Oil change on ramps - drive off for final top-up?

[MajorMantra]

I'm planning to change the oil on my Eunos, something I've not done before. I have ramps and axle stands, but until I have a proper jack I'm sticking with the former.

Do I need to drive the car off the ramps before doing the final top-up to get the oil level bang-on? Or will it be close enough with the car at a slight angle?

Is the best approach to put in most of the oil (say 3.5 litres or so), and then drive off and finish the job?

[P I Staker]

Definitely best to do it on the level.

[steveo3002]

find out how much it takes and measure in that amount

then double check once its been ran and stood on flat ground

[DuraAce]

Buy an extraction pump. No need to be messing about with jacks and axle stands.

[kambites]

Ideally you should run the engine for a bit (to fill the new oil filter, etc) and then check the dip stick with the car on a flat surface. It's also worth checking it again after a few trips to make sure you haven't got any leaks.

[kambites]

DuraAce said:

Buy an extraction pump. No need to be messing about with jacks and axle stands.

Surely you've still got to jack the thing up to change the filter anyway? I've got a pump for changing gearbox oil but I've never seen the point in using it for the engine.

Edited by kambites on Monday 11th May 08:55

[MajorMantra]

It should take a bit under 4l, so I'll put close to that in before moving it then...

DuraAce said:

Buy an extraction pump. No need to be messing about with jacks and axle stands.

Maybe one day. But I'd rather do it the traditional way first, for the experience.

[MajorMantra]

kambites said:

Surely you've still got to jack the thing up to change the filter anyway? I've got a pump for changing gearbox oil but I've never seen the point in using it for the engine.

Edited by kambites on Monday 11th May 08:55

The filter on the NA is accessible from above actually. I've already stuck my hand in there to make sure I can undo it without tools.

[one eyed mick]

Oil fiter is accessed from under bonnet , drop the oil put the car on the floor add 3.5 litres ,run up a few mins swich off and let settle check and top up as required , its not rocket science

[DuraAce]

kambites said:

Surely you've still got to jack the thing up to change the filter anyway? I've got a pump for changing gearbox oil but I've never seen the point in using it for the engine.

Edited by kambites on Monday 11th May 08:55

Obviously it depends on the car. Mine has plastic shields underneath so its much easier and quicker to use the extractor.

[DuraAce]

MajorMantra said:

Maybe one day. But I'd rather do it the traditional way first, for the experience.

Experience taking a sump plug in and out, and the hassle of jacking up etc? Knock yourself out of course, it's your car. I'm a big fan of the easy, simple option.

[kambites]

DuraAce said:

Obviously it depends on the car. Mine has plastic shields underneath so its much easier and quicker to use the extractor.

And can you change the oil filter without dripping oil all over the under-tray? Even on cars where you can actually reach the thing from the top, I generally struggle with that.

[DuraAce]

Again, it depends on the car /engine doesn't it?

Mine has a paper cartridge accessed from the top. It's positioned vertically so it can be changed without spilling a room.

[kambites]

Fair enough, I've never come across an installation like that.

[Penelope Stopit]

You must always dip it after running it. As long as you check the level frequently you will get better fuel consumption by not topping it up to the full mark on the dip stick, put enough oil in so that the level is between the full and low marks and check it often

[Howard-]

I use ramps to change oil and I tend to just shove the car off the ramps after replacing the filter and sump plug, and before actually re-filling the oil.

[DJP]

I use a measured approach - ie I actually measure the amount of oil I put in.

My car takes 4.3 litres, so I put in just shy of 4 litres with it on the ramps then drive it off and top it up the rest of the way on the level.

[DJP]

DuraAce said:

Buy an extraction pump. No need to be messing about with jacks and axle stands.

On every car I've owned, the filter needs to be removed from underneath rendering a pump somewhat pointless.

[andyiley]

kambites said:

Ideally you should run the engine for a bit (to fill the new oil filter, etc) and then check the dip stick with the car on a flat surface. It's also worth checking it again after a few trips to make sure you haven't got any leaks.

Surely you fill the filter before running the car?

I have always done so & it HAS to be the better way that having a known high volume part of the system empty on start up!

[DuraAce]

DJP said:

On every car I've owned, the filter needs to be removed from underneath rendering a pump somewhat pointless.

Depends on you/your car doesn't it? The last 5/6 cars I've owned used paper cartridges located on top of the engine. Extractor works a treat in those situations. No need to jack the car up or remove the underbody shields.