Lifting Your Car Safely: Using Ramps and Jack Stands for Oil Changes

Why Ramps and Jack Stands Are a Safer Approach

When you change your oil at home, you need your car lifted high enough to slide underneath. Many people use only a jack, but that can be risky. Ramps and jack stands offer a more stable way to keep your vehicle up while you work.

Ramps create a gradual slope that your car drives onto. Jack stands are metal supports that hold your car in place once it's lifted. Using both together—or using ramps alone—reduces the chance of your car slipping or falling while you're working underneath it.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these items:

• A pair of ramps (rated for your car's weight)
• Jack stands (optional but recommended for extra safety)
• Wheel chocks or blocks to prevent rolling
• A level, flat surface like a driveway or garage floor
• Your oil change supplies (oil, filter, wrench, drain pan)

Check your vehicle's manual or the ramp packaging to make sure the ramps can support your car's weight.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Car Ready

1. Find a safe, level spot

Park on a flat surface. Avoid slopes, gravel, or soft ground. Your driveway or garage floor works well.

2. Warm up your engine slightly

Run your engine for a minute or two so the oil flows more easily. Then turn it off and wait a few minutes—you want the oil warm but not hot enough to burn you.

3. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels

Chocks are wedges that stop your car from rolling backward. Position them firmly against the rear tires. You can use wood blocks if you don't have chocks.

4. Position the ramps

Place both ramps on the ground in front of the front tires, aligned so your car will drive straight onto them. Make sure they're on level ground and won't shift.

Driving Onto the Ramps

Slowly drive your car forward onto the ramps. Go straight and centered—don't veer to one side. Stop when your front tires are firmly on the ramps and your car feels stable.

Shift into Park and set the parking brake. Turn off the engine.

Adding Jack Stands (Optional But Recommended)

If you have jack stands, they add an extra layer of safety. Here's how:

• Use a jack to lift the front of your car a few inches higher than the ramps
• Slide a jack stand under the frame on each side, positioned securely
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands
• Remove the jack

Now your car is supported by both the ramps and the jack stands. This is the safest setup for working underneath.

Working on Your Oil Change

Once your car is lifted and stable, you have room to:

• Locate the drain plug underneath
• Remove the old oil filter
• Drain the old oil into a pan
• Install a new filter
• Add new oil

Work slowly and carefully. If anything feels unstable or unsafe, stop and reassess before continuing.

Lowering Your Car Safely

When you're finished:

• If you used jack stands, use the jack to lift the car slightly
• Remove the jack stands
• Lower the car gently back onto the ramps
• Slowly drive forward off the ramps onto level ground
• Remove the wheel chocks

Let your car sit for a minute, then check your oil level with the dipstick to make sure you added the right amount.

Safety Tips to Remember

• Never work under a car supported only by a jack
• Always use wheel chocks to prevent rolling
• Check that ramps and jack stands are rated for your vehicle's weight
• Work on level, solid ground
• Keep the engine off while you work underneath
• If anything feels wrong, stop and get help

When to Seek Professional Help

If you're uncomfortable working under your car, or if your vehicle has unusual features that make this process difficult, a mechanic can handle your oil change instead. There's no shame in letting someone with experience do the work.