Putting an '09 LE on drive-up ramps - no clearance?

[richp1000]

I decided it's time for me to stop spending $70 for oil changes at the dealership. Got some filters, got the right wrenches and I'm ready to go.

But I can't get the car on the drive-on ramps. The front air dam is in the way. I can't get the ramp even close to the tires.

Anyone else experience this? Is a floor jack the only option?

I just may go back to letting the dealer deal with the Corolla...between the poor filter design and now this!

[Dimaoala]

Me and my dad change the oil ourselves too, but we've never used the ramps or a jack. Luckily we live next to the base, and we use the lifts for ~$3/hr.

I would say try finding lifts in your area, if you can't get it on the ramp, looks like the your choice is the jack.

But I don't understand with what your saying how you can't get clearance?

[msncorolla422]

make sure you get toyota oem filters as they are really really good and cheap for like $4 or something and i dont think ive had this problem...i did it once and cleared

[Tech1984]

Drive up on a precut pair of 2x8's, then place the ramps in front of them.
70? Ouch! Must be a high overhead dealership.

[morpheuss88]

I would say try and find a place or somebody that will let you borrow their lift. Luckily for me and dimaoala we are able to use the auto hobby shop on a military installation but for the regular people it seems like a jack and jack stands would probably be the best way to go since your car doesn't have enough clearance for the drive on ramp. Just make sure you have a good jack and not the crappy jack they give you with the car... i had to change a flat tire with that thing and it 100 degree heat in my uniform it was extremely hot and i considered calling the free road side assistance since I'm covered under the toyota car but was to stuborn to change it myself

[misterfix]

do you have the newer ramps or older stayle? they make a newwer black plastic ramp that is designed for the newer low profile cars.

[SuperchargedMR2]

I have ramps that work, but the floor jack is much easier & faster. The other benefit is that the car should be level to allow all of the oil to drain out. So I lift the car with the floor jack, take off the drain bolt & old filter. Than I lower the car so that all the oil will drain, after a short time I come back & lift the car again, spin on a new filter, drain plug, lower the car & fill with oil.