So today I decided to change the oil on the G35 for its first oil change after the break-in period. I went to Kragen's to buy the Rhino ramps for safety reasons and picked up an oil filter removal adapter and 5 quarts of regular oil. Total came out to be $45. Went home and started to see if the ramps would have enough clearance under the front bumper of the car. It actually came in contact with the bottom part of the bumper before it could even touch the tires. So I didn't want to risk damaging the bumper by driving up the ramps. I also tried jacking up the car on the side jack points but there wasn't enough clearance for me to slide the ramps under the wheels.

Proceeded to plan B: Jack up the car from the front and then put jack stands on both sides under jack points and also put ramps underneath front tires. Little did I know, there is no place to jack up the car from the front. Either I'm blind and couldn't see any jack point in the front or it's covered by the undercover. So I was thinking how pathetic because I can't jack up the car to do an oil change. I was thinking that I could use something flat to put in front of the ramps so that the bumper could clear the ramps but I didn't have anything that was solid enough to handle the weight.

What I want to know is, how did Infiniti expect me to jack up the car to change the engine oil (as stated in the Infiniti owner's manual) without a jack point that is accessible for me to start with? I'm trying to avoid bringing the car to the dealer for the oil change but if there's no other way then that's my only option. How did you guys jack up your G35 to change the oil? Oh btw, there is only ONE kind of rhino ramp right? Mine had a picture of a truck on it so I was thinking duh! it's for vehicles that are much taller but I've heard some G35 members using rhino ramps. It seems like it's a PITA to even do an oil change on this car. Sorry had to vent. Thank you for any suggestions.

Cliffnotes: Tried to jack up front of car (but no jack point), tried rhino ramps (no clearance for bumper) and tried to jack up from the side (wheels had no clearance for ramps). What to do?

 

Someone else on this site used a couple pcs of 2X8 planks in front of the ramps, so it gives you that little extra needed to clear the front bumper........I would be afraid of the whole thing sliding and not allowing proper entry to the ramp.....If you try this method, I suggest the first time having somebody watch as you pull up onto the wood and then onto the ramps, just to be sure all is going according to plan........


04 cpe IP/willow/5at/prem/18's/JDM clear corners/Piaa's/MTEC H4 Super White fog/highs

 

I just did a search on this forum and found out others were having the same problem. Seems to have something to do with 18" rims. My G35 is stock height too. I might return the rhino ramps and get a different set of ramps that I can get attachments for.

 

Click here for info on jacking the G

2004.5 DG/G 5AT Coupe with all options
Sidemarker turnsignal mod
GroundingGear™
2003 Yamaha YZF600R

 

All you gotta do is place a piece of 3/4 inch wood in front of the ramps and you will be gold. The ramps did not even slide one bit on my sort of rough cement garage floor. It is kind of scary at first driving onto the ramps but once you do it one time it is aight after that.

04 Coupe 6MT Laser/Graphite Premium No Aero

 

Oil change for the G35 is easy... 20 mins tops as long as you have the right tools!
I use rhino ramps and have no problems. Is your car
lowered??

heres a DYI for Oil change: http://www.g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=17
Hope this helps you out



03.5s/Brillant Silver/Premium/Sport/Winter Pkg

 

I have a ?, why wouldn't you just take it to a local body shop for a 29.99 oil change? Or the dealership for the 36.99 oil change? Just a thought unless you were learning on how to do it yourself, because you spent 45$ which is more than getting it profesionally done. Martin


Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
Injen CAI
B+G Springs
ADR M-Classic 19's..

 

Haha, professionally... He also bought the ramps which are $20-30, plus probably funnel, oil catch pan, filter removal tool (OK I adlibbed on the last parts).

I still don't consider the local oil change shop as pros though.

F.Y.A.

 

These ramps work. Expensive, but they work. I have a set - No Problems.

http://www.tracyvette.com/autoramps.html


Lou

 

Like philly said. I have 18" and no problems with the two different Rhinos available. I have about 1 cm clearance on bumper. Is your car slammed or do you have the front lip? Either way you should be able to jack it up then slide jack stands under the frame rails.

I recommend making your first oil change a Fumoto Valve mod also. That'll turn your next oil change into a 10 minute ordeal.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5/Crawford Cats

 

The purpose for the EVERY 90 day dealer visits is so they [even the oil changer] can inspect [known things] and ask a tech to look at problems he sees.
Since everything is under warranty they need to find things ----to charge Infiniti for replacement.

The only way the service department survives is to find thing wrong..[so they can sell parts].......the more they find in the first 4 years the better for all.

You want to be a regular [for oil changes] that way the frequency is documented and when it gets later in years all those iffy warranty claims lean to your side.

The 60,001- 70,000-80,000 mile [even up to 99,999 miles] period has some leeway [especially for orginal owners who were diligent in using the dealer as documented on the computer print out.

Who is the service manager going to use his monthly WILD CARD for you, a valued customer or some jabeep who hasn't spent anything in 6 years with them?

 

Here's the simple ramps I made.
Used 2x10 lumber, you can cut the lengths to suit your car clearance.
I made them just high enough for an oil change (with Fumoto) & to get a jack in the middle if I need to put it on stands.

<font color=blue>04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
Borla TD, Z-tube, Eibach, 35%Tints</font color=blue>


297504-ramp-1.gif

 

I bought a 3" tall low profile jack from harbor freight for $250.00 and would never trust anything else. My car is slammed pretty damn low and this jack can still slide under the sides of the car.

I am not a fan of ramps at all and prefer to jack the car up on each side and use jack stands. You can place a jack with a large surface pad right behind the front wheel and jack the car up quite easily. I have had no issues at all... If you are all about your own oil changes buy a good low profile jack and be done with it.

jason

 

Hell if you really wanted to get away with this cheap, just jack the car up with the spare tire jack, slide under remove drain plug and position catch pan, lower car, get a beer, jack car back up, reinstall plug and remove can, lower and refill. Sure its not as stable as a hydraulic jack, but it works if you are in a bind, plus it fits the frame rail best, i.e. won't bend it.

 

No freakin way should anyone do this. The jack stand is made out of something just barely on the better side of tin foil. I've used it about 7 times and the hole you insert the tire iron in has almost worn to the edge. Our jack is the biggest POS "tool" I've ever used and would rather rely on Pee Wee Herman holding up my car than that thing.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5/Crawford Cats