It's a good thing I'm too old to change my own oil....I'm glad to pay the $80.00 for Mobil1 with a filter.
I of course still use wheel chocks on the rear wheels...plus ebrake...
Disaster while changing the oil...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by VatorMan
Apparently your ramps do not have a lip. Most new ramps have a small lip that should prevent the front tires from rolling. I still can't understand how the car would roll unless your ramps don't have a flat spot to hold the fron tires.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
Same thing happened to my father about 30 years ago. He had the front of a Grand Prix on ramps. He did not chock the wheels in the front. When he jacked up the rear the jack pulled the front off the ramps. The jack handle went through the garage door and my father's arm was broken.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
Glad to hear you are OK! You can never be too careful.
Years ago I made a set of ramps from a Popular Science Magazine plan. They were made out of 2x4s and 2x6s. I was happy with them, used them often a bit heavy but I felt secure. I drove my '72 Olds Toronado Front Wheel Drive 455ci, up on the ramps to change the oil. I removed the drain plug and filter. While it was draining I went to fill the new oil filter with oil and just as I cleared the car one of the ramps collapsed sending about 4800 lbs of Olds to the ground, right where I was seconds before. I don't know if it was my mistake in plan reading, building,poor wood, bad plan, combination or just too heavy a car.
I purchased my first set of HD Commercial STEEL Ramps right after that, not even the formed steel ones. They cost alot and I still have them.
I was even skeptical of the Rhino Ramps at first but I feel comfortable now. I do use the quality Jackstands not the tubular models, under any car I have on Ramps. I also use a couple of Cement blocks to stop any rolling.
Barrier
Years ago I made a set of ramps from a Popular Science Magazine plan. They were made out of 2x4s and 2x6s. I was happy with them, used them often a bit heavy but I felt secure. I drove my '72 Olds Toronado Front Wheel Drive 455ci, up on the ramps to change the oil. I removed the drain plug and filter. While it was draining I went to fill the new oil filter with oil and just as I cleared the car one of the ramps collapsed sending about 4800 lbs of Olds to the ground, right where I was seconds before. I don't know if it was my mistake in plan reading, building,poor wood, bad plan, combination or just too heavy a car.
I purchased my first set of HD Commercial STEEL Ramps right after that, not even the formed steel ones. They cost alot and I still have them.
I was even skeptical of the Rhino Ramps at first but I feel comfortable now. I do use the quality Jackstands not the tubular models, under any car I have on Ramps. I also use a couple of Cement blocks to stop any rolling.
Barrier
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Seekonk MA / RI border
Originally Posted by IrishFan
Well, the title pretty much says it all.
I put the front wheels on ramps to get underneath the car and change the oil. I had the oil drain plug and filter removed and the oil was draining nicely. But because the nose of the car was pointed upwards, I only got 5 quarts of oil out. So I went to jack up the rear of the car to get the rest of the oil out of the pan.
I jacked up the rear so that it was level with the front and could see more oil was coming out. I put jackstands underneath the rear so that the oil would continue draining while I was away taking care of other things.
As soon as I step to the side of the car, I saw the front wheels that were on the ramp begin to roll backwards.
I put the front wheels on ramps to get underneath the car and change the oil. I had the oil drain plug and filter removed and the oil was draining nicely. But because the nose of the car was pointed upwards, I only got 5 quarts of oil out. So I went to jack up the rear of the car to get the rest of the oil out of the pan.
I jacked up the rear so that it was level with the front and could see more oil was coming out. I put jackstands underneath the rear so that the oil would continue draining while I was away taking care of other things.
As soon as I step to the side of the car, I saw the front wheels that were on the ramp begin to roll backwards.
You jacked the rear and had time to put jackstands under the car...so the car was not moving (noticably) at that time which kind of rules out the jacking 'pulling' the car backwards.
I think that the rear was still not high enough and the car simply slowly rolled backwards (down the hill) while the rear wheels were not on the ground to lock the car in place.
Either way, we're all glad that you're ok...and the car only got a flesh wound...and many of us probably learned the importance of chocking the front wheels anytime the rears will be off the ground.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Some people have posted about this happening to save a few bucks don't get it. I don't like or trust anyone else touching my car. The money savings is not a factor for me. Its knowing it was done and done correctly without some jerk not using proper proceedure to lift the car or drive it like a maniac to and from the lift. I have learned a lot from the methods posted here to be sure to avoid this.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by Brute
I'm no smarty either... I discovered this the hard way too.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 0
From: North Canton OH
I just use ramps to get a jack and stands under the car, then jack up the back.
When the back is up, my car is not resting on a ramp.
Glad you didn't get hurt.
And for the record I don't think any of us change our own oil to save $20. Its a little more than that.
When the back is up, my car is not resting on a ramp.
Glad you didn't get hurt.
And for the record I don't think any of us change our own oil to save $20. Its a little more than that.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento California
Forget raising the rear!!
Originally Posted by 87SAM
For oil changes, I just use wooden floor ramps 4 1/2 inches high. High enough to reach the plug and filter but not at much of an incline. I don't worry about jacking up the rear as I can live with 1/2 quart of used oil left in the engine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
Originally Posted by Brute
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What a mess. Sorry to hear about the car, especially the damage to the floorboard. Sure glad you were not injured when the car rolled.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Dang sorry to hear about your problem
Using 4 jackstand may be best. Skip the ramp all together.
Good Luck
Using 4 jackstand may be best. Skip the ramp all together.
Good Luck
After hearing this story I'm glad I didn't use my ramps this past weekend and used the jack stands instead. Even with the jack stands you have to watch that they don't tilt on you when you raise the back end higher (I've noticed that before) IMHORsty
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I've changed my oil 6 times now and have never had something like this happen, despite doing it the same way you did. If I recall correctly, the front lip on the Rhinos are taller than the rear lip, so turning them 180 degrees may help prevent rollback. My sequence is as follows:
1. Drive up on my 4 wooden (low angle) ramps.
2. Jack up the front end and insert Rhino ramps under tires
3. Jack up rear end and insert jack stands
I always use wheel chocks at the rear tires when I change oil in my other vehicles, but have never thought of using them at the front when I do the C5. I guess the next time I change the oil (November), I'll add the chocks to the front. Thanks for reminding us all about the dangers of getting underneath our C5s.
1. Drive up on my 4 wooden (low angle) ramps.
2. Jack up the front end and insert Rhino ramps under tires
3. Jack up rear end and insert jack stands
I always use wheel chocks at the rear tires when I change oil in my other vehicles, but have never thought of using them at the front when I do the C5. I guess the next time I change the oil (November), I'll add the chocks to the front. Thanks for reminding us all about the dangers of getting underneath our C5s.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Asheboro NC
I'm with everybody else on this one, the main thing is you or someone else wasn't hurt. Maybe you saved other owners from the same or worse happening to them by sharing your experience.
Hope the fix goes well.
Hope the fix goes well.