Hey I just wanted to know if you guys use ramps or jacks when you change your oil. Are you able to get underneath without them or no? I havnt been able to line myself right to be able to change my oil without lifting the car. I dont have jacks or ramps so I'm just checking. Feedback please.

 

I have a garage where I change my oil, and use a floor jack to lift the Max. I change oil (Mobil 1) every 7,500 miles (maximum allowed by Nissan and still maintain the 60 K mile power train warranty) and also rotate my tires at the same time. Removing the right front wheel makes it much easier to get to the oil filter. With the wheel gone, it is a snap to get to the side-mounted oil filter.

I know it's safe to run Mobil 1 longer than 7,500 miles, but I want to keep the warranty in effect. I just changed my oil, filter and rotated tires last Monday.

 

It is pretty easy to change it without ajack or ramps. Turn the wheel all the way to the right. Take off the plastic splash shield(2 screws and 2 plastic screws). The drain plug and filter is right there. Good luck

 

^^^Yes. I have never lifted my car to change the oil. Just turn the wheel and I can get to everything I need.......

 

My car is too low to the ground to get my drain pan underneath it, so I have to jack it up an inch or two. But yeah, just turn the wheel all the way to the right and you'll have easy access to both drain plug and filter.

 

Ramps.

the 225/50/17 barely squeeze on there, but its only up there for a short while.

also easlier to clean the engine bay when its up higher for me (Im 6'4")

 

I used to use ramps, but now my front is too low
so i use a jack to elevate but use:

JACK STANDS to keep it up. Never rely on a jack alone.

oh and use teh e-brake

 

I use ramps and then put jack stands under the car while it's on ramps. I'm paranoid, it only takes like 3 seconds, and when it saves my life I'LL be the one laughing!

Seriously though in a pinch, you could also drive the passenger side up on a curb, except the oil won't drain as well on a tilt.

 

i've done it in the street without a jack before. if you know what your doing and where everything is you really dont need to be under there.

Also if you dont have a jack and your stock. you can drive up on a curb or 2 and kinda have a level its like jacking up the car. Or dig a ditch under you car.

 

Ok thanks for the input...I did the oil a week ago and actually had no problems. I put the car on the jack only a small amount cause my pan was too big (have to get a smaller one) but I realized I dont even need to raise the car to do everything.

 

Sorry for the thread hijack ... what is the secret to getting the plastic snap screws off the w/o breaking them?

 

What snap screws? Mine came out ok. I did break the bolt underneath because it was so rusty. Trying to find the right size bolts to put that plastic piece back on right...

 

You want the car to be as level as possible when draining the oil so as much of it as possible can come out. Using ramps is counterproductive.

 

The ones that are used to keep the plastic belly cover on. Or does it not need to be removed to change the oil?