Hi All...hoping to get into performing my own oil change going forward (why not, you all make it look and sound so simple, LOL!), however I do not have access to quick jacks and would prefer to try to utilize the slop of my driveway in combination with Rhino Ramps (or similar) to get the car's rear end off the ground to get access underneath. Hopefully this would be enough to work safely and comfortably.
Would you consider the proposed illustration safe?
I am sure it will take some trial and error to get the right ramp position in correlation to the slope fall off in order to get the vehicle level, but in my mind, I feel this could be safe? A possible concern is the bottom corner of the ramp could potentially allow the ramp to rotate down once weight/force is applied?
Open to objective thoughts and feedback.
I would personally not be comfortable using ramps or jack stands on any sort of a sloped driveway.
I'd suggest you find a flat spot and just get four regular jack stands and a floor jack. You do not need quick jacks to get the car up and level on the jack points: normal flat-top jack stands and a good normal jack will do it.
That looks dangerous to me.
Rotate the car 180 and block the front wheels. I don't see any real advantage to your proposed setup other than getting a few extra ml's out. Also from my experience the Rhino ramps are too short and the hard plastic eventually lets the car slip while driving on to them. I use Race Ramps
It kind of comes down to how much of a slope your driveway has. My driveway also has a gentle slope (about a ramps worth). I’ve had no issues rolling up on the ramps, although for the cayman, I’ve graduated to lift bars to get a bit more height and easier to get wheels off, etc. I use the ramps almost exclusively with the front engined cars for oil changes
My experience with the ramps is that given the mid-engine position, it is pretty cramped/tight under where you want to access the oily bits, and you’ll likely want more elevation, but can work in a pinch.
fwiw, when I’m putting the cayman in hover mode (4x jack stands), I just use a 4’ level under the rocker panel to make sure I’m close enough to horizontal.
Our old house had a pretty sloped driveway, I changed the oil in the back yard where I had a sorta flat area and used some 2x12 pieces under the jack stands.
It was a PITA, but it was definitely safer.
Aside from being dangerous you need it to be level to check your gauge to get it exactly right.
The jack stands and a jack pay for themselves by the 2nd change, maybe even the 1st.
Make YouTube video your friend....lots of great videos on jacking your car up, changing the oil, etc.
Get a sample, send it to the analyst of your choice for evaluation.
Thanks everyone for their feedback! I do appreciate it. After most of the comments (wisely) noting a safety issue, I think best to stick to the tried and true (x4) jack stands to put it into hover mode on the flat section of my driveway. I already have a low profile jack, and will probably get (x4) Big Red T430010L stands. As Flyrod said above, these will likely pay themselves off after 1-2 oil changes.
My driveway is flat with a pitch for water. I use ramps in the rear and change the oil with no issues. Being level with oil is not a concern, there is so much oil in these engines. I only level the car for the tranny and diff fluids.
