Tire ramps

[Tom R.]

Re: Tire ramps

Tom, the more I got to thinking about ramps for my C3 & C5 to do minor repairs and change the oil. I realized the crank case drain plug is in the front of the C5's pan. With the car on the ramps and therefore the front end elevated; how do you drain all 6 quarts of engine oil? I realize 80 to 85% of the oil will drain, but what about the other 15 to 20% of the oil left in the pan?

Or am I probably missing something?

Jerome

Wanted to go to the shop and do a few measurements before I wrote. I have been using a makeshift ramp made out of 2x10s that measures 6.25 inches high with front tires resting on the pad. Needless to say, they are heavier than hell and therefore the motivation to pick up the race ramps.

Having said that, I've yet to change oil on the C5 using the race ramps but they measure 8 inches at the tire pad. That's nearly two inches. When using my treated lumber ramps, I was aware of the camber between front and rear of the oil pan on the C5, but did not give it much thought beyond that. Now race ramps makes a wheel lift cradle, if you wish to call it that, that once the vehicle is lifted you settle the tire into the cradle. However, I have the oil and filter sitting on the shelf and its due so I'll have to think thru that strategy.

If you're expecting a flood, you could leave the C5 up on the lift pads assuming it doesn't go over about 8 inches. Or perhaps, do some other underneath work while its up there.

PS...the C3 never made off the ground for oil changes...and the Jeep is even more oil change friendly.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tire ramps

I agree. I was not even thinking about the C3 other-than it was part of my initial inquiry. I guess I could back the C5 on the ramps, but then I might not get the front end ground clearance and also the difficulty of backing on to the ramps

Setting this all aside you are apparently happy with the "Race Ramp" ramps?

Jerry------

Yes.