Changing my oil
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
I've been able to change mine without even jacking the car! Not easy, but possible.
Put the jack close to the middle but closer to the sideview mirror and the whole car will lift off the ground. Biggest thing is placing the jack so that it doesn't get in your way.
Put the jack close to the middle but closer to the sideview mirror and the whole car will lift off the ground. Biggest thing is placing the jack so that it doesn't get in your way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
If you're going to do this kind of thing yourself you should shell out the bucks right now before you start on a set of ramps, maybe two good floor jacks, jack stands, and maybe a jack-a-vette adapter to jack up the rear. There are triangles on the sides of the rocker panels marking the jacking locations. Use wood on the seat of the jack to avoid damaging things. I always try really hard to raise my car without twisting it. Till you get those things, spend the $20 or $30 to have someone change the oil. Too many ways to kill yourself or damage the car without the right stuff. jmo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
You can jack anywhere on the side of the car. Just be sure that the jack is in contact with the welded flange under the rocker, and NOT contacting the brake lines on drivers side or the fuel lines on passenger side.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Any jack will work using the specified jacking points.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Originally Posted by -=Iron Mike=-
Any jack will work using the specified jacking points.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
Anyone who crawls underneath a car that's jacked up and is not using horses, especially a Vette, because it is so low to the ground, is asking for major body malfunctions. It's way too dangerous to do this. Don't be lazy. Do it the right way. Too many people have been injured or killed because they failed to utilize jack stands and "thought" the jack would be good enough.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Step 1: Buy 5 qrts mobil 1 and oil filter
Step 2: Pay $10-$15 to any oil change places to do it
My opinion, for $10 is not worth the hassle dealing with jacking the car up and disposal of used oil....did i mention tripping over the used oil pan and spilling it all over the garage floor?...
i did it..and no more oil changes at home 
Step 2: Pay $10-$15 to any oil change places to do it
My opinion, for $10 is not worth the hassle dealing with jacking the car up and disposal of used oil....did i mention tripping over the used oil pan and spilling it all over the garage floor?...
i did it..and no more oil changes at home
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by -=Iron Mike=-
Any jack will work using the specified jacking points.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
Any which way you do it I'd recommend placing jack stands under or near the front jacking points before hurling my body underneath the car.
Just my $0.02.
When I was a kid, I saw a truck slip off a jack and the rear came down with one of the hubs landing right between my dad's legs. Fortunately, he only recieved minor cuts and bruises on each leg. As a result, I make sure I use ramps (if I'm not taking the wheels off) and/or stands before venturing under any vehicle.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by 2blklt4
Step 1: Buy 5 qrts mobil 1 and oil filter
Step 2: Pay $10-$15 to any oil change places to do it
My opinion, for $10 is not worth the hassle dealing with jacking the car up and disposal of used oil....did i mention tripping over the used oil pan and spilling it all over the garage floor?... i did it..and no more oil changes at home
Step 2: Pay $10-$15 to any oil change places to do it
My opinion, for $10 is not worth the hassle dealing with jacking the car up and disposal of used oil....did i mention tripping over the used oil pan and spilling it all over the garage floor?...
i did it..and no more oil changes at home Also, I got to spend some car-talk time with the guys (and girl) at the garage. It was like having a pit crew. Everyone wanted to take a look or have a hand in doing something on the car.
I haven't changed oil at home in a very long time.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
Originally Posted by odysseysteve
Changed my oil this weekend and used my ramps! Makes access quick and easy. If you change your oil yourself, you know the job is done properly.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
Originally Posted by Vett-eight-nine
I've been able to change mine without even jacking the car! Not easy, but possible.
Put the jack close to the middle but closer to the sideview mirror and the whole car will lift off the ground. Biggest thing is placing the jack so that it doesn't get in your way.
Put the jack close to the middle but closer to the sideview mirror and the whole car will lift off the ground. Biggest thing is placing the jack so that it doesn't get in your way.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
Originally Posted by odysseysteve
How's that, Vett-eight-nine? You have trouble changing your oil?
What I meant to say was, once you're convinced only you can do a quality job, you never get any rest (that's the curse).
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Originally Posted by Vett-eight-nine
Not at all, do it on 5 vehicles regularly.
What I meant to say was, once you're convinced only you can do a quality job, you never get any rest (that's the curse).
What I meant to say was, once you're convinced only you can do a quality job, you never get any rest (that's the curse).
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I have only paid to have my oil changed once, and that was during a coast to coast back to coast trip. When I change my oil I know the following things, which give me peace of mind:
1. The oil plug is not going to be stripped (and leak)
2. The oil plug has been properly tightened and won't fall out on the road.
3. The Oil filter gasket has been removed.
4. The Oil filter has not been tightened to 6 billion ft lbs by a cretin using a filter wrench.
5. The Mobile One I paid for was used to fill my car and not the previously mentioned Cretin's Honda.
6. No cretin has been A$$rubbing my seat.
7. I may have saved a couple of bucks however, the satisfaction of being a big hairy man that does his own work is priceless.
To be honest I know people that always payed for quality oil changes and had their oil pains striped, and my mom's suburban made it home with out an oil plug.
So I in my 25 plus years of driving have have done 99% of the work on my cars. The other 1% has occured when I was deployed or on travel.
Mike
1. The oil plug is not going to be stripped (and leak)
2. The oil plug has been properly tightened and won't fall out on the road.
3. The Oil filter gasket has been removed.
4. The Oil filter has not been tightened to 6 billion ft lbs by a cretin using a filter wrench.
5. The Mobile One I paid for was used to fill my car and not the previously mentioned Cretin's Honda.
6. No cretin has been A$$rubbing my seat.
7. I may have saved a couple of bucks however, the satisfaction of being a big hairy man that does his own work is priceless.
To be honest I know people that always payed for quality oil changes and had their oil pains striped, and my mom's suburban made it home with out an oil plug.
So I in my 25 plus years of driving have have done 99% of the work on my cars. The other 1% has occured when I was deployed or on travel.
Mike
