Oil change question

1. I am not sure why you feel the need to use jack stands if the car is raised up on decent front ramps.
2. An alternative to using jack stands as a supplement to the ramps, is simply to use your floor hydraulic jack, on the side of the car that you are located at.

 

slide some plywood under the stands?

 

Possibly he wants to work on the wheels, check tires. I have had the same problem with every Prius.
1 The car sets too low, can't fit ramps
2 I don't trust or like the car jack

Can anybody suggest one point where a hydraulic jack can lift the front end until stands are inserted.
Am always leary of lifting point.
TY

 

I use a 2-ft length of 2x4 in the floor jack saddle and lift the car, one side at a time, near the lifting points on the rail. Then I place the jack stands at the lifting points.

 

TY Pat that is roughly the way I have done it. Using my elec jack on one side and a hydraulic on the other. With previous cars finding the balance point was much easier, behind the oil pan and on the strong portion of the driveshaft, always in the middle but not too far rearward. The Prius is not that open to lifting.

Wishing you and all the other Prius Chatters a Happy and Productive New Year.

 

I wouldn't advise the use of water on the engine, water can spell havoc on the electrical wiring and cable.steam pressure or a degreaser foam can is the best option.

 

For the past 60 years I have been rinsing off with H2O, no harm at all. Do not saturate, a fine spray. Do not concentrate on wire cabling, openings, etc. I always use Simple green.

 

Those look very good and I commend you for taking the time and effort to make them. Me...I just bought jack stands and a floor jacks years ago because it's just easier and you are not limited to just "on wheel" maintenance. Don't have much use for ramps.

 

I have lightly sprayed my engine area once a month since August with no negative issues. I do stay away from the electrical side with high pressure as nothing but dust seems to affect that side. The engine side I use a little more pressure, but overall, I stay away from the electrical side. Has anyone gotten any notification to not spray the engine compartment at all?

 

Very Nice Job !

 

someone here made full length ramps from 2 x 12's. he can drive the whole car up and work under it while it's level.

 

That's really long, I may try something. I need another project. Just finished 4 more solar panels.

 

nice, how many kilowatts do you have now?

 

Had 1 now have 2, really doing it for tax break.

 

does it charge your car?

 

No too little, right now it's none, no Sun, imagine CA with no Sun, I'm going back to Boston.

 

yikes! had our first sunny day in two weeks.