How do you get under your car???

[btb84]

I'm due for my first oil change soon, but I have run into a problem.
The ramps I have been using for the past 15 years or so for my previous cars are too high for my G20 because the front end is so low.

Other than jacking the car, anyone have any suggestions or personal experiences to offer?

[AznVirus]

all i know of is the jack, unless you own a shop and a lift. other than that, use the factory jack.

[G-Forces]

If you use the factory jack to raise your car please, please, please don't get under it without securing the car with jack stands and wheel blocks. I don't know what they cost in the US, but they are cheap! My car is so low that I can't even fit my head under it...I'd hate to imagine what would happen if it fell on me or anyone while they were under it. Please everyone exercise proper saftey when working on your car.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by G-Forces
If you use the factory jack to raise your car please, please, please don't get under it without securing the car with jack stands and wheel blocks. I don't know what they cost in the US, but they are cheap! My car is so low that I can't even fit my head under it...I'd hate to imagine what would happen if it fell on me or anyone while they were under it. Please everyone exercise proper saftey when working on your car.

Bra-vo!

Remember, G20s are for driving, not for squishing people.

[AznVirus]

oops i never knew that :hehehe:

[kenchan]

just got to your dealer and get the oil changed. much faster and easier and safer. hehe yah, definitely use jack stands when operating under your car. I even used it when I installed the TEIN's because I had to get inside the car to get to the tower nuts on the rear. well, it sped up everthing too.

btw, the factory jack is probably safer to use than a $40 Larin piece of sh't hydraulic jack. those things are only good for about 10 lifts before the seals break. damn dangerous. without warning...psyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut! and your gone...and your wife makes $1000000 from life insurance. hehehe. good deal for her.

[Sleepy]

just use a nice jack hydralic jack lots nicer then a factory jack the only cost around 60 bucks good investment

[DVSNCYNIKL]

I think the best thing would be is to buy four jack stands, lift the car with the car jack and then place the stand under it. It safer and probably easier to work under the car with. Don't know of prices on stands, but couldn't be all that expensive. Just my thought.

[btb84]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

[redvalkrie]

:o Well this is what I do wehn it comes time to change the oil.

I also have the ramp's that I bought for my Pathfinder, so what I did for the G ride was, I purchased 4 2X4 cut all in half let 4 long cut the 4 half again & then another 4 to half again, basicly I made some steps for my G like a ramp extenders wich you can also purchase at sears for around $40.00 I didnt know they had these so I built my own I have a 1" 1/2 space when I am pulling up onto the ramps.
There are just wide enough for the stock tires, Modify width as needed!:licker:

[Morpheus XIII]

It doesn't matter whether you use the factory jack or a hydraulic jack--BUT YOU MUST USE SOME TYPE OF STAND.

For a simple oil change, it's more stable to use 2 jackstands instead of 4. If your parking brake seems weak for some reason, use 4 stands. Of course, there are all the other safety precautions: level surface, other wheels locked, safety blocks, eye protection, etc.

If possible, it would be even safer to find another pair of ramps (ones that fit). Ramps are best for oil changes since they are quick and easy to use, and if for some reason your car starts rolling, it will just roll down ramps instead of tipping over jackstands.

The curb ramp:
My own method is really simple, but it won't work with some cars. First figure out which side the oil drain plug is on. Then find a driveway and line up the car parallel to the curb, with the plug side closer to the sidewalk. Then slowly ease the front tire up the inclined driveway/curb border until the tire rests on the level area (Make sure the contact patch is completely on the cement, not hanging over). So one tire will be on the elevated curb, one tire will be on the flat driveway entrance, and the other two tires will be in the street. If your car has a low ride-height, just find a driveway curb with a more gradual incline. Obviously, this is ONLY for simple duties such as oil changes, but it's quick and safe.

[G-Forces]

Originally posted by morpheusxiii
Of course, there are all the other safety precautions: level surface, other wheels locked, safety blocks, eye protection, etc.

Heh! It's funny you mention eye protection. I have a hard time getting under the car or using chemical sprays with out using safety glasses. Get rust flakes or liquid wrench in your eye just once and you'll be a believer too!

[Morpheus XIII]

Ha ha, no doubt. I had to learn the hard way (damn rust).

It's too bad we aren't all well trained like the Nascar pit teams. A few times, televised events showed the rigs toppling over the jacks while a crew member would be adjusting trim or whatnot from underneath the race car... but not once did I see the professionals allow themselves to get munched; they have this pre-planned roll-out technique always ready to use to get out of harm's way. Why doesn't Nascar allow onboard hydraulic jacks? They are far safer.

[kenchan]

if you wana save your money, buy a milwaukee hydraulic jack. they're about $500 each,but the seals are excellent and last a looong time (from what I hear) also the norca or norco or whatever brand name they have which is $200.

those cheep hydraulic jacks only last 10 lifts, or at best 15-20. I got one of those $40-50 just to work on the G when I put the TEIN's on. after a few more uses on my other cars, the seal was gone. but that's how it is with those cheep jacks.

I only use factory jacks now...the one that comes with the car and use jack stands and chokes.

[P10DET]

Originally posted by G-Forces
Heh! It's funny you mention eye protection. I have a hard time getting under the car or using chemical sprays with out using safety glasses. Get rust flakes or liquid wrench in your eye just once and you'll be a believer too!

Safety glasses literally saved my eye a few years back. I was doing a brake job and coming out from under the car, I lifted my head a little early and the dead center of the lens (right in front of my eye) contacted a sharp corner of my trailer hitch hard. No question I would have lost my eye.