[Wiskey]

Hello all!

I just moved cross country and my floor jack and jack stands had to be given to a neighbor.

I'm looking for the best way to get under the car for an oil change. Would you jack it up? Or would you use ramps if you were buying again?

What ramps have a gradual enough slope that the front doesn't hit if you would go that way?

Thank you,
Whiskey

[Fraxum]

ramps as long as your splitter if you have one clears.

[ctrlz]

There are some expensive low-profile ramps you can buy, some versions of which have a removable section allowing better access from the side once the car is up.
I will tell you what I do, and then members can flame me for being a reckless idiot. I jack the car from the front left jacking point. Once the car is up enough I put some stacked pieces of 2x6 under the front left wheel. I also put the steel ratchet bar from a jack stand under the jack pad area. Then I lower the jack until the bar is taking the weight (i.e. not the jack mechanism). And I've got the wood under the wheel. This gives me enough room to slide under and change the oil. I also chock the rear wheels.

[Eric10905]

honestly, the answer i think is whatever you, or each individual, is comfortable with and willing to buy.
I do both - ramps and jacks. As an older guy, you'd think i'd be more fearless. Apparently not in my case... I broke down and went for the expensive race ramps. they clear my front end (67" long 2 pc version). Of course i block both rear tires, both directions and then put my jack stands under the lift pads. just in case, for good measure. LOL. But it makes me feel more comfortable once i'm under the car.

[Mark114]

I bought a set of "RhinoRamp MAX" ramps. They make two sizes. The wider ramps have a higher weight rating and work better with the width of the SS rear tires. I've been using them on all my cars for years. The slope is gradual enough that I don't have any dragging. They are plastic so they need to be used on a hard flat surface.

[Jsreo]

I use Race Ramps for oil changes and a quick jack for brakes, etc.

The ramps are mush lighter to move around and work fine for oil changes

[Aragorn]

I went with regular cheap ramps, and then used a couple two by eight board as extenders.

[RWT]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

I went with regular cheap ramps, and then used a couple two by eight board as extenders.

Me too. Used the same set up with my 370Z (lower than the Camaro).

I use the 2x8s & ramps with the Camaro, drive the Equinox right up the ramps and I just slide right under my truck with no assistance required.

[foshjowler]

If all you ever plan to do is oil changes, then ramps are probably plenty. If you think there's a chance you'll want to do other things, then jack a stands are probably necessary

[DIYguy]

FWIW, I tried ramps a while ago and found them to be difficult to use (they could scoot).
So instead I invested in a pair of aluminum floor jacks and a pair of good jack stands.

My car has permanently installed jack point adapters so I place a jack under each side and raise the front in a couple of steps left and right until even.
Then I insert the jack stands for safety and I leave the jacks in place.
It takes all of 3 minutes to do.
It is pretty safe and easily far enough in the air that oil and filter changes are simple to do.
And there are of course no issues with the front splitter using this method.

Later I bought a second pair of identical jack stands and use the four of them to position the car into the air more or less level when doing transmission or exhaust work.
And I still leave the jacks in place for safety at which ever end (or side) of the car I am crawling under.

Call me paranoid, but I have had a single jack start to twist out when the opposite wheel began to skid on the garage floor.
So I know it can happen..!

[Redlinez]

^ What brand of jack and stands did you buy?

[DIYguy]

I have a pair of these floor jacks-
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton...ack-64545.html

And I have a two pairs of these jack stands-
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...nds-91760.html

If you wait for sales and use the typical discount coupons they send out it is not that expensive to do.

However if you can afford to do so, buy the higher capacity jacks-
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ump-64542.html

I used to have a 3 ton capacity steel floor jack but it was so heavy that it was a pain to use.
So I traded it for something else and bought these.
They are very nice.

[EWard]

I have the 1.5 ton HF not very impressed seems like it struggles with the weight. Costco has a great deal on the Arcan 3 ton jack for $119 and if is a night and day difference in use and quality.

https://www.costco.com/3-ton-profess...100222458.html

[DIYguy]

^^ That's why I said to buy the larger jacks if you can.
Mine aren't difficult to pump up, but I would have preferred to have the larger and wider spaced front wheels and extra safety margin.
If I ever replace them the ones you mention are likely what I would buy.
But they had nothing at our Costco at the time I purchased mine other than steel jacks.
Aluminum is the only way to go...

I should also mention that I have had one similar to this in our other garage for a very long time (but an older model).
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...ack-64544.html
It lifts my tractor quite nicely.
Even though it is aluminum it is still heavy, so I wanted something lighter to replace the one I traded away.

But I agree with you.