who has changed their own oil?

Have you measured? My ramps are clearly too tall for that.

It will be jack & stands for me. But not until August.
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ramps might not be such a good idea, not only for clearance concerns, but i believe it might cause drain/fill inaccuracies.

 

Yes, if you have a new car that hasn't had a chance to build up sludge, an extractor is awesome! Highly recommended.

Anybody know if you can change the oil filter without raising the car (i.e., while the car is level on the ground)?

 

What sludge do you expect to build up on a 2010 Prius using synthetic oil that's changed every 5K??

The problem with that method is that you still have to get under the car to change the filter, so what benefit is it?

You can get a low profile race ramp. It can fit under cars that are even lower than any stock Prius


Probably not worth the effort to buy all this stuff, change your own oil and have to still drive somewhere to dispose of the old oil. Might as well just pay the dealer $70 every 5,000 miles to handle it for you.
You have to realize that a 50 mpg Prius is really equivalent in mileage cost to a 40 mpg car with normally priced and spaced oil changes.

 

Yes, it can be done, though it's much easier the second time. I've parked my Gen2 on the slight slope leading into my garage, and found I can slide right under. The filter wrench I had was awkward and not quite the right size, so I just use my hand. A headlamp helps, and of course having all the tools within reach is more convenient.

 

Thanks; what I meant to say was "if you have a car that hasn't had a chance to build up sludge..."