Oil change interval question

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Jan 10, 2024 | 12:31 PM

#46

hotwings

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Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 731

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From: MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by salimshah

hmm! I would say Lexus has same/similar jacking up options as other unibody vehicles.

There is a pinch seam which requires a slot in the jack-stand head or floor jack head. Then there is the dilemma of where to place floor jack to lift and stick the jack stand underneath.

Based on my size [med weight and long arms] I can do oil changes without lifting the RX.

Salim

The center jack points in the front and rear of the ES are very easy to locate and to use with a floor jack. I have not tried jacking the rear yet, it looks like there is an exhaust pipe to work around.

The pinchwelds are another story. They are easy to locate and work well with the factory scissor jack, but not very well with jack stands. The problem is there is plastic trim (part of the rocker panel) very close to the pinch weld and there is very little open area around it for a decent size jack stand (like an ESCO with the flat 4" diameter top). The plastic rocker panel trim and nearby floor boards are in the way. To make matters worse, the designated pinchweld area is not at the same height as the rest of the double seam, maybe for the better so people don't try to use the unreinforced area. They definitely make it difficult to support, I would love to see how a Lexus dealer mounts their lifts.

I have ordered some pinchweld adapters and will see how well they fit, and am leaning towards using an aluminum jackstand with a 2"x2" flat top. The adapter does not support the bottom knife edge of the pinchweld, but on the inside shoulder just like the factory scissor jack would.

Last edited by hotwings; Jan 10, 2024 at 12:47 PM.

Jan 11, 2024 | 07:44 AM

#47

RX in NC

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From: NC

Some folks use old hockey pucks with a slit cut across the top of them to fit the knife-edge pinchwelds down into them. This is an old Canadian trick that has been around for decades.

Jan 11, 2024 | 12:29 PM

#48

salimshah

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From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX in NC

Some folks use old hockey pucks with a slit cut across the top of them to fit the knife-edge pinchwelds down into them. This is an old Canadian trick that has been around for decades.

The rubberized pads are now sold as lift pads.

I have a block of 4x4 [x4] and I just cut a shallow slot with couple of passes of saw. Then I sliced off 1/8" on side of the block to mimic the scissor jack head. That piece stays with my floor jack.
Disclaimer: It is recommended to not add anything between the jack and the vehicle. I assume risk for my use only.

Salim

Last edited by salimshah; Jan 12, 2024 at 08:48 PM.

Jan 11, 2024 | 12:53 PM

#49

RX in NC

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From: NC

^^ I have done the same thing with previous vehicles many years ago.

Jan 12, 2024 | 08:51 AM

#50

chas410

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Joined: Oct 2016

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From: Oklahoma

I also use a wood block but only made out of Oak or Ash because it's a hardwood and make sure the pinch seem runs cross grain.

Jan 12, 2024 | 02:33 PM

#51

Clutchless

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From: VA

That is what I did, used oak to make 4 wood blocks and cut a slot for the pinch weld across the grain on a friend's table saw. I then molded some JB Weld putty epoxy on the bottom in the shape of my jack stands to support them in the middle. Only one has cracked a bit in 15 years.