Are ramps necessary for DIY hybrid oil change?

[BlueSpec1]

How many of y'all are missing this cover in the middle of the undercarriage shield?

Nothing there on my splash shield.

I'd read AWD had an air scoop that fit the hole at one time.
Is this normal or is something missing?

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[sanpablo]

Title says it all?

I bought these ramps, lifts the Mav a little under 3 inches. Should be enough room for oil change. If not I'll use my floor jack and jack stand.

 

[colinl]

Funny someone mentioned brewing because I've changed the oil in my car while brewing beer and neither activity was impacted time wise

beer was pretty dark, I bet?

 

[sprubs]

beer was pretty dark, I bet?

It might have been! I do make a lot of porters.

 

[huunvubu]

Yea not enough space to crawl underneath.

That said, you can get to the tranny drain plug without the ramps and it's advisable since it would keep the truck level without having to jack the entire truck up. Simply turn the wheels to the left and there ya go. You will need an extension though...



I wouldn't even use that on a bicycle. ProjectFarm just did a good video on Jack Stands just did a good video on Jack Stands and it's pretty surprising how many cheap flimsy stands are sold now days.

For those interested here is the ProjectFarm video on Jack Stands:

 

[wax87]

Nothing there on my splash shield.

I'd read AWD had an air scoop that fit the hole at one time.
Is this normal or is something missing?

I think I am going to cover mine up, I can believe that big opening is good for long term life of the splash guard.

 

[zeen]

I bought these ramps, lifts the Mav a little under 3 inches. Should be enough room for oil change. If not I'll use my floor jack and jack stand.

Very cool, if they aren't too expensive. I tried crawling under my hybrid before changing the oil, and it was too low. I ended up rolling up on a couple of 2x6s, which was barely enough. This seems like the perfect height, and more professional than 2x6s.

 

[sanpablo]

Very cool, if they aren't too expensive. I tried crawling under my hybrid before changing the oil, and it was too low. I ended up rolling up on a couple of 2x6s, which was barely enough. This seems like the perfect height, and more professional than 2x6s.

$40 from EBay for the ramps.

 

[Montana]

I bought these ramps, lifts the Mav a little under 3 inches. Should be enough room for oil change. If not I'll use my floor jack and jack stand.

And some chock blocks hopefully.

 

[JBL14]

Don't think I could have changed the oil/filter without ramps.

- there are a boat load of torx screws holding the bottom baffle thing on. The screws toward the rear would be particularly challenging to remove without [safely] lifting the vehicle a bit, imo.
- the factory oil filter seems to have been installed by Thor... so I appreciated the extra space to wrestle it off
- free tip: I covered the lower coolant hoses with a plastic bag (pictured) to shield against drips coming out of the filter housing when spinning the old filter off.

Not sure it will be easy on Maverick but try punching hole in filter first.

 

[KDay]

Not sure it will be easy on Maverick but try punching hole in filter first.

Good idea. I'll give it a go next time. Thank you!

 

[sanpablo]

And some chock blocks hopefully.

Of course, emergency brake and wheels chocked always.

 

[S Dundee]

I prefer jackstands over ramps. Easier to store, less hassle driving off the ramps.

Doing it yourself takes away worry someone lost fasteners or torqued the plug down stupid tight.

Really true. A friend has a Toyota with free 2 year maintenance and the dealer put back a dirty cabin filer and used an airgun on the bolts for the splash pan. He spent more time correcting the "free service" and at the dealer complaining about it than if he had done it himself.

 

[zeen]

Good idea. I'll give it a go next time. Thank you!

I tried that. It helped a bit, but enough oil still spilled out upon removal that it didn't matter.

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