Jacking up the Boxter
 

Hi, maybe a really, really dumb question but here goes....

When placing the car on the jack stands, should I always use 4 stands no matter what the project? In other words, have the car supported by all four jack stands ? When I do an oil change should I support the car with all four jack stands or will two suffice? Things like that. And is there some kind of sequence for taking the car off the jack stands?

Thanks

Rod

I almost always just use two jackstands at a time - if I'm working on the front, I use two on the front, on the back, two on the back. I use two on the back for oil changes. About the only reason to do four would be if you need to check fluid levels while the car is in the air (like when changing transmission fluid), but I generally drop mine after draining the oil, but before adding oil, I so get a good measurement when the car is on the ground.

I tend to lower the car in the opposite order that I put it up - if I jack up the right side, then the left, I will let the left down first, then the right. It's probably not that big a deal, but that's what I do.

+1 on Steve's comments....unless I'm yanking all 4 wheels for maint or to scrub the rims I ONLY do 2 at a time and then since I'm scared LOL...I shove 1 tire under the body and I have the jack still on the car using my slit hockey puck ( to protect the unibody weld) in front of the nearest jack stand as an added back up...even with that it's still cramped underneath the darn thing but manageable.

+1 on using jack stands for either the front or rear depending on the job. I only use four if I'm working on both ends of the car or need it to be level while I'm working.

The part I find hard is getting the jack under the car to lift it up and still have space to stick in the jack stand - they both like to sit in the same general area.

Yup, you can use two in the front with the rear wheels on the ground, or two in the rear with the front wheels on the ground, or two on one side of the car if it's not jacked up too high.

-Wayne

Does putting just the rear on stands when performing an oil change make a considerable difference for how much oil drains out?

If I need rotate tires, e.g., rear-left to front-right, and I only two jack stands, what is the best practice to jack up the car?

You can't rotate tires on the Boxster, the wheels are staggered (different sizes front and rear) and the tyres are usually directional.

Jack it up, place jack stands, remove oil plug, remove jack stands, jack it down, allow to drain for 20 minutes, jack it up, re-place jack stands, install drain plug, remove jack stands, jack it down, add oil... or put it on a lift:)

Wow, great resource here Wayne. Thanks to everyone. Thanks for the book Wayne !!! btw.

Rod

very true. mines are 225/50 from front and 205/55 for rear. thanks.

I guess I am an overachiever, if I use a jackstand I use all 4...LOL