How do you guys change your oil without jacking up your car?

[tmpnsnty]

I've read many TN members changed their oil without jacking up their car up. So I've tried that today and barely reach the drain plug with my wrench. I've tried going in front end and right wheel side. Seriously, how do you guys do it? Am I just a fatty with short hands?

I end up jacking my camry up, like usual, to drain my oil.

Car: 00 Camry LE (5S-FE)

[Mike Gerber]

I have ramps that I made out of old 2 X 4's that I drive the car up on for oil changes. Picture a 3 foot long 2 X 4 laying on the ground. On one end is another 2 X 4 about 1-1/2 feet long screwed on top of the bottom one. Then a piece of old 1/2 thick plywood about 6 inches high screwed on to the end with both 2 X 4's on it. The plywood acts as a stop. I beveled the leading edge where the car drives on to them, but that is just optional. I made them about 15 years ago. I have 4 of these. Put 2 of them side by side in front of the front wheels and drive the car up on them. It raises the car an extra 3 inches off the ground. That's just perfect for changing the oil on most front wheel drive cars with the bolt in the back of the oil pan.

I had a friend who lived nearby who was a professional tech. He saw them and thought they were a great idea. He went out and made a set himself out of 2 X 8's so he didn't have to use 2 of them in front of each front wheel. I used the 2 X 4's because I had enough scrap pieces laying around.

Mike

[96ToyoCam164K]

LOL, funny question. I didn't know how either until the other day I reached it from the passenger side near the tire rather than the typical way around the front. And I did reach it.

However, I f**ked up because I was in a rush to drain an extra quart of oil that was supposed to only been 4 quarts. The oil was HOT and the drain plug fell into the bucket of new but darkly colored oil. Im scrambling around trying to find the plug in the hot oil almost scalding my hand. Luckily I had on gloves or I would have been fucked. And the small pan is not enough to drain out an entire 4 quarts and it would have ran all over autozone's parking lot.

Luckily I found it just in time and luckily the drain plug isn't like the transmissions as atleast you dont have to screw it ALL the way in for it to stop draining.

[Chris Crash]

I can get under there far enough to reach it comfortably. Maybe I've just got long arms? But yes, it can be done.

[lantol]

[DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK]

Park one side of your car on the kerb, this should give you enough room to fiddle around

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by lantol

Park one side of your car on the kerb, this should give you enough room to fiddle around

Yep that works.

If your driveway has any kind of a slope to it, just drive up part way. Put it in park, and be sure to put on the eBrake. You will be surprised on how much room you have under the car.


.

[tmpnsnty]

Originally Posted by 96ToyoCam164K

LOL, funny question. I didn't know how either until the other day I reached it from the passenger side near the tire rather than the typical way around the front. And I did reach it.

However, I f**ked up because I was in a rush to drain an extra quart of oil that was supposed to only been 4 quarts. The oil was HOT and the drain plug fell into the bucket of new but darkly colored oil. Im scrambling around trying to find the plug in the hot oil almost scalding my hand. Luckily I had on gloves or I would have been fucked. And the small pan is not enough to drain out an entire 4 quarts and it would have ran all over autozone's parking lot.

Luckily I found it just in time and luckily the drain plug isn't like the transmissions as atleast you dont have to screw it ALL the way in for it to stop draining.

I've tried this today, but I guess TX has treated me too well. I really have to jam myself under my car to barely tough the drain bolt.

[fenixus]

I can reach it from front when I lay on my back and put my head under bumper. I use long ratchet (3/8'' torque wrench actually) to loosen and tighten it (36ft-lbs). but maybe i've got long arms too hehe. I'm not tiny though, 6ft / 185 lbs

To be honest, it's better to jack the car up even on passenger side only with a scissor jack, as this way more dirty oil will drain out of pan. the difference is not vast though (less than half a quart for sure, maybe less, never measured it).

[Chris Crash]

Wouldn't it be jack up drivers side only to get the oil to flow towards the plug?

[Mister_Perkins]

i just reach under the car if a lifts not handy ?

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by Chris Crash

Wouldn't it be jack up drivers side only to get the oil to flow towards the plug?

good question. I think ultimately you should jack the whole front up so oil pours towards the back of pan where the plug is hehe...

last time I jacked only passenger side and it worked quite well, but I didn't double check by jacking up the other side to see if anything more flows out

[Chris Crash]

I think the shape of the oil pan really lets the same amount of oil out no matter what (unless you're changing your oil...I don't know...upside down or something...). It seems to kind of curve down towards the plug, which makes sense...to me anyway haha

[pmesfun]

I can barely fit under, if I park the front wheels on the garage floor which is about 2 inches higher than driveway.

[Chris Crash]

Man...you guys make me feel little....I can go under until my head hits the exhaust but then if I turn my head sideways I can keep going....

[LynchburgCSI]

I don't fit. I have to use a jack.