Hello, this may be a silly question...but what do you guys use to lift up your car for doing work on exhaust or oil changes? ramps or jacks?

I read in the forum that ramps are only used for lowered cars so then it can be raised by a jack...but people have said that you can also use the ramp to raise the car...I'm confused....

 

Ramps are nice, but you need to find one specifically for low profile cars. The typical Rhino Ramps at Sears don't fit under my IX because of the "Zero Lift" package in the front.

You can use the ramp to raise up the car, but a low profile ramp like the Takata LDS Ramp only lifts it up by a few inches - enough to get a hand jack under it, but not really enough to do any serious work. After the Rhino Ramps failed to work for me, I went to Costco to buy a low-profile hand jack instead. It's just $100 there.

If you do get a hand-jack, then jack stands are a must.

 

You should never get under a car being held up by a jack and/or jack stands. You should use ramps whenever possible. I picked up a pair at Walmart for ~$35 and they work great and I have a lowered car (Tein S-Techs). Granted, if I had a body kit, I wouldn't be able to use them, but for now I'm good. Its much much safer. Jacks are fine and great to raise the car up as long as you aren't getting under the car.

 

I used the black Rhino ramps. The gray Rhino ramps offer heavier support (more expensive). I had no problems getting up my ramps with stock setup. Theres was some slight room if I had a shorter springs too. Someone may have to confirm that they have used Rhino ramps with a lowered suspension. I can see the some steel ramps have a large entry angle, so I'd stay away from those.

 

I use those same ramps - the black Rhino ones - made of plastic and I'm lowered 2 inches all around.

 

I use jack and jackstands

 

Must be my Zero Lift Package then, because those black Rhino Ramp absolutely don't fit on my IX MR. They should rename it to Zero Clearance Package... =(

 

I was thinking about getting ramps too...here in canada, they sell these good ones with extension for $20 canadian

the only downside with ramps is that I can't rotate tires.......

 

Shouldn't the car be level if you're changing oil? Will all the oil drain on Rhino Ramps?

 

^^ Depends where your drain plug is located with respect to the pan. If its at the back and you lift the car from the front, then there's no problem. This is the case for my OZ. I'm not sure about other cars, but its fine for the Lancer.

 

Just buy an in ground lift... and a bigger garage. For you guys with real low clearance... build your own. Make it as shallow as you need and you can still go tall. I've had lowered cars with ground effects up on homemade ramps 2x10 base with 2 2x4s and 2x10s alternating stacked up. Turn your circ saw on a 30* and they'll work perfect. Thing may end up big and heavy, but who cares lean em up against the wall in your garage.