catdaddylo

I have those metal ramps that you drive upon to raise your front axle 7.5 inches. Makes getting underneath the vehicle a lot easier. My problem is that they have a tendency to scoot forward when you drive on them. Anybody that uses them have this problem and what did you do to correct this? I was thinking of placing them on those rubber waffle mats that you can buy for tool boxes and drawer liners.

salimshah

I dont like ramps for oil change as thy tilt the vehicle and makes the reach for oil filter a bit harder (On RX300). I just lay next to the wheel and the drain plug is within my reach.

Salim

Grumpa72

I take a length of 2X10 lumber, about 3 feet longer than the ramp, and nail a 2X4 across the end of it and then place the ramp on 2X10. With the face of ramp against the 2X4, it won't move.

RX330inFL

Also, think about a set of wheel chocks for the rear wheels...just as a safety item. They are cheap.

catdaddylo

I use the wheel chock and put the emergency brake (parking brake for the younger generation ) and put the trany in Park or 1'rst gear with my BMW.

I will try the 2x10 next time.

stokes2

Catdaddy,

I know this thread is basically how to stop metal racks from sliding. But, I would suggest that you don't even need them for an oil change.

I have changed the oil twice on my RX330 and it is so easy to just slide under the car and remove the small plastic panel (about 5 screws). Once removed, you have easy access to the drain plug and the filter drip guide makes sure that any oil from the filter falls down the same opening. The only difficulty is locating the oil filter under the exhaust manifold. Once you find it, however, removal is very simple with one of those wrenches that slip over the back of the filter. Replacing it is also very simple.

As Salim noted, if you put your car on a ramp it will be more difficult to replace the oil filter. You will either have to get something to stand on to get the the filter or be forced to replace the filter through the bottom of the car. Replacing the filter from the bottom will necessitate taking off the larger front plastic covering right under the bumper. Just a lot of unnecessary additional work.

I would save the ramps for something more substantial.

Bob

grouch

I've had those type of ramps collecting dust in my garage for years. Even with the rubber feet , they do move and they are in the way to get under anything.

I like a good floor jack and jack stands. Properly used, they are safer and much easier to get around. JMO

catdaddylo

Actually I was using the ramps for my BMW Z3. It is way too low to get under without some kind of lift. I ended up using a floor jack to get the front end up on the ramps. I do intend to change the oil and filter myself on my RX but I have just registered 3,000 miles on it and the first oil change at 5,000 miles is free.Anyway, thanks for the info on the 5 srcews and the oil filter location.

inspired

hei Bob, i was wondering where did you get your filter romover from. i tried to change my oil today but couldn't find the right tool to remove the oil canaster. so i just drain and refill it with new oil for now till i get the right tool to do the job.

stokes2

Inspired,

I think the one I used I bought at Pep Boys, but most auto supply stores have them. They are made out of metal and fit over the back of the filter. They grip the indentations in the filter cover. And they have a 3/8" ratchet wrench fitting on the back.

I have tried just about all the other versions and cannot seem to get them to work in the small spaces on most Japanese vehicles. (I also change the oil on my Suzuki XL-7 4-wheel drive which has just about no space to remove the filter.) And just skip the plastic versions. They are a complete waste of money.

Since there are so many sizes it helps to standardize on whatever brand of oil filter you are going to use. The OEM filters for the RX330 are about $5 each at your Toyota dealer (even cheaper in quantity on E-Bay). I was spending about $10 for my Mobil 1 filters before I decided to use the OEM filters. Anyway, you want to be sure the filter wrench works on the filter size you select (or you can end up buying a number of these things).

As a side note: It has been my experience that the factories always seem to over-tighten the oil filters. So, if you are doing this for the first time you will definitely need to have the wrench.

Hope this helps.
Bob

salimshah

The factory most probably sprays clear varnish or some thing similar ... in fact all nuts and bolts on engine are hard to get going the first time.

Salim