Ramps & Oil Change

I have a set of ramps that I can drive my car on and was wondering if I would be able to drain all of the oil out of my car if the front of my car is off of the ground on ramps.

I usually jack the car up, pull the oil plug and then let the car down so all of the oil can get out of the pan. If I use ramps, I want to keep the car on the ramps the entire time, but am unsure if all of the oil will drain out.

If anyone uses ramps, or knows if this will work or not, please let me know.

(admins, move this where it should go but I think this is the right thread)

 

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It will work fine. When the dealer does an oil change, the car is level on the lift. The pan is designed to drain while the car is level.

 

I have 2 ramps, the front of the car is off of the ground (about 8" I think) while the back tires are on the ground. So the front is higher than the back.

I need to know if having the front elevated over the rear of the car will cause less oil to drain out.

 

I'm sure there will be some oil left...always is even with the car level. Just change your oil ever 3k and you will be fine but your that concerned about it change it ever 2500

 

I use Amsoil 100% synthetic 10w-30 (i know an Amsoil dealer) and usually change my oil between 5k & 6k miles checking my oil level every other week after 3k.

I think enough oil will drain out b/c the oil drain plug is closer to the back of the oil pan on the car, so it looks like it should be fine but I want to be sure.

 

How much are you paying per quart of the Amsoil? I've been tossing around the idea of using it

 

I pay $6.70 a quart plus shipping. I worked with an Amsoil dealer until I was laid off, but we still keep in touch and he said he would continue to be my dealer.

I sent a sample of my oil at 5k miles to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ for an oil analysis and they said I should try going at least 6k miles. I usually go about 6k miles & I barely see any burn off with Amsoil. I saw lots of burn off with Mobil 1 and Royal Purple.

I am sold on Amsoil and will only put that in my car now, great stuff.

 

I don't mind a little being left over, it would still happen when its flat on the ground. I just want to be sure the normal amount drains out.

 

could use the ramps and then use a hydraulic jack on the rear diff to level the car out.

 

That was actually an idea I was thinking about. I am only worried that because of the cars angle, the car might be more prone to slip off the jack.

Guess if I take it slow, and I am careful, it should be doable.

 

The plug is in the back of the pan towards the rear of the car. Isn't it pretty basic physics that more oil will drain from the pan with the front elevated higher than the rear? Or am I missing something you are saying?

 

Thats what I was thinking, just wanted to be sure.

 

Going to have to agree with this. I personally feel better with the front up as the drain plug is on the back...

I also pour a little bit in while the drain plug is out to do a little extra flush. I doubt the angle of the car or the little bit of oil I pour in makes that big of a difference, but you can see more come out as you do either so it reinforces the feeling of a job better done.

 

i had heard something about the oil in the upper-rear portion of the engine not being able to drain down because of the angle. but i've always used ramps on every vehicle i've had

 

It is possible. I'm having a terrible time remembering exactly where the drain plug is in relation to the back of the pan, but i know it isn't at the far back. I think it's still lower when the car is at a slight angle.

 

It is impossible to get absolutely all of the old oil out. There is always a bit still clinging to parts, I don't know how much though.

So you will always, everytime, have some old oil in with the new. As far as I know, no engine had blown up because of this small amount of leftover oil.

 

While it's great that some of y'all are being so tedious about your maintenance, worrying about the amount of extra oil you'll get out of the pan with the car level vs. slightly inclined is really starting to get into tin foil hat territory.

I'm not making fun of you... I'll admit that I've placed my car on ramps, drained the oil, and then rolled it down by hand just to see how much more came out. It MIGHT have been an extra table spoon, if that.

Then again, I'm willing to openly admit that I'm at least a little bit mental. Admitting the problem is half the battle, I suppose.

Seriously, though- If that much difference in fresh oil is enough to affect the longevity of these cars, we may as well just give them up for junk and set them on fire.

 

And putting on performance parts for power/handling that barely do anything but add up little by little is any different? Some parts will barely make a difference, yet we spend money on them because they add up in the long run

Many things in life are like this, you start giving up on those little things and eventually they add up against you. Just saying

 

I don't think that is an appropriate comparison. You are talking about a lot of little mods adding up to make a difference. Each time you change the oil, there is a little bit left, but you mix it with new oil. Then you flush 99+% of it away the next time and so on.

But if you are still worried, just do what professional race teams do when there are no rule limitations: rebuild the engine after EVERY event. That's the only way to be sure, right? I mean if start thinking that we can get away without rebuilding the engine, then where will we be?

 

I'll agree slightly that it isn't really the same thing. However, rebuilding the engine isn't quite an appropriate comparison to doing something that's free either.

I am a bit anal, I got my car with 3k miles and plan on having it in the best mechanical condition possible at 200k. Every 10k I inspect everything in the engine bay, look for anything that might corrode, etc. I do the same under the car as well. It's reinforced every time I find something that needs a little love. The first time I did it I noticed one or two wire connections lower on the car already had completely caked up with road grime. I cleaned them up well and seal them in electrical tape. I've worked on enough cars that had 100k+ miles to have a desire to make it as close to showroom as possible when I get to decide if it is or not. I'll let you know the outcome in a few years, we'll see if it's worth it