Oil change

[AutobahnSHO]

So finally amassed all the tools to do oil in my garage- jack, jackstands, drainpan, filter wrench.

Cost me $19 to do the van, I need to do the Subie in a week or two (motorswap guy recommended because of any leftover solvents etc... from the swap and seals change.) And with 3 cars now I can't afford to be spending a ton of money on maintenance.

I used to take it to the Army's garage, but at $6/hr for lift, plus the 20min one-way drive, it's just so much more convenient to stay home. Even if I'm sliding on the floor on my back and now have to take the oil to them for disposal.

Nothing like the satisfaction in having done something yourself.
(And the horror to realize the filter on the van is one you didn't put on there yourself- and the last time the wife paid for a change was January and 10k miles ago!.!.!.!)

[Speed_Racer]

It's definitely worth the piece of mind, since most oil shop lackeys seem to forget the basics like refilling the oil or not replacing the oil fill cap.

[giant_mtb]

Even if I'm sliding on the floor on my back and now have to take the oil to them for disposal.

My parents got me one of these for Christmas last year...works excellently as a creeper and having a low-ish seat for cleaning wheels, tires, and waxing/buffing the lower portions of vehicles is extremely nice.  I think they can be had for about $40, which I feel is well worth it.

[AutobahnSHO]

My parents got me one of these for Christmas last year...works excellently as a creeper and having a low-ish seat for cleaning wheels, tires, and waxing/buffing the lower portions of vehicles is extremely nice.  I think they can be had for about $40, which I feel is well worth it.

I thought about a creeper but I didn't lift the van up high, I wouldn't fit under it with a creeper.

The garage floor is clean but I will still be washing my clothes afterwards anyway.

[Rupert]

Get one of those crappy blue foam camping mats to lay down on. Keeps you out of the muck and insulates, too (really nice if you're under there for a while).

[Rupert]

It's definitely worth the piece of mind, since most oil shop lackeys seem to forget the basics like refilling the oil or not replacing the oil fill cap.

Which piece? I hope it's the amygdala, because it's fun to say.

[VTEC_Inside]

I just use a set of rhino ramps vs jack and stands for oil changes.

[S204STi]

Ditto.

[Rupert]

Yeah, fuck jacks.

[giant_mtb]

But having jacks for other potential jobs is great.  It might not make the most sense for oil changes, but for most other jobs, it does.

[Rupert]

Sure. But I hate using them and will avoid it whenever I can.

[giant_mtb]

Samezies.

[Speed_Racer]

Which piece? I hope it's the amygdala, because it's fun to say.

good catch lol

[MrH]

Am I the only one who actually prefers jacks?  I had to buy ramps though when I got the BRZ because I can't get the damn jack underneath it .  Now if I want to under, it's ramp, jack, then jack stands.

[Cookie Monster]

I always have to borrow my friend's low profile jack to get it under my car.

[MrH]

I could get mine under the Miata, figured I could with the BRZ too.  Then again, I had the stock monster-truck suspension on the miata.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Am I the only one who actually prefers jacks?  I had to buy ramps though when I got the BRZ because I can't get the damn jack underneath it .  Now if I want to under, it's ramp, jack, then jack stands.

Accent scrapes the front bumper before it gets on the ramps. How does BRZ manage?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Get one of those crappy blue foam camping mats to lay down on. Keeps you out of the muck and insulates, too (really nice if you're under there for a while).

Why spend money on that crap? A sheet of cardboard is not only free, but slides easily on concrete and absorbs oil. I have had many great cardboard creepers.

[Cookie Monster]

I could get mine under the Miata, figured I could with the BRZ too.  Then again, I had the stock monster-truck suspension on the miata.

Oh yeah, stock suspension you can get most jacks under there.

[Soup DeVille]

Accent scrapes the front bumper before it gets on the ramps. How does BRZ manage?

Shorter front overhang.

The front overhang on the Caddy is something in the neigborhood of six feet- bumper pushes the ramps out of the way before the tires ever get close.

[S204STi]

[giant_mtb]

I don't like using ramps with my car because I hate slipping the clutch so much to crawl up the ramp.

[Soup DeVille]

You're laughing, but that's exactly what happened when I tried it.

[AutobahnSHO]

I don't like using ramps with my car because I hate slipping the clutch so much to crawl up the ramp.

This.

Plus falling off ramps. I don't trust anyone else under my roof to drive a car up onto ramps or guide me onto them... 

[VTEC_Inside]

I don't like using ramps with my car because I hate slipping the clutch so much to crawl up the ramp.

This is indeed a pain in the ass. The CSX isn't too bad because the ebrake will actually hold the car. When I do it in the RSX it looks like I'm trying to rock out of a rut...

[Rupert]

You guys are just unskilled. I don't have a problem getting a car up on ramps alone and without drama.

[AutobahnSHO]

You guys are just unskilled. I don't have a problem getting a car up on ramps alone and without drama.

Know your limits.   I really would hate to drop a car, and I'm kinda klutzy.

[Eye of the Tiger]

My metal ramps have dents on top from pinch welds. Yep.

[Byteme]

Shorter front overhang.

The front overhang on the Caddy is something in the neigborhood of six feet- bumper pushes the ramps out of the way before the tires ever get close.

Lay a couple of 2X6s in front of the ramps for the tires to roll on first and the bumper should clear the ramps.

[MrH]

I just drive up, jam the front of the ramps into the front of the tires, and shoot right up.  When I feel like my front wheels are in a rut, yank the parking brake.  Tada!  No assistant needed.