How are you guys getting under your car to change the oil?
 

What are you guys using as ramps? I found one that gets the car up 2.5 inches and should not scrap the front. Would 2.5 inches be enough to reach the drain bolt?

Race Ramps. Expensive, but very nice. Have several lowered cars, no problems getting any of them up on ramps. 2.5" will not be enough unless you are really really skinny (with a very small head).

Asking if you can reach the hole with 2.5 inches doesn't belong in maintenance section, mods please move this to off topic,.

But to answer your question. You can reach with car on ground I think, but the real issue is will your drain pan fit under the car. Place your drain pan next to the car parallel the hole and if it is more than 2.5 inches higher than the underbody those ramps won't work.

Rhino Ramps and some pieces of wood in front of the ramp to get the front bumper to clear the ramps.

Rhino Ramps here too. I put a brick in front of each to make sure I don't scrape my lip kit. Before I had the lip kit, just a two by four was sufficient.

I made ramps out of 2x12 pine that I had laying around about 10 years ago. Bottom board 36" long, then 28, 20, and 12" on top. I put a piece of 2x2 12" long across the top front to help keep me from driving off the front. They are held together by 3" decking screws. They work great and provide a very gradual easy to climb ramp. Holds the car about 7" high. I jack the back of the car as prescribed to level it, then easily change the oil or whatever I need to accomplish.

a floor jack and some jack stands. Takes all of 2 minutes to get the car in the air

My 11,000 lb. hydraulic lift.. :happyanim:

Same here.

I wish I had a lift :(

rhinos is what i hear people using, they are inexpensive and very good quality

Rhino ramps with wood in front to prevent bumper from hitting ramp.

For just oil changes I just vacuum the oil out of the dipstick... no ramps needed

Raceramps!

How much of it do you collect? This would be most convenient and least messy way to handle it. How much gets left in the pan with this method...
I have always done it the old fashioned way.. My neighbor has a lift..

The first time I did it on my other cars I pulled the plug afterwards and only a few drops came out

I've used this method on every car I've owned, especially BMW because the filters on the E36 are on top as well so you don't need to go under the car.

I wrote up a DIY on it a while back http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32427

Well after doing a lot of reading, I've decided to forget the ramps and go with removing the oil from the top with the Hydro-Turf Oil Extractor OIL01:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HYDRO-TURF-O...-/321140956465

I actually got it on Amazon. Will post a review after I am done

Just make sure to use the largest hose you can and that the oil is warm!

That looks like an old bong I used to own. :)
Maybe I will try to change my oil too!

Rhino Ramps. On stock suspension the bumper clears.

Wingardium Leviosa! Works every time. Remember to swish and flick

Will do!

anyone know any good but fairly cheap low profile jack yet still have a nice lifting weight?

I got the 2 Ton Low Profile Jack from Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_12358.jpg
It's a heavy SomBitch though!!!

I run onto 2x10's and flip my valve. Works fine for me. I would absolutely hate to do it with a wrench though.

Yeah, it's 93.3lbs.

Buy the aluminum one instead.

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ons-68051.html

Just make sure to really clean your bong before you use it again. ;)

Yeah, well the Aluminum one is not low enough for me and I ain't on a NASCAR pitcrew so I don't need to pick up no stinking jack.

just want to give a follow up....just finished my first top side oil change with the Hydro-Turf Oil Extractor OIL01.

It was very easy but took longer than a regular change since they only supply one size hose that is small so that it can fit down the dip stick tube. Here is a quick summery:

First drive the car for 5-10 min. to warm the oil.

Take off the oil cap

Place the plastic tube down the dip stick. After you feel it pass the curve , advance slowly until you feel some resistance then back it out very slightly.

Pump 15 times...and the oil starts flowing!

I needed to add ~5 extra pumps every 20 mins

It took 90 mins for all the oil to come out!

Got ~5.5 liters out.

Then change the oil filter, refill with ~ 5.5 liters of fresh oil and you are good to go.

Clean up was very easy and I did not get oil on the floor as I usually do.

Other than it taking 90 mins, it was better than the traditional way.

I was surprised how thin the 0W-20 was...the stuff flows like water!

Thread jacking here for a second,

About to do my first oil change and just had one thing bothering me.
All I have to use is a jack stand, so the car will just have the front end sticking up, is this also how guys using ramps drain it? Will I have any problems getting it all out at that angle?

Thanks

This is interesting. Are the blocks screwed together or do you build them up depending on the height you are looking to achieve? I would also think with the suspension fully extended that you have to jack the car to the maximum height of the floor jack.

Made my own ramps, from a 2x10.
https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...89165155_n.jpg

Sorry for the Thread Jacking

Yes it's all screwed together:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/1...0b9a14a4_b.jpg

But you can make it like lego if you want. Here is the site I got the info from to make it: http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/wood-block.htm (My setup and measurements differ slightly from what is on the site)

As for maxing out the jack it's not too bad:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/1...ac4f0a4b_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/1...ff49e7c8_b.jpg

I can even stack my suv on it, but I got to use blocks on the jack:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/1...221568c6_b.jpg

Yeah, I'm gonna make four of these platforms. They look quite useful.

$20 with BYO fluids and filter at my local shop. I don't have to get dirty.

Correct me if I am wrong guys but my understanding is to never use just a jack stand to get under the car. If it slips, you're toast.

Get the warranty if you're going to get that one - also wait for one of the huge coupons for this specific jack to offset the costs. I have had to trade in 2 of them already (bought the low profile just for the 86) since I bought the car. It is actually in the back of my truck now waiting to go back on Monday.

well i have a jack and blocks i can use? i just want to know if draining at an angle will still get all the crap out.

anyone?

Damn that sucks! I got the warranty. I have had mine for over a year now bought it for $120 with the 2yr warranty.