Jacking up the rear for oil changes
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
Jacking up the rear for oil changes
I know the info is in here somewhere, but the search feature doesn't seem to be turning up many hits right now.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 926
Likes: 200
From: TX
patman
about one pint comes out if you raise the rear.
easy way to do it is back the rear tires onto 2x10s, jack up the driver side, remove plug and filter, lower car and let it sit for 15 minutes. jack car back up and put in plug and filter, lower car and drive away feeling clean. my c5 takes 6.75 quarts to hit the full mark this way.
appreciate your work in the oil testing section.
g
about one pint comes out if you raise the rear.
easy way to do it is back the rear tires onto 2x10s, jack up the driver side, remove plug and filter, lower car and let it sit for 15 minutes. jack car back up and put in plug and filter, lower car and drive away feeling clean. my c5 takes 6.75 quarts to hit the full mark this way.
appreciate your work in the oil testing section.
g
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
From: Maumelle AR
If you are driving on Rhino Ramps you need to have the car level at the very least. I just like the idea of raising the rear to get all the old oil out that I can.
Last edited by johninar; Sep 6, 2004 at 09:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by Patman
I know the info is in here somewhere, but the search feature doesn't seem to be turning up many hits right now.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
IMHO, yes, it is necessary to raise the rear. You can bitch about it to GM, about how they could have put the drain plug on the opposite side, or on an angled section on the side of the case, but nooooo. 
I say if you are going to go through the trouble to do something, do it right. No one can dispute that you still have a fair amount of dirty oil (and you could argue that the stuff on the bottom may be the dirtiest) in the pan, especially if you've got the front end propped up. Think about it.
I say if you are going to go through the trouble to do something, do it right. No one can dispute that you still have a fair amount of dirty oil (and you could argue that the stuff on the bottom may be the dirtiest) in the pan, especially if you've got the front end propped up. Think about it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
Originally Posted by VERYSOON
patman
about one pint comes out if you raise the rear.
easy way to do it is back the rear tires onto 2x10s, jack up the driver side, remove plug and filter, lower car and let it sit for 15 minutes. jack car back up and put in plug and filter, lower car and drive away feeling clean. my c5 takes 6.75 quarts to hit the full mark this way.
appreciate your work in the oil testing section.
g
about one pint comes out if you raise the rear.
easy way to do it is back the rear tires onto 2x10s, jack up the driver side, remove plug and filter, lower car and let it sit for 15 minutes. jack car back up and put in plug and filter, lower car and drive away feeling clean. my c5 takes 6.75 quarts to hit the full mark this way.
appreciate your work in the oil testing section.
g
JoeC 2004 black/mod red z06 (B4 - 2000 NBM/oak coupe)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Patman
I know the info is in here somewhere, but the search feature doesn't seem to be turning up many hits right now.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
I know that a lot of you like to jack up the rear of your car higher than the front when changing the oil.
My question is, how many of you have tried measuring how much extra oil you get out with this method? I'm wondering if it's even worth the trouble of jacking it up?
On my first oil change with my C5 a few weeks ago I simply had the car up on rhino ramps (on the front only) and with the drain plug still off I poured one fresh quart of new oil into the engine in order to "flush out" a bit more of the oil that might be trapped in the back of the pan.
I can't believe it. The oil fanatic himself doesn't go to the trouble to do an oil change right but will argue down to the tiniest differences in a UOA!
Not only does geting the car level make a difference but, then after an initial drain, going past level adds quite a bit more to the pan. Also the oil will continue to drain for a good half hour.
Buy a $20 lack and do it right!
Sorry couldn't resist after some of the past lectures you have given out! If the smiley icon worked I would stick a couple of them on here!
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
I made my front ramps out of stacking 3 2X10s (staggered so I can drive up on them.). I guess I don't understand the question. For the 30 seconds it takes to jack up the rear when doing the oil change it is well worth it. Not only does it get ALL the oil out it also helps get the sludge and heavy particles in the bottom of the pan. I actually jack the rear up before I remove the plug that way the higher flow actually helps move the junk sitting on the bottom.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by BlueDragon
I made my front ramps out of stacking 3 2X10s (staggered so I can drive up on them.). I guess I don't understand the question. For the 30 seconds it takes to jack up the rear when doing the oil change it is well worth it. Not only does it get ALL the oil out it also helps get the sludge and heavy particles in the bottom of the pan. I actually jack the rear up before I remove the plug that way the higher flow actually helps move the junk sitting on the bottom.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Hey, those are my ramps! those are almost exactly how I made mine. Slight difference and I used long screws to hold them together, but otherwise the same. And you had trouble with yours sliding as well. I glued 4 pieces of rubber gasket material to the bottom of mine! I still only use three. I use Jack stands and a jack from there.
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Sounds familiar! Since this photo I have added a 4th 2 x 12.
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Never tried to measure the extra oil that comes out. I too like to get all the old oil I can out, therefore, the practice of raising the rear end higher.
