[The Specialist]

What to do?
I'd like to take my 18 1LE out this Holiday Weekend.
Should I put a few hundred more miles more on her or not?

Here's my story.

Purchased in October 2017.
I drove her around for a few weeks and put her away in the garage until May 18. ( Cold Winter )
May 18 released from storage.
I drove her during the few months of nice weather that we have here in NH.

1100 miles.

I put her away in the garage October 18.

Released from Storage.
I'm at just under 1200 miles and have a message on the dash, " oil is at 0 percent, change it out".

I have everything to change the oil, so I thought.

My Ramps are too low. The funnel I have will not flow at the 45 degree angle needed.

I ordered Race Ramps and a Flexible funnel..


Checking the dipstick, I'm 1/3 of a Qt Down at 1200 miles.

The oil looks clean and clear as a whistle on the stick.


Am I safe to drive this weekend until my ramps and funnel come in next week?


Or, am I grounded until I change the oil and filter out next week?

[Airfuel]

That oil could be well over 2 years old depending on when it was built.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep with that in my motor!

[Emoto]

Put planks under your ramps (I do this with 2x12's) and buy a $1.99 funnel at Walmart and change it out.

[Gunkk]

The oil life indicator is at 0% due to time, not miles. It will go to zero in a year even if you don't drive the car at all.

You'll be fine to drive it this weekend. But you do want to change your oil soon.

[The Specialist]

Thanks,
I hope you guys don't think I'm lazy and don't give a F about my 1LE.
The oil is 18 months old.
I ordered her from the dealer and have the build sheets.
My Gravel road here on the lake doesn't get graded until Mid May. So, I had to change out the oil in my other toys before the Camaro. ( see image )

The road is repaired and good to go now.


Question? I have Rhino ramps that a 6.5" tall.


I know if I mess around with her with 2x6" planks, these ramps will probably get her off the ground with minimal damage. Lol

Is 6.5" enough room to slide under and get the job done correctly?
I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing.
Not just hope and reach for the filter and drain plug.


I'm 5'10" 185. I'm guessing I won't be able to fit under her comfortably and be able to actually see what I'm doing.

[Silverado57]

Originally Posted by Airfuel

That oil could be well over 2 years old depending on when it was built.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep with that in my motor!

Ditto.
My 2017 was purchased in October 2019. I had the oil changed after about 800 miles, a few months of driving. I wasn't jerking around with it.

[RLem619]

Originally Posted by The Specialist

Thanks,


Question? I have Rhino ramps that a 6.5" tall.

Is 6.5" enough room to slide under and get the job done correctly?
I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing.
Not just hope and reach for the filter and drain plug.


I'm 5'10" 185. I'm guessing I won't be able to fit under her comfortably and be able to actually see what I'm doing.

It might be a little tight, but you should be fine. The filter will be the biggest pain.

I'm 6'2 240lbs and did mine yesterday on some Race Ramps that are 8", and had plenty of room.

[The Specialist]

Originally Posted by RLem619

It might be a little tight, but you should be fine. The filter will be the biggest pain.

I'm 6'2 240lbs and did mine yesterday on some Race Ramps that are 8", and had plenty of room.

That's great! I just ordered the RR-XT 67 10" Race Ramps from the Evil Amazon. Lol

I just want to be able to get under her and see what I'm doing.

It sucks when the wife gets home and says how was your day babe? Fine honey, while your chin and nose are bleeding.

[RLem619]

Originally Posted by The Specialist

That's great! I just ordered the RR-XT 67 10" Race Ramps from the Evil Amazon. Lol

I just want to be able to get under her and see what I'm doing.

It sucks when the wife gets home and says how was your day babe? Fine honey, while your chin and nose are bleeding.

Lol... You'll have plenty of room with the 10" ramps.

I got the 1-piece for storage, but those 2-piece ramps are sweet. They'll definitely help with getting to the drain plug and filter. You'll be able to remove half the ramp and come in from the sides of the car.

Congrats, and good luck

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by The Specialist

That's great! I just ordered the RR-XT 67 10" Race Ramps from the Evil Amazon. Lol

I just want to be able to get under her and see what I'm doing.

It sucks when the wife gets home and says how was your day babe? Fine honey, while your chin and nose are bleeding.

Those look like super nice ramps! Of course at >$300 they ought to be the finest quality.

I will confess I went cheap with these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rch_asin_title

They were only like $40. Turned out that at only 6.5" of lift, I needed the extra height of a plank under each, in order to really get under easily, but the planks were simple to do, and I am still not in conflict with my Scottish heritage that demands frugality.

[RLem619]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Those look like super nice ramps! Of course at >$300 they ought to be the finest quality.

I will confess I went cheap with these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rch_asin_title

They were only like $40. Turned out that at only 6.5" of lift, I needed the extra height of a plank under each, in order to really get under easily, but the planks were simple to do, and I am still not in conflict with my Scottish heritage that demands frugality.

The first page of reviews on amazon would be enough to keep me away.

Might want to throw some jack stands under the car before climbing under.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by RLem619

The first page of reviews on amazon would be enough to keep me away.

Might want to throw some jack stands under the car before climbing under.

I appreciate your concern, but I've used them and they're fine. Rated for 12,000 lbs. They don't even deflect a little when the car is on them. They're solid. 4 and 5 star reviews count for 86%; 92% if you include 3 star reviews. From reading those lower rated reviews, it looks like they don't know how to use ramps. *shrug*

If I wanted to spend a bunch of money, I'd get one of those Quick-Lifts like a friend uses on his Audi and Porsche, but I am frugal and disposable income is finite, so unless I have some kind of problem, I'll keep using these.

[TrackClub]

Based on the hollow construction of these ramps i would not use them even if somebody paid me to do so. Their rating aside, a single pic of a cracked ramp is proof enough. Being frugal is good, taking chances with one's noggin: not so much. Plastic is sensitive to temps and age, etc. I had used made in USA, solid material Race Ramps for years. Nothing to crack under load there. They are more money, but what's the price of safety? Anyway, play safe. Cheers!

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by TrackClub

Based on the hollow construction of these ramps i would not use them even if somebody paid me to do so. Their rating aside, a single pic of a cracked ramp is proof enough. Being frugal is good, taking chances with one's noggin: not so much. Plastic is sensitive to temps and age, etc. I had used made in USA, solid material Race Ramps for years. Nothing to crack under load there. They are more money, but what's the price of safety? Anyway, play safe. Cheers!

Well, yes and no. A picture can be very misleading because it doesn't tell the story of how it happened. Was the ramp accidentally run over while on it's side or backed into (crunched) while standing up against the wall, and then the guy decided to use it anyway? Was it used for other purposes? Did it have a bunch of very heavy stuff stored on top of it for months? Was it left out in the sun for a year (UV hurts many plastics). Was some kind of solvent spilled on it? Was someone using them as a jump for quads or motorcycles? The list goes on.

I can speak from firsthand experience with these ramps. They are not hollow, they are formed from a bunch of shapes designed to carry a load. They work fine. They are strong. I would not take a chance; I am the guy wearing full gear and a full-face helmet on hot summer day motorcycle rides. I understand safety.