the Vibe then?

[Hawke]

quote:I just use a large piece of cardboard on the ground to lay on. I don't actually have to get fully under the Vibe. Basically just my arm, head and shoulder is all.Same here, plenty of room and very easy filter access.

[coratz]

kaybeejay: that reminds me of a guy who did the samething as you. only he drained the oil with 2 wheels up on the curb and all the oil right over top of a sewer grate.

[VibeGT_2003]

JUst buy a lift....................No problem then!

[cohocarl]

quote:Did you use a creeper or did you just slide under the car on the ground?I just use a large piece of cardboard on the ground to lay on. I don't actually have to get fully under the Vibe. Basically just my arm, head and shoulder is all.Same here.

[Vibe]

I certainly hope your Enviromental Agency doesn't catch your oil going in the sewer. HEAVY,HEAVY FINES!!!!!!

[ragingfish]

Anyone care to take a pic of the front underside and maybe point out to us the drain plug location?

[NovaResource]

Looking from in front of the driver side front tire:

Attached files

[NovaResource]

Looking from in front of the passenger side front tire:

Attached files

[ragingfish]

Thanks scott, those pics are great and really help a lot!Question: is this an optical illusion, or do you have a higher ground clearance than most?Just looks like any one can easily slide underneath...

[Lorin]

It's been so long since I've had a car I could just reach under that I didn't even try. I'm going to save the ramps for the Van from now on!

[NovaResource]

It must be an optical illusion. I basically had the camera on the ground pointing slightly upwards when I took those pics.

[ragingfish]

Second time I'm changing my oil. I bought ramps this time. If I put the front of the car 7 inches off the ground, will the all the oil in the pan drain out? Is the car supposed to be level when changing the oil? Thanks guys...

[NovaResource]

Having the front of the car up will actually help. The drain plug is at the rear of the oil pan so a nose-up position will help the oil flow to the drain hole.

[ragingfish]

Sweet!Thanks dude!