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Oil Change ?'s

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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 02:55 PM
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Default Oil Change ?'s

From what I have read on here the C5 has to be jacked up some since the oil pan is flat. I don't have the equipment to do the oil change myself.

My question is do shops do this? as they mainly just have the car over the opening and drain the fluids?

Anyone have an oil change place in Fort Worth/ Mid Cities TX area they recommend?
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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 03:42 PM
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Default Oil Change

I'm in Arlington, Tx. dont really know anybody to recommend. Changed mine this morning.
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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 04:07 PM
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I'm sure any shop is able to do it, but make sure if they need to lift it they use either a drive-on lift, or you have jacking pucks for them to use.
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Old Aug 25, 2012 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by sonny557
I'm in Arlington, Tx. dont really know anybody to recommend. Changed mine this morning.

Too bad you're not a shop.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 02:00 AM
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You're correct. You need to get the car level to drain all the oil from the pan.

The problem with taking the Vette to a non specialist is to make sure they jack the car up correctly. You need jacking pucks. If the jack makes contact with the rocker covers they will crack. As its a bonded panel its an expensive fix. If they use a drive on lift or a pit then no reason why they can't do it.

I bought a pair of Rhino Ramps (the grey type) from Walmart and use a jack and stands under the rear frame. If you want to do it yourself, it'll be a minor investment to start but you'll save time and cash in future.

Last edited by DeeGee; Aug 26, 2012 at 02:02 AM.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 04:04 AM
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Originally Posted by DeeGee
You're correct. You need to get the car level to drain all the oil from the pan.

The problem with taking the Vette to a non specialist is to make sure they jack the car up correctly. You need jacking pucks. If the jack makes contact with the rocker covers they will crack. As its a bonded panel its an expensive fix. If they use a drive on lift or a pit then no reason why they can't do it.

I bought a pair of Rhino Ramps (the grey type) from Walmart and use a jack and stands under the rear frame. If you want to do it yourself, it'll be a minor investment to start but you'll save time and cash in future.
herehere
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 11:33 AM
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Default Race Ramps

It's an easy DIY. Now is the time to invest in the equipment. It will save you $ over time plus you know it's done right.

I like the 56 inch Race Ramps for the C5 (I use these for my oil changes). They'll give you 8 inches of lift to work under the front which is plenty for an oil change.

You can use your jack to lift the rear a tad higher to get that last bit of oil out if you wish.

I tried the store bought ramps and never could get them to stay in place while driving up.


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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by JW@JWMotoring.com
It's an easy DIY. Now is the time to invest in the equipment. It will save you $ over time plus you know it's done right.

I like the 56 inch Race Ramps for the C5 (I use these for my oil changes). They'll give you 8 inches of lift to work under the front which is plenty for an oil change.

You can use your jack to lift the rear a tad higher to get that last bit of oil out if you wish.

I tried the store bought ramps and never could get them to stay in place while driving up.


Once you pull the nose of the car up on the Race Ramps, how difficult is it to get the low profile jack underneath the rear of the car in order to lift it up, considering the angle due to the ramps?

I'd like to start changing my own oil on an annual basis (weekend driver) and while the car is up, remove the wheels for a good polish.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 12:16 PM
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There is plenty of room for a low profile jack.

Some customers like to use the 10 inch wheel cribs with those ramps for oil changes. That give you 2 more inches in the rear to drain all of the oil out.

I'm switching my 8 inch cribs out for 12 inch cribs. This should be fun
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by JW@JWMotoring.com
There is plenty of room for a low profile jack.

Some customers like to use the 10 inch wheel cribs with those ramps for oil changes. That give you 2 more inches in the rear to drain all of the oil out.

I'm switching my 8 inch cribs out for 12 inch cribs. This should be fun
"Cribs" - Are those the matching smaller Race Ramps? I like the idea of not removing my wheels every time, however I don't want them hanging and pulling the suspension when I'm changing the oil and performing other work under the car.

Heck, it took my suspension a full 2 days to settle after I installed my new wheels/tires.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 12:36 PM
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Available in 8, 10, and 12 inches.

I like these over jack stands when you don't need to remove the wheels due to the stable base with the cribs being under all 4 wheels. Plus you have extra room to get under the car without the stands being in the way.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 03:26 PM
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What little bit of extra oil that comes out after jacking the rear I stopped doing it. All I do is jack the drivers side from the rear jacking point with a puck. Then put a jackstand under the front a arm for safety. Swap the filter, remove the drain plug, get out from under the car and pull the stand. Then lower the car while it drains. Swill down a cold beer or two. Jack it back up, reinstall the stand, reinstall the drain plug, slide my drain pan out, temove the stand, lower the car, and I'm done. No need for ramps. No extra jacking. Easy is the way I like it.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 03:41 PM
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I think everyone has misunderstood Christee's original question. It sounds like he is under the impression that the C5 needs to be NOT level in order to drain properly. I could be wrong but I don't think that is the case. I think any place with a pit would be able to do the job properly. Right?
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by tigtorch
I think everyone has misunderstood Christee's original question. It sounds like he is under the impression that the C5 needs to be NOT level in order to drain properly. I could be wrong but I don't think that is the case. I think any place with a pit would be able to do the job properly. Right?
That was my original [mis]understanding. It clicked after reading a few replies that the reason to have it up is to get under it and then to raise the back to make it level.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 07:31 PM
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I have always put my car up on some Rhino Ramps in front, then lifted the rear with a low profile floor jack to where it is slightly higher than the front end. Maybe not completely necessary to have the back higher, but I like to think it gets more of the old oil out and it's really not that big of a deal to raise it higher.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 07:42 PM
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What do most of you drain your oil into? After it's drained, what is the best way to dispose/recycle?
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 09:56 PM
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I drain it into an black round oil drain pan that has a pour spout. Once its full i pour it into containers and take it to advance discount, autozone, or even walmart. They all collect waste oil for free.
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Old Aug 26, 2012 | 10:12 PM
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Default Same

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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 12:00 PM
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Took her in for the oil change since she needed inspection too.

It's like taking your kid to school for the first time. Having to trust someone and hoping they don't screw anything up down the road.
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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JW@JWMotoring.com
It's an easy DIY. Now is the time to invest in the equipment. It will save you $ over time plus you know it's done right.

I like the 56 inch Race Ramps for the C5 (I use these for my oil changes). They'll give you 8 inches of lift to work under the front which is plenty for an oil change.

You can use your jack to lift the rear a tad higher to get that last bit of oil out if you wish.

I tried the store bought ramps and never could get them to stay in place while driving up.


I have the 2 piece 72" ramps and I have zero complaints! They make lifting the Vette simple
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