What's the best way to jack up a car? How do you do it?

[Pink_Floyd]

I've got a lot of work that I'm going to be doing on my car in the next few weeks. Before now I've only had to jack my car up twice to change the oil and do the pads. I know that if I'm just going to be working on the engine the easiest thing to do is get some ramps and just drive the front end up, but that doesn't work for changing the oil or coolant or any fluid really because the car needs to be level for it to all drain out. Before when I changed the oil I used a floor jack to jack up the car and put 4 jack stands under each of the 4 jack points but this takes a while and I'd like to know if theres a better way before I go out and buy a new jack and 4 stands.

I'm thinking that a combination would be best. Say, drive the front of the car up on ramps and then jack the rear end up and put it on jack stands. That seems like the easiest and fastest way since you have a singular jack point in the rear of the car. My worry is, however, that the car might shift or fall since you can't use the parking break or transmission lock on the front wheels and I would be taking the pressure off the back wheels to lift the car. But if the car is at the top of the ramp and it's level, it shouldn't roll back, correct? Is there any safe way to do this? How about if you put wood wedges on the ramps to stop the wheels? Any better way to do this?

Ok - sorry for the long post, and thank you for your responses.

P.S. - Is there a single center point under the front of the car that you can use to safely jack up the entire car, like a crossmember or something? I know there is in the back but I'm not sure about the front, I've just always done each side individually.

 

[Ghost]

I don’t see the benefit of draining a few ounces of oil being worth the added work or danger of jacking the vehicle from all four points. If the drain valve is on one side raise the other. If it troubles you that much, buy a drain pan that is low enough to clear your car while on all four wheels, raise the car, remove the plug, allow the oil to drain into the pan while you lower the car then raise it back up and put the plug back on.

 

[Audible]

I agree with ghost.

A wise man said: "Make it simple, stupid" (not personal)

 

[dzervit]

I suggest breaking out a chunk of your garage floor, digging a pit then cement it all in nicely. You'll have a pro oil-changing pit of your very own! No need to bother with those pesky jacks, ramps, and stands!

Or, just do what ghost said. That's a good idea, too. ;-)

 

[epj3]

Pit's are dangerous. The fluids and fumes go down into the pits and if there is ANY spark, well... you can guess what happens.

That's is why garage pits are illegal now.

The thought of having the car off all 4 wheels - I did that for my repairs (Center bearing and flex disc) and when I was putting the first wheel back on the entire car started to sway away from me making the jack stands lean like /. Fortunately I grabbed the strut and pulled which saved it... but that would have been a MESS, and I'll never do it again.

 

[knightpitt]

it's good that you weren't under the car when you were making it sway. What on earth were you using for "jack stands"?

Typically, having the car up on 4 jackstands is fine, as long as you have quality jackstands.

Chocking the wheels that are up on ramps isn't a "standard" procedure, but it could work. Common sense should prevail here, though. If it's sturdy, good. If it's not, don't do it.

And, just so you know, you honestly don't have to jack up your car to change the oil. I easily change the oil on my lowered Jetta (4.5" ground clearance) on level ground without jacking it up. A stock height E36 or E30 will be easy. Even lowered BMW's shouldn't have too much trouble. All you'll need is a long reach, and possibly a flex joint for your socket.