Question about ramps...

[der Geist]

You're kiddin right? Not only is gravity gonna want to make the front tires roll but it will also act on he ramp to try and push it back as the tires want to roll. I have seen the seals on jacks blow while the car is up, jack stands slip and cars roll because a chock slipped. I have seen many of the new plastic chocks slip especially when cold. I hope you are extra, extra careful if you are gonna keep doing it this way.

The way you are describing is NOT as safe as the other ways.

Originally Posted by Frodo

Yeah, but just think about it for a sec. I back the car onto ramps while the front end is uphill from the rear end. BUT, once I'm on the ramps, the car is level. Soooo, even unchocked, it's really not inclined to go anywhere. Then, I go ahead and double chock it anyway.

Believe me, I've never "risked my life to save 15 minutes on an oil change".

The way I've described is as safe as any I've read about, other than (arguably) using a lift.

[Frodo]

Nope, I’m not kidding---are you?? 1) The chocks I use are also of 4x4 material (cut at 45 degree diagonals, to fit nicely under the front and back of one of the front tires) and have sawn faces (read: rough); they DON’T slip, AT ALL (I highly doubt they’d slip even if wet); 2) while the front tires are still on the upward slope, the ramps are on level driveway; they DON’T slip, AT ALL either; 3) as stated earlier: so the oil drains properly, once backed onto the ramps, the car is level: even unchocked, it has NO tendency to roll in EITHER direction. Add to that the chunks of 4x4 at the high ends of the ramps (against which the rear aspect of the rear tires rest), plus the two heavy wooden chocks. Toss in the fact (not previously mentioned) that the hand brake is on and the car’s in either 1st or reverse, and I guarantee you that car ain’t going anywhere.

(AND, I have no worries about a jack seal blowing. )

Set up as described, I DEFY you to push this car off the ramp. I feel as safe changing my oil with this set up as I do sitting in front of my TV in my bathrobe watchin' Monday Night Football.