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Hi all, I got some ramps on the weekend, drove the front up but was wondering if I were to then jack the rear up and put stands under it, it would be safe enough for me to get under and change the transmission fluid? My second question-do you place the jack stands where you place the normal jack as if you were changing a tyre? or somewhere else.
I attempted to change the transmission fluid on the weekend, but got a bit toey not sure if just driving the front up on the ramps is safe. The other flip side of just using the ramp is the car wouldnt be level to refill. Any suggestion much appreciated, and apologies for the novice questions. cheers

Jack from the diff, then place stand under the jack points.

Jeo wrote:Jack from the diff, then place stand under the jack points.

x2 - overiously on flat ground also. as you cannot use the handbrake to gearbox to stop the car rolling/moving, as the rear wheels will be off the ground.

I'm also insanely paranoid about creeping under a car, so I have the entire car jacked up, car stands on the four points, the I place tyres and rims depending where you are working around the car. So I was working on my exhaust so I needed the ass end, I put four rims around the car stands. Gives me and my gf peace of mind that the car wont wobble off the stands and crush me, as I know if it falls off, even with wheels on the car, I'm a dead man. (As light mx5s are....)

I jack up from the sills, just behind the jacking points (trolley jack with a block of wood on top to give a bit more height), then put the stands at the jacking point on the sill.



the front wheels were chocked at both sides with bricks, and a pair of wheels from the other car.

I have always thrown a wheel or 2 underneath just incase the car drops, Rather damage a rim or 2 than me.

It did happen once when I had a side mounted jack (aweful things but when you have a flat , not much choice) on a VK commodore. Put the spare underneath and before working , the car rocked off and it saved bending the discs.

ok, so I dont have any spare tyres to put under the car lying around just in case-what else could I use? Thanks to all for the above advice too

You've already got four good wheels attached to your car. Just take them off and park them under the brake discs in case the car drops. Gives you a good opportunity to rotate your tyres while you're at it.

thick pieces of wood?
telephone books?
(just remember that yellow pages are just sheets of paper so you need to wedge it in abit before they will support weight)

I have always dríven up ramps and used stands on the rear and I leave the jack under the diff for good measure....

I have never taken the wheels off but I guess its not a bad idea...

Ok so I finally did it. drove the 5 onto ramps, jacked the rear up and placed on stands and the did my first oil and filter change! yay. the oil that came out was crap!, and went all over me, but hey I did it., next up is the transmission fluid. Funny to see me car jacked up though. Thanks again for all the advice.

I would have thought it's better to reverse the car onto the ramps then you could pull the handbrake to stop it from rolling off. I think the wheels are wedged in the ramps but you never know.... Then you can place stands, wheels, jack, etc that makes you feel safe.