Changing Oil On Ramps [7 Easy Steps]

Today, I will tell you how easily you can change your car engine oil on your rams. In short, park your car in a solid place, then raise it on the rams, unscrew the drain plugs, remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one, pour your new oil and check the engine oil dipstick. 

And you are done with your changing oil on ramps. But, to learn in detail and get better ideas, go on reading….   

Is It Okay To Change Oil On-Ramps?

For changing your oil on-ramps, driving up your car on a pair of ramps is just fine because drain plugs are at the rear of the oil pan in most vehicles. But, you should consider safety first while driving your car on ramps.

lifting the car on ramps for changing oil

Just check the alignment of your car created by the ramps. The angle formed by ramps will speed up your oil draining considerably. You might leave a cup of oil in your engine If the oil drain plug is in the side or in the front of the oil pan.

Note: You can also read how to change oil on your 3.6 Pentastar.

Changing Oil On-Ramps [7 Easy Steps]

Here you can get a detailed process on changing the oil on-ramps. Follow these step by step.

1. Park Your Car On A Solid Surface

For placing the ramps firmly,  you need to park your car on a solid level surface. Park your car and slide two ramps under the wheels.

Make sure the wheels are centered and straight to the ramps. If your car is low, use the best car rams necessary for lifting your car easily to drain oil quicker.

2. Raise Your Vehicle On-Ramps Cautiously

Using ramps will raise your car pretty high. If the front is elevated, slowly drive it up to your car onto the ramps. Now engage the parking brake. 

lifting the car on ramps for changing oil

Place the front wheels in the center of the ramps. Use chocks in the back wheels to prevent rolling your car backward. You will never go under your car without wheel chocks. 

Make sure that your car is safely supported by the ramps. Now you will have easy access to the drain bolt and the oil filter. 

3. Unscrew The Drain Plug

Let the engine be cool first for a while. Go under the car and find the drain plug. You can easily find a drain plug located at the rear edge of the oil pan. It is like a black bolt. 

 oil drains out for changing oil on ramps

The oil filter is right behind it. Using a box-end wrench, unscrew the drain plug. Before removing the drain plug, place the oil collection pan under the drain plug. 

Wait till all the oil drains out. It is better to change the gasket after the oil drains out. Screw the drain plug again using a ratchet.

4. Remove The Oil Filter

Draining all the oil, it’s time to remove the old oil filter. Oil filters are too tight to unscrew by hand. You can loosen the oil filter, then use a spider wrench to get the filter off. 

Unscrew the oil filter and make sure that the oil can is below because the oil will leak. For sealing the new filter properly, check if the O ring of old the oil filter came out with a canister.

5. Replace New Oil Filter

Take a new filter. To prevent the car from running dry, pre-oil your filter when you start up your car. Fill the new oil filter with new oil. Put a little bit of oil around the gasket of the filter. Install the filter. Every time you change oil, replace the oil filter.

6. Adding New Oil

Add the recommended amount of engine oil. You have to read the manual to gain knowledge of how much oil your engine needs. Don’t start your engine while the car is staying on the ramps. 

At the top of the engine, you will find the oil-adding sign cap. Check with a dipstick, if there is oil in the oil pan of the car. 

Before taking off the oil filler cap, you just need to clean it up with paper or a towel. Place a funnel and fill the oil pan with new oil. 

7. Check With The dipstick

Locate the engine oil dipstick noted by yellow. Shut off your engine before checking oil with a dipstick. Your car’s wheels are on the ramps. Using a dipstick you can survey your oil again. 

Pull out the dipstick and clean it with paper or a towel. Push it down into the dipstick tube and pull it out. Examine the safe level mark of your oil.

Benefits Of Using Rams For Oil Change

When you are thinking of using ramps while changing your car engine oil, it brings multiple benefits for you as the followings:

  • The first and foremost benefit of using rams is that it’s super safe. While changing oil keeping your car on rams, you won’t think of it’s slipping or falling in anyway. The rams will keep your car safe, secure, and stable.
  • The next outstanding benefit of ramps is that they will allow you easy access to deal with your car oil pan to change the old oil. You can easily get yourself under your car and work with the pan.
  • As the rams allow you an easy access under your car, you won’t struggle to bend yourself or keep yourself with uncomfortable position for a long period of time. So, it will keep you safe from muscle strains and back pain.
  • The rams will save your time and money because you can easily and quickly place your car on the rams and change oil by yourself.
  • It’s easy to maintain your lower car using rams.

How To Use Car Ramps For Oil Change?

You need to collect a pair of strong ramps while changing the oil on-ramps. You should be careful whether your wheels are well middled on the ramps otherwise ramps may break down. You may not be able to get all the oil drained on-ramps. 

How Can You Change Oil Without Ramps

If your car is low, it will be difficult to get up onto the ramps. You can use floor jacks to stand your car. Or you can drive two wheels on one side up on the curb and get down in the gutter to reach the drain plug and filter.

What Is Safer, Ramps, Or Jack Stands?

When it comes to changing oil conveniently, ramps are superior to jacks. It’s because ramps are cheaper and safer than jacks. 

Jacks are advanced technology. As a beginner, you should not adopt this method. This equipment is a little bit intricate and may cause an accident. Many people consider jacks safe and reliable. It depends on your preference. 

FAQs:

Are ramps good for oil changes?

Using ramps for changing oil won’t level your car because you can use ramps only at one axle. But don’t worry. After draining oil on ramps, a small amount of old oil left will not create any problem. I recommend to 

How much do steel car ramps hold?

Steel ramp sets are durable and can support a vehicle’s weight up to 6000 lb.

Can I change my oil on an incline?

Yes, park your car with the front end positioned on the uphill part of the slope while working on an incline and turn off the engine. Then, wait for a while to let the hot oil trickle. Don’t forget to set your emergency brake. For this, you will need extra preparation. 

Does a car need to be level to change oil?

While draining oil, level your car as much as possible. It does not need to be completely level. But it is ok just to elevate the front of the car using ramps under your car’s wheel.

Can you change oil in the driveway?

Get the car to your driveway and park in a way that the front end of the car is positioned in the uphill part of the slope. Driveway is not the perfect place for changing oil. You have to have extra tools for this.

Can you change oil on Rhino ramps?

These ramps are definitely strong in construction, as long as you can get them to stay in place. Its durability is tested. You need a strong set of ramps like Rhino Ramps depending on the weight of your car. 

How do I choose a ramp for my car?

It’s good to get one that can support up to twice the weight of your vehicle. In some cases, this might bump the cost up quite a bit. 

How much does a ramp car cost?

A good quality car ramp with enough strength can cost you around $50 to $200. But you spend more than this amount if you want extra durability. 

Conclusion:

Already you know how to use ramps to change oil safely. So, whenever you are in need of changing the oil on-ramps, just follow our mentioned simple steps and change the engine oil. Using the best ramps, you can change oil conveniently.  

Yet, if you have any more queries, our comment section is free for you. Let us know your struggle. We will come to you ASAP with possible solutions. 

About John M

John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.

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