Easiest way to change engine oil?
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 16
From: Southeast Michigan
Easiest way to change engine oil?
I tried crawling under the side of the Stang (stock S197 GT suspension) and I couldn't reach the drain plug. I'm 6'3" and 154 lb, so it's not because I'm too fat.
What's the easiest way of changing the engine oil without taking it to some shop or using ramps? Do you just use a floor jack under the engine crossmember each time you want to change the oil? I thought about using 2 wooden blocks and just driving the front tires onto the wooden blocks, but I was curious if the wood would slap up and damage the front fascia.
What's the easiest way of changing the engine oil without taking it to some shop or using ramps? Do you just use a floor jack under the engine crossmember each time you want to change the oil? I thought about using 2 wooden blocks and just driving the front tires onto the wooden blocks, but I was curious if the wood would slap up and damage the front fascia.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: July 4, 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Area
I know you said without using ramps, but seriously that is the way to do it. I changed it a few times with the jack and stands, and once I did it with the ramps I never looked back. Took 30+ minutes with the jack and stands. It took me 15 minutes to do with the ramps, and that included letting it drain for about 7-8 minutes.
Rhino ramps are only about $30 at Wal-Mart or Autozone. You'll never do the jack and jack stands thing again, guaranteed!!
Rhino ramps are only about $30 at Wal-Mart or Autozone. You'll never do the jack and jack stands thing again, guaranteed!!
GT Member
Joined: October 20, 2006
Posts: 100
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Go with the rhino ramps. I heard that by lifting the front of your car it also helps drain all the oil because of where the oil drain plug is located. Their not that expensive either the menards i work at are selling them for $24 right now.
Bullitt Member
Joined: November 6, 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
Metro,
I've got 2 2X12's nailed together to make a "Step". Of course you need a pair of these. I originally used these to drive up on and get the front of my '82 Vette high enough to get a jack under the frame to change the oil. Now I just use these step boards to get the front of the Stang a little higher.
The bottom board is about 3.5 ft long and the top is about 3ft. When you look at it from the side, it looks like this:
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
There's nothing on the board to keep you driving off the edge, however, the top board is long enough that it's never an issue. If you do, it's only a 3 1/2" drop.
I'm 6'3"/230 lbs and I can now slide under to change the oil. Hope that helps.
I've got 2 2X12's nailed together to make a "Step". Of course you need a pair of these. I originally used these to drive up on and get the front of my '82 Vette high enough to get a jack under the frame to change the oil. Now I just use these step boards to get the front of the Stang a little higher.
The bottom board is about 3.5 ft long and the top is about 3ft. When you look at it from the side, it looks like this:
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
There's nothing on the board to keep you driving off the edge, however, the top board is long enough that it's never an issue. If you do, it's only a 3 1/2" drop.
I'm 6'3"/230 lbs and I can now slide under to change the oil. Hope that helps.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: January 4, 2006
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 32
I have changed it without lifting it at all. I was not able to reach it from the side either.
I wriggled under from the FRONT of the car.
FR500 Member
Joined: August 15, 2005
Posts: 3,084
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From: Honolulu
Even though I don't own a S197, these are interesting... What's the widest tires that'll fit on these? Most of the ramps I've seen & tried are pretty narrow-ish (have 245's on the car). Don't recall seeing them at the local Wal-Mart here, either.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: July 4, 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Area
The ramps will fit pretty big tires, even if the tire doesn't fit in the indented portion, they will work fine. As long as you center the tire on the ramp it will be fine. We used them on our F350 Dually truck a few times for the rears. We just drove the truck up on there with the outside tires and it was fine. The inner tires were hanging off the side of the ramp, only half on.
Cobra Member
Joined: January 13, 2005
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 1
It's a pain in the butt because I'm used to doing my own oil with my '91 but yeah I just take mine into Ford. I take my own oil (Mobil 1) and they do it for me.
I would MUCH rather do it myself but I'm wary of using ramps as the last time I did that I nearly destroyed the oil pan by going over the edge of the ramps.
I would MUCH rather do it myself but I'm wary of using ramps as the last time I did that I nearly destroyed the oil pan by going over the edge of the ramps.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,730
Likes: 3
Well I work at a dealer so its not even $30 for me to get it done 
But same as everyone else, if I do feel inclined I use the Rhino ramps, after the new spoiler goes on, probably just use a couple wood ramps I use for the flloor jack.
But same as everyone else, if I do feel inclined I use the Rhino ramps, after the new spoiler goes on, probably just use a couple wood ramps I use for the flloor jack.