taking a lowered car to the shop????

[1992eclipseGS]

hey how do u guys change the oil and shit or take a car to the shop for repairs if its lowered?? I talked to a couple of mechanics around here (Woonsocket, Rhode Island) and they said that alot of shops will turn away lowered vehicals because most of the time they end up scraping the ramp or they cant get them on the lift. I live in an apartment complex which forbids me to do any type of vehical repair on the apartment parking lot. So I have to take my car to the shop for an oil change. Plus, i work 2 jobs and go to school so i really don't have the time to do it myself anyways. I'm just curious to where people with lowered cars go to have their car worked on.

[Sleepr awd]

i have a friend w/ a local shop in town, he uses 2x4 boards under the tires to make the car high enough to get a jack underneath, then performs the necessary repairs, good luck finding a shop like that,
where did you get your car lowered in the first place if shops will turn you away and you can't do the work in the lot?

also maybe you need to fabricate wood ramp adapters so that the slope isn't as severe, that may be a good market for a product right there

[Killa]

You just got you car right, your car seem not that low.

[gthompson97]

just bring them a couple of 2x4's when you bring your car in. that's what i always have to do to get my car on the lift. just put 2x4's in front of the tires, drive up on them, and your good to go.

[LouieAWDTSi]

Originally Posted by gthompson97

just bring them a couple of 2x4's when you bring your car in. that's what i always have to do to get my car on the lift. just put 2x4's in front of the tires, drive up on them, and your good to go.

Yea boards work fine. We did that in my highschool automotive class for some civic that was lowered.

[importaudihaus]

it takes less time to change your own oil than it does to drive to the place, get checked in, wait for the tech to finish another car... blah blah...

[Turbodog97]

Just change it yourself or go to some place like Jiffy Lube where your car does not have to be raised up or anything. My local car shop takes about 25 mins, 2 jacks and 2 boards to get it on the rack. You just need to find yourself some people that will help you out. It's not too hard to do it yourself. Takes me 2 jacks and 30 mins to do my oil.

[soapsuds22]

I actually keep 2 2X4's in my trunk at all times because my eclipse is a Pos and occasionally needs to be towed. If your car ever breaks down on the road and you need to get it towed try to make sure they bring a flatbed. Regular tow trucks usually are no good.

[1992eclipseGS]

Originally Posted by Killer7

You just got you car right, your car seem not that low.

My car is still stock. I'm not gonna start modifying it till around January or so. But i'm just curious about how people get their cars on the lifts and over the ramps and shit.

[Carolina Z]

If you are not going to change the oil yourself ( which I would do) then go to an oil change facility that has the under car bays, the ones you drive onto at the same level as the shop and the guy goes under the car. That would be the best way to eliminate a problem with a shop trying to raise the car off the ground.

My sons 99 Eclipse is lowered but we have never had a problem in a shop with it be that the dealer , oil changes ( which we do ) or anything else, the 2 x 4 trick will work however if the car has a problem with a lift.

[-Josh-]

I work for a shop, and my car is lowered. What i do is jack up the front end and put the front lift arms on the front. Then i jack up the back of the car and put the rear lift arms on it. Then when i take it off i follow the same steps. Not really that hard.

[Kuhn]

If you haven't lowered it yet you should deffinately read the suspension sticky. And I would deffinately recommend going with the Eibach Pro Kit springs. They are only a 1.2'' drop, so it's not so much that shops will turn you away... However, some carwashes have turned me away! (I only go to carwashes when I have the stock hubs on in the winter anyways).