For all you who change your own oil (or any other kind of work that requires lifting the front end) - do you jack the car up or use ramps? If you use the jack method, how do you jack it up? Since the center jacking point is so far back, it makes using a hydraulic floor jack impossible, especially with the big 3.5 ton shop ones.

 

I find Rhino Ramps very convenient for most work on the G and M.

If my work involves taking the wheels off, then if carefully use the trunk jack and slide a safety jack capped with wood under a convenient point.

C.

 

I bought a low profile jack from Costco and it just barely squeezes under the car, but I'm able to jack it up on the center jack point on the front of the car. It was pretty hard to see, so my first time I spent a long time double checking to make sure I wasn't jacking up the car on the oil pan. If you go to Sears or whatnot, I'm sure you'll be able to find a low profile jack that will fit unless of course if you lowered your car a lot.

 

If you can't fit you're jack under the car, drive your car on a 2x6. That should give the extra 2 inches you need to fit the jack under your car. You may need someone to hold the back of the wood so when you drive on it slowly, the wood doesn't go back.

Hooman

 

I also have the Costco jack (Arcan blue one), not the newer black ones (lower profile I think). Which do you have? I didn't think it could sqeeze in all the way. My car is stock height. The question I have is that once it's rolled to the jack point, is there any room to really operate the jack?

 

Get Rhino ramps and a regular jack. Drive up the ramps and slide the jack under. Then you can put the car on jackstands. You can place the ramps under your wheels while the car is in the air for even more failsafe protection.

 

I just checked and my Costco jack won't clear the front air diffuser (black piece that hangs 1" below bumper). Has anyone changed the oil just jacking up one side of the car? The 2x6 trick is a good idea. Thanks Hooman.

 

you really only need one side of the car lifted, since u urself only need to squeeze in there and drain the oil. having both sides lifted would of course be more convenient, but its not reallly necessary. ive always been able to change my oil with only half the car up.

 

Thanks. That's what I'll do.

 

the 2x4 sounds like the best solution so far.

 

I tested the Rhino Ramps but they hit the front lip. I have 18's so that doesn't work out.

2005 AT Coupe | Lakeshore Slate/Wheat | Premium w/18's | Navi | Splash Guards | Mats | Valentine | K&N Air Filter

 

Using ramps can be very dangerous! A friend of mine had a custom '34
Ford Victoria. While driving on the ramp one side went off the ramp and
destroyed part of the front end........very costly! If you need to change
your own oil it might be worth it to invest is a jack that has the roller in
front. Clearance is something like 3" and will raise the car with three pumps
of the handle. Even Sears has this type of jack.

'04 G35 Twilight Blue Coupe Premium - Borla cat back - Stillen Intake -Z tube
Clear sides - 35% Tint

 

The newer black costco jack will bend the front air dam thing, but its a flexible piece of plastic, so i just let the jack bend it. the 2x6 is another good idea, my friend did something similar and just bought a sheet of plywood and made his own sort of ramp. he used 1/2 inch sheets and layered them to give himself a sort of ramp just high enough to fit the jack under his car.

 

any one have a picture of the front center jack point??? I havent jacked the front of the car up, and would be interested for future "jackings"

 

You could always use the spare tire jack on one side (I use the jack point on the driver's side behind the front wheel), raise the car a few inches, and then use a conventional jack for the center jack point.