# Wheel ramps or jack stands to change oil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 11, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273 "2016-05-11T21:08:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/61 "2016-05-17T05:57:23Z")
I have been straddling the gutter in front of the house. What I don’t like. 1. On my back cleaning the oil filter mount when someone’s sprinkler system run-off goes down my neck. 2. Wind blows dust and grit after I have cleaned everything. 3. Dog comes down the sidewalk and lifts its leg on my 5-quart bottle of Mobil 0W-20 full synthetic oil. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/62 "2016-05-17T06:27:43Z")
Why don’t you spring for some ramps? ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/63 "2016-05-17T14:39:53Z")
What? And miss all the fun! I found heavy load jack stands at a garage sale! Someone donated a little wheeled hydraulic floor jack. Will see how this all works out. Can I change the new oil filter element without making a mess? To remove all the old oil, I like to let the vehicle drain for a while. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/64 "2016-05-17T17:26:07Z")
**_Be Sure You’re Using The Proper “Lift Points” When Jacking Up The Vehicle(s). Otherwise Damage Can Occur._** I always purchase the official Factory Service Manuals for all my vehicles. They have these details. My GM cars have a safe jacking point in the center of front and rear. I can lift there and set it on stands outboard of the that, on other proper points, so I can access the underbelly. Perhaps this info is in the Owner’s Manual (but I doubt it). Try online. You’ll probably want something more heavy duty than a 1-1/2 ton jack. Some of them won’t lift even that much. _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![boilerengtn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/boilerengtn/32/6955_2.png) [@boilerengtn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/boilerengtn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/65 "2016-05-17T19:28:51Z")
**You have grease fittings?** Yep. I have a '97 Blazer; I guess this was before sealed bearings/joints were more widely used. Being able to turn the wheels helps to access them. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/66 "2016-05-17T19:30:01Z")
Thank you, CSA. I will look at its load specifications. Maybe only enough for one side at a time. Must also learn the center lift points. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273/67 "2016-05-17T22:53:03Z")
Because of the low clearance, I welded up a couple of ramp extensions that work fine. About a foot long, angle iron frame and plywood surface, with a couple bolts that hook into the holes in the ramps. Just hook them into the bottom portion of the ramp to give a little more gentler rise and work fine. Plus they can be removed while working on the car if they are in the way. Like I said though I really don’t use them for oil changes. Just can’t see going to all the work of jack stands for a 30 minute job with 10 minutes of that under the car. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wheel-ramps-or-jack-stands-to-change-oil/93273.md?page=3)