oil change

Too severe for a Prius?

The shorter-than-average front and obsence amount of low-end torque should make getting up & down ramps a breeze. I've got a nice set, but have never used them for either Prius. Why bother?

The offset engine and the behind-the-wheel access make just jacking up the one corner a for oil changes ready handy. There's photos of that here... http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm

 

Ramps do work, and they work pretty well. I got "Rhino Ramps" at Checker's auto parts. Cost about $20. I felt that this was a bit safer than using a jack/jack stands.

Just a note, it is possible (and easy enough) to do an oil change just by reaching under the car. I would recommend using an oil filter wrench; it's a little bit awkward to get at the oil filter when not using ramps.

For my last oil change I didn't use ramps or jackstands. While the oil was draining out of the plug I rotated the driver's side tires. Put the plug back in, took out the oil filter and while that was draining, rotated the passanger's side tires. Put a new filter back on, added oil and was good to go.

A safety note: Never get under the car when suported only by a jack. It could be the last thing you do.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

Shawn...where did you jack up the car so you can access both front and rear tires for rotation? I want to do the same. Thanks.

Brian

 

I'd jack up the back at the point indicated in the manual (right behind the back door, I think), swap the back tire for the spare. Lower the back. Jack up the front at the point indicated in the manual (right near the front of the front door). Swap back tire for front tire. Lower front. Jack up back. Swap front tire for spare.

Kind of a pain, but I figure between that and the oil change I save about $50. So if it takes me 1.5 hours, that's like earning ~$34/hour. Besides, if I do get a flat, I *know* The lugnuts haven't been put on too tight to loosen with the lugnut wrench Toyota provided. I'll also have a better chance of noticing if air has been leaking out the spare. So, for me, the benefits outweigh the trouble.

And of course I'd block the wheels on the opposite side of the car.

 

I wonder if there is a "central point" to jack up the car so only 1 car-jacking (sorry!) is needed?

 

I swapped the right side tires in my Odyssey a month ago but I used both my jack and my wife's Subaru jack. Left side tires blocked, car in park. Lifted it JUST high enough to get the tires off. Took off the front tire and put it in a position it would catch the car if it dropped. I was also quick moving the rear onto the front studs then put the front on the back before I tightened any nuts. It was actually quite stable, the jacks are each rated for half the weight of the car so they weren't stressed.

 

two words: JACK STANDS

If you can ignore those two, there are two others,

LIFE INSURANCE

(rino ramps are the way to go)

 

Bought a hydroulic jack at Pep Boys for $15. Much easier than cranking car jacks. I installed my mudflaps and rotated the tires today. I did use jack stands to keep the car up while I swapped tires. One problem though: I had difficulty finding the appropriate place to put the jack stand after I jacked up the car, you see, the hydroulic jack was using the spot (indicated in the manual) where you're suppose to lift the car, so I had to put the jack stand slightly to the front for the rear tire before I released the hydroulic to do the front tire. :wink:

Anyone know an alternate place to hold up the Prius?