Floor jack and jack stands? Ramps? If you use ramps, how do you make sure you don't overshoot and end of the ramps? I have a 6 speed so 2 footing it isn't possible. Would it be safe to back the car into the garage and set the ramps at the top edge of the driveway and drive onto them that way so the incline is less steep? How hard is the filter to get to from below?

um.......ramps>jacks or stands....much safer imo

if there is a difference in the levels of the garrage floor and the driveway put the back of the ramps against them, or find somehting so that the ramps will not slide and become uneven, a few degrees in the angle won't make much of a difference, and no the filter is not hard to get too.

What's wrong with jack stands? I know working under a car supported by a hydraulic jack isn't good because you're toast if the jack fails. But aren't jack stands pretty safe if you get a set that's more than strong enough for the weight of the car?

Dealer...$40 Cdn.

...$29USD

I use the oil boy extractor, but every now and then I will do it the traditional way so I can replace the washer, etc. I bought rhino ramps from sears, they are perfect for cars with a low profile. I also have a six speed so what I do is put the ramps right infront of the wheels to make sure I am not misaligned, then I just ease over the ramps. You will feel your car reach the flat part of the ramps, you really have to accelerate hard to overshoot the end of the ramps. Like everyone else said, put something behind the rear tires and the filter is easy to get to.

If you keep the invoices from these oil changes like I do. It holds the value of the car longer since it proves it has been maintained. I keep all my services invoices on my car.

my boys garage $20USD, with 4 quarts of mobil 1 synthetic and a mobil 1 oil filter

You know it's 4.6 qts not 4qts for an oil change + filter, right?

Jack stands are plenty safe for an oil change... that's what I use in my garage at home. Hell, that's what I've used for just about all of my maintenance.

The oil filter is easy to get to... located little in from the front passenger wheel. An oil filter wrench is not a bad thing to have for the job, since they can be a bitch to remove sometimes.

me three...

I use ramps and just make sure my parking brake is on.
I used to have a manual trans. as well and never had a problem with driving it up the ramp...if you are any good with a stick, the ramps are not a problem, like it's been said before, you would have to give it quite a bit of gas to over shoot...

B

Dealership in the winter, ramps in the summer. I have no garage.

well you know what i mean

i dont change my oil myself (yet) but usually when i need ot get under a car i was taught use jacks to get under it and throw some little stand under the frame and let it sit on those

and just throw some blocks of wood under the frame "in case shit"

block of wood = free & reliable backup

No need to lift the car for me. Oil extractor works well.

You can get an all-synthetic oil change at WalMart for ~ $25.

i tried to find my thread on it but couldnt

jack stands.

I both do the jiffy lube and myself route but. If I do it myself I use a jack and stands. if i'm at my girl's uncle's he has a lift(which is really nice because you just walk under it pull the plug and filter, let it drain, put on the new filter, put in the plug, dump in new oil, and put on your sticker and your ready to roll.

i go to where a friend works and put it on a lift.

Last time I used my oil extractor it took 5 quarts to fill to proper levels. Maybe I used an oversized filter....

I had a very close freind of the family working on his car have jack stands fail on him, killing him instantly due to having his head crushed....the stands were rated to more than 2x's the weight of the car too...pretty fucked up

Ramps seem more conveiant too....