Changing oil without lifting car?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
Anybody change their oil without lifting the car at all? Seems like there is enough room to get the oil filter off, and with a low enough oil drain pan, should be able to drain the oil okay. Before I actually go out and buy a new oil filter and oil, just wanted to see if this is easy enough and possible.
I more-or-less did an oil change this way while on the drive back from the NCM (I had no access to a jack). The pan was a little too tall, though, so I wound up having to drive the car up on a short ramp made of phone books, of all things, and had my friend rock the car a bit to get the pan back out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: Skippack PA
Well, did the oil change without lifting the car at all. Not too bad really, I have long arms and no issues really. Getting the filter off was a bit messy as there is no way to spin it off with your hand and the oil pan underneath it, so had to let it drain as much as possible then move the oil pan out of the way, then take the filter off. Some oil of course spilled out and onto my hand and rags, but not too much overall. Definitely recommend a good size piece of cardboard for the floor.
Oh, and I've noticed some guys posting about switching to a magnetic drain plug. Mine had one already, assume that is standard. So, not sure why some say you need to switch (it did have a good bit of metal shavings on it; only 1600 miles on the car). Oh well, guess I'll be doing my own oil changes again (and won't have to worry about buying a jack)!
Oh, and I've noticed some guys posting about switching to a magnetic drain plug. Mine had one already, assume that is standard. So, not sure why some say you need to switch (it did have a good bit of metal shavings on it; only 1600 miles on the car). Oh well, guess I'll be doing my own oil changes again (and won't have to worry about buying a jack)!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Magnetic drain plugs only became standard in 2007; 2005, 2006 didn't have them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
...Getting the filter off was a bit messy as there is no way to spin it off with your hand and the oil pan underneath it, so had to let it drain as much as possible then move the oil pan out of the way, then take the filter off. Some oil of course spilled out and onto my hand and rags, but not too much overall. Definitely recommend a good size piece of cardboard for the floor...
Keep a pair of leather work gloves designated specifically for oil changes. When an oil change is properly done, the filter should be almost too hot to handle...the gloves insulate your hands from the heat and keep the dirty oil off them as well. Between changes, you'll want to store the gloves in a plastic bag.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Just got done doing this (C6 oil/filter change w/o lifting)
For a drain pan I used a $1.79 tin foil pan (appx 3-3.5in high, but held more than enough oil) and bought two 1/2in drive extensions (bought two twenty inch extensions, although a 20+10 would have just cleared the fender I think). Used my 1/2in torque wrench with the extensions and 13mm socket - I could not easily break the drain plug loose with the ratchet under the car, but with the extensions it's easy.
Had a hard time finding the extensions (not at sears, autozone, advance) but turned out a local auto parts store nearby had them. Well worth the investment (appx $43 IIRC for two 20in extensions and the 1/2in drive 13mm socket. Got the tin foil pan at a local "dollar" store...)
For a drain pan I used a $1.79 tin foil pan (appx 3-3.5in high, but held more than enough oil) and bought two 1/2in drive extensions (bought two twenty inch extensions, although a 20+10 would have just cleared the fender I think). Used my 1/2in torque wrench with the extensions and 13mm socket - I could not easily break the drain plug loose with the ratchet under the car, but with the extensions it's easy.
Had a hard time finding the extensions (not at sears, autozone, advance) but turned out a local auto parts store nearby had them. Well worth the investment (appx $43 IIRC for two 20in extensions and the 1/2in drive 13mm socket. Got the tin foil pan at a local "dollar" store...)
Last edited by Xlr8yourC5; Jun 17, 2007 at 03:31 PM.
