7 Oil Change Tools You Need for a DIY Oil Change
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Car Jack
Your car may already have a jack with the spare tire. It’s only meant for changing a tire, not elevating the car to work on the engine. It’s better to have a floor jack for lifting the car high enough for you to get underneath while changing the oil.
Floor jacks with wheels for easy maneuverability and a hydraulic hand pump are convenient and most common. This BlackhawkService Jack can lift 3-1/2 tons up to 22 inches off the ground. It does, however, weigh 85 pounds, not super light to pull around.
Lighter on the arms and the wallet is the Pro-Lift Hydraulic Trolley Jack. It weighs 18 pounds and can lift 1-1/2 tons up to 12 inches.
Choose a floor jack with a lifting capacity greater than your automobile’s Gross Vehicle Weight, and whose maximum lifting height is at least as high as the service jack in your trunk.
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Jack Stands
Once you’ve lifted your car with the car jack, you’ll need jack stands to safely keep it there for the duration of the oil change. Aluminum and steel jack stands are both fine, despite aluminum’s bad rap for not being as strong.
Steel jack stands are less expensive than aluminum but a little heavier. These Pro-Lift Double Pin Jack Stands weigh about 6-1/2-lbs. each and together will hold three tons.
For an aluminum set, the Torin Big Red Lightweight Jack Stands also hold three tons and weigh about 10 pounds combined. The Torin jack stands go up to 15-5/8-in. high, while the Pro-Lift raises to 16-3/4-inches.
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