What is the method for changing engine oil without a lift?
4 Answers
The method for changing engine oil without a lift is to find a pit, drive the car over it, and then go down into the pit to change the oil. The steps for changing the oil are: 1. Lift the car, remove the protective plate, and place a container of about 10 liters under the oil drain screw; 2. Unscrew the oil drain screw, use an air gun to blow for two minutes at the oil filler port, after draining the oil, tighten the oil drain screw and wipe it with a tissue to check for oil leaks; 3. Reinstall the protective plate and lower the car, then use a funnel to add oil at the oil filler port. The functions of engine oil are: 1. Lubricating the engine to reduce wear; 2. Cleaning and purifying; 3. Cooling and lowering temperature; 4. Preventing rust and corrosion.
I've been changing my own oil at home for years, mainly relying on a jack when I don't have access to a lift. First, park the car on level ground and engage the parking brake. Use the jack to lift the front of the car, remembering to place safety stands on both sides for stability. Warm up the car for five minutes to help the old oil flow better. Crawl under the car to locate the drain plug, and place an oil drain pan underneath before loosening it with a wrench. After all the old oil has drained, replace the oil filter, being careful not to overtighten the drain plug when screwing it back in. Use a funnel when pouring in new oil to prevent spills, and it's advisable to have gloves and cardboard to lie on. Don't rush the process—my first time took two hours, but now I can get it done in half an hour.
As an experienced car owner, I believe the safest way to change oil without a lift is to find a small dirt ditch or curb and drive the front wheels onto it to naturally raise the front of the car. Prepare the new oil, filter, wrench set, and oil drain pan in advance. Wearing safety goggles is crucial during the operation—last time, oil almost splashed into my eyes. After loosening the drain plug, let the oil flow out slowly, and don’t rush to remove the filter to avoid burns. Before pouring in new oil, double-check that the drain plug is tightened. After the change, remember to run the engine for a minute and then check the dipstick. This method eliminates the risks of using a jack, but be mindful not to park on too steep a slope.
I prefer using rubber ramps instead of a jack - just drive the car onto the ramps for convenience and stability. The process is quite simple: drive onto the ramps when the engine is cold, turn off the engine and wait ten minutes. Lay down an old mat when crawling under the car to stay clean. The key is using the correct oil filter wrench, as filter locations vary by vehicle - Japanese cars are usually easier to access. Draining old oil takes about 30 minutes to fully empty, during which I clean the engine bay. When adding new oil, watch the dipstick markings and don't exceed the maximum level. The whole process takes about an hour. I always collect used oil in bottles and take them to auto shops for recycling.
