Want to do my own car oil changes - low profile portable ramps ?

Question

I want to do my own oil changes for my car and on family's cars. Tired of being ripped off for £200 services at the stealers. (dealers)

I'm not massively keen on try to work under a car which is lifted up by a jack + axlestands. Added to which its a pain and timeconsuming to get the car up that way.

My car is a 2002 VW Golf and we've got a few other VWs in the family, I was just gonna buy these ramps http://www.toolmix.com/browse/product.asp?pid=58920&s52cnc=KELKOO-UK&s52r=KELKOOSHOPPING but then my brother told me they are probably unsuitable as the Golf's front end is low, and it would scrape in to the bumper trying to drive up on to the ramps and also slip forward as trying to power the car up on to them.

Bit of a long shot but would anyone know where to source ramps suitable for low profile cars ? (at a non-astronomical price)

These Rhino Ramps look ideal but can only find them USA side, and can't find an active UK source.
http://www.autobarn.net/usm11905.html

Answer 1

i was in your same shoes awhile back, but my problem was a bit more difficult. i had a car that was very low to the ground, and big 8" tires, but also, the house i lived in was on a private road on a lake, and it wasnt paved. so i looked for years for a set of ramps that would be wide enough to fit the tires, low enough to the ground to clear my bumper, and had a widebase that wouldnt sink in the gravel driveway.
So i came up with the decision to make my own. I went to the lumber yard and bought some 6x6 treated timbers, some galvanized bolts/screws, and some cedar shims (wont rot),. I borrowed a friends chainsaw, and cut the timber to 4' lengths, i bolted two peices together, and cut them at an angle that would clear my bumper.... i cut up the shims, and stagared them on the angle, so my tires had something to grip.
$30 later, i have a set of ramps that are 12" wide, has a broad base that wont sink in gravel or soft soil, and have an angle that wont rub any bumpers.
its just a suggestion

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

They can tell you about the ramps where you buy them,I don't believe theres any difference I done my own change's for years,it will save you money and you will know whats put in your engine.

Answer 4

well they look like they have a good enough slant on them and your car should be front wheel drive so they definitly won't slide if not heres a way to still use them: put one on the ground and don't try to drive strait up it but try to kind of come up the side me and my brother do it all the time.:)

Answer 5

You can't better an inspection pit. I have one in my garage. Makes car diy, safe and relatively easy.

Answer 6

just do whhat i do extend them with sutable planks of wood then any car will fit!