Ramps for oil change?

[oly]

Any problems with using ramps on rear wheels for oil change? Does using ramps on rear wheels allow you to drain more or less oil than if the car is level for the oil change?

I want to be able to check and adjust the valves at the same time as the oil change so I want the rear end up. And I prefer ramps but only if they let me get the same amount of oil out (or more) as keeping the car level.

[safe]

Less oil.

[NY65912]

Ramps are NOT necessary. Just make SURE that your catch pan has enough capacity!

Go slow and you'll have no spills.

It would be good to have 3 empty plastic gallons and a funnel to transfer the waste oil to transport to the reclaimation station.

Good Luck

[Gordo2]

No idea on the more or less oil thing. I can confirm that it drains the majority of the oil, more or less. The reality is that you never really change get all of the oil out. There will be some amount in the lines and oil coolers that stays in the system.

I guess a down side would be that you could have some remaining sediment in the sump plate that doesn't make it out due to the slope of the ramps.

Watch out for the splash factor. Hot oil pouring out of the tank hits the bottom of the pan and splashes up and out of the pan.

Good luck,

Gordo

[petrolblue83911]

I always use ramps when doing the oil change. I never have really worried about getting the last few drops out!-I figure that so long as I stay on a regular schedule of changing the oil, which for me is generally 2-3 times/yr, it never gets dirty enough to be an issue

-yes you can do the change with out raising the car, my big doopey arms have a hard time getting the plugs out with the oil pan right below the plug (when the car is not raised) though so by raising the car a foot or so, I find it easier to get the plug(s) and my arm out of the flow of hot oil faster, and with less of an opportunity to bump the pan-which immediatly results in a variation of the valdez in my garage.

[si Banker]

Because my car is lowered it is hard to get a pan that is large enough to hold all the oil. Also if the car has been lowered the rear valance may catch on the ramps you purchase at the aut supply stores.b

Most garages have a small drop of about one inch.that allows the garage door to seal. I back the car out of the garage but stopping before the rear wheels clear the drop. This gives me enough room to slide my pan under the car and still get a wrench in the drain plug. I use a magnetic socket so the plug does not fall into the pan.

[Gordo2]

Valve adjust is easier to get at with wheels off.

[oly]

Thanks for the answers and tips everyone!

Art