Changing oil without lifting car?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
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From: Skippack PA
Changing oil without lifting car?
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
quite a bit left
you end up leaving some in if you dont raise the rear up. I didnt think so until I raised it up,,,, almost a quart
Edit: my garage slopes to the front and I drove in, and car is lowered as well......I should have backed in
Edit: my garage slopes to the front and I drove in, and car is lowered as well......I should have backed in
Last edited by drivinfast; Jun 8, 2007 at 08:01 PM. Reason: DUH...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
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From: Skippack PA
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
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From: laguna niguel ca
[QUOTE=vettealot;1560579406]you end up leaving some in if you dont raise the rear up. I didnt think so until I raised it up,,,, almost a quart[/QUOTE
I think you're talking about the C5. My 2002 C5 you drove the front up on ramps like the rhinos that I had, and then jacked up the rear higher then the front. You did this because the drain plug was in front of the pan,and also because the flat pan had trap doors in it so to get the oil out this proceedure had to be followed. On my C6 with the standard type pan, the drain plug is on the drivers side (left side). So all that's necessary to drain the oil is to jack up the right side of the car.This tilts the car to the left. Pull the plug and ALL the oil drains out. It's much easier than the C5 oil changes. BTW even the dealers put 6 quarts of oil in the get it to the full mark on the dip stick.
I think you're talking about the C5. My 2002 C5 you drove the front up on ramps like the rhinos that I had, and then jacked up the rear higher then the front. You did this because the drain plug was in front of the pan,and also because the flat pan had trap doors in it so to get the oil out this proceedure had to be followed. On my C6 with the standard type pan, the drain plug is on the drivers side (left side). So all that's necessary to drain the oil is to jack up the right side of the car.This tilts the car to the left. Pull the plug and ALL the oil drains out. It's much easier than the C5 oil changes. BTW even the dealers put 6 quarts of oil in the get it to the full mark on the dip stick.
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CF Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,262
Likes: 21
From: Palm City Florida
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.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton FL
I couldn't do it without raising front up. I'm 5'7"" , 160lb, 29 insix pak. I raised from up with 2 hydraulic jacks on each side behing front wheels, put two jack stands as safety and 2x4 's behind rear wheels. Then I slide under, remove filter and plug, put car back down to let it drain til no more drip, go watch tv and have a beer or two. Come back later raise it again, put new filter and plug. Lower it back down, turn car on, check for leaks. That's it.
P.S... get magnetic drain plug from dealer, it's about3-8 bucks, well worth it, you'll be amazed how much stuff it picks up.
P.S... get magnetic drain plug from dealer, it's about3-8 bucks, well worth it, you'll be amazed how much stuff it picks up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
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.
Otherwise, just drive it up the ramps like JT
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
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From: Skippack PA
Well, I got long arms, but I'm not a small guy (nor am I a whale). I use to be able to do this with my Z28s, but I did manage to smack my head now and then (not to mention the occassional mis-alignment of the drain pan and getting oil all over the floor). Gave up doing my own changes a few years ago, but with the Corvette, I'm a little more worried about letting my dealer do it. Think I might go for the home made mini-ramp (few 2x12s) idea just to get it off the floor a little higher.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 9
From: CA
6ft 190lbs, no issues, pretty easy, just turn the tire so you can reach in there better. Might be a little hard to turn the rachet to break the drain plug loose as you are stretching to get in there. A few taps with a hammer on the rachet handle broke it loose.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
6ft 190lbs, no issues, pretty easy, just turn the tire so you can reach in there better. Might be a little hard to turn the rachet to break the drain plug loose as you are stretching to get in there. A few taps with a hammer on the rachet handle broke it loose.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
Yes...I have a jack, jack stands, 2X10s, and, No...I'm not lazy. But, why drag all that junk out only to jack the front up just to leave dirty oil in the pan? I'm too old and tired to be messing with jacking stuff up that doesn't need it.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Monroe WA
Well, I got long arms, but I'm not a small guy (nor am I a whale). I use to be able to do this with my Z28s, but I did manage to smack my head now and then (not to mention the occassional mis-alignment of the drain pan and getting oil all over the floor). Gave up doing my own changes a few years ago, but with the Corvette, I'm a little more worried about letting my dealer do it. Think I might go for the home made mini-ramp (few 2x12s) idea just to get it off the floor a little higher.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
6ft 190lbs, no issues, pretty easy, just turn the tire so you can reach in there better. Might be a little hard to turn the rachet to break the drain plug loose as you are stretching to get in there. A few taps with a hammer on the rachet handle broke it loose.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
And I needed a somewhat low profile drain pan. It filled up pretty good so have to be careful dragging it out from under the car so it does not spill.
I think it is great I can do this without jacking the whole car up.
Also checked and looks like I can change the rear end gear oil too without jacking. So that will be next.
Ive done it w/out lifting, i used a long extension, and turn the wheel so I can reach the filter. Let me know how the rear gear oil change goes.
