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How do I raise my car enough to change my own oil? Tried going up on a curb
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:17 am
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:17 am
This is my first time to ever *attempt* to change my oil. I found seemingly finding the specific parts to do it is more difficult than actually changing it out it seems. I ordered them. They're all here. I drove up on a curb, it was still not enough space to work. I have a jack with my spare tire. I haven't tried raising that up yet. Maybe that gives more raise than driving up on a curb, it just appears that it might not though considering it's kind of a small jack. I'm not fat, 6'2 185 lb, early 30s, so I can maneuver. Just need maybe a foot more of lift compared to parking front of car on a curb. What have y'all done to accomplish the little room issue?
I have a 2017 Ford Explorer
I have a 2017 Ford Explorer
This post was edited on 9/18/25 at 11:22 am
78
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:18 am to CroikeyMate69
Dig a pit in your yard
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:18 am to CroikeyMate69
Auto ramps.... ?
They aren't very expensive.
They aren't very expensive.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:19 am to CroikeyMate69
Drive on ramps are worth the money if you plan on doing this regularly.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:19 am to CroikeyMate69
Ramps always worked for me.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:19 am to CroikeyMate69
get a set of ramps.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:19 am to CroikeyMate69
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:19 am to CroikeyMate69
Other options:
This post was edited on 9/18/25 at 11:28 am
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:20 am to CroikeyMate69
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:21 am to CroikeyMate69
If you’re feeling dangerous you could pick up a couple of jack stands for cheap from harbor freight
Another added benefit is you get to drink alcohol to be brave enough to go under the car once they’re in place
Another added benefit is you get to drink alcohol to be brave enough to go under the car once they’re in place
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:22 am to CroikeyMate69
(no message)
This post was edited on 9/18/25 at 11:23 am
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:22 am to CroikeyMate69
You can do it without raising it up.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:23 am to willymeaux
That link is not to car ramps
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:23 am to CroikeyMate69
Get ramps.
If you decide to use a jack, get jackstands and be careful. You get get hurt or killed or damage your car if you do it wrong.
If you decide to use a jack, get jackstands and be careful. You get get hurt or killed or damage your car if you do it wrong.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:24 am to CroikeyMate69
I haven’t changed my own oil in years but when I used to do it I would just lay on my back underneath the engine 
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:24 am to CroikeyMate69
Rhino ramps or floor jack. The former is much less expensive than the latter.
DO NOT prop your car up on a curb. You won’t get all of the oil out of the oil pan.
Also, you need to be on an even surface when measuring the amount of new oil you put in.
A couple of very important things most folks look over: 1) when changing out the filter, it’s an absolute must to put a ring of new oil around the sealing gasket of the new filter, 2) you absolutely must torque the drain plug to the manufacturer’s specs… too loose, you risk a leak, too tight, you’ll strip the aluminum.
DO NOT prop your car up on a curb. You won’t get all of the oil out of the oil pan.
Also, you need to be on an even surface when measuring the amount of new oil you put in.
A couple of very important things most folks look over: 1) when changing out the filter, it’s an absolute must to put a ring of new oil around the sealing gasket of the new filter, 2) you absolutely must torque the drain plug to the manufacturer’s specs… too loose, you risk a leak, too tight, you’ll strip the aluminum.
This post was edited on 9/18/25 at 11:36 am
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:26 am to CroikeyMate69
Using the "jack with my spare tire" is a great way to get crushed by a car.
Get ramps.
Get ramps.
Posted on 9/18/25 at 11:26 am to Shexter
Of course that Pontiac Grand Am has sconnie plates, I swear at peak every other car on the road in Wisconsin was a Grand Am or Grand Prix.
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