Lifting Car For Oil Change/Jacking Points

Good morning everyone,

I have 2,500 miles and was going to do the first oil change service on my Tundra. I have a SR5 TRD OR with a front skid plate and the front bumper aero deflector.

I was wondering how everyone has been doing their oil changes with the skid plate I was going to jack the front cross member but it's blocked by my skid plate. Do I just Jack of the side of the frame and place a jack stand on each side?

Or do you guys use ramps? I have a set of stands and rather not have to spend money on ramps if not necessary.

Thanks

 

Rhino Ramps. Then remove the skid plate. Funny thing is I used to be able to change the oil on my Tacoma with the truck on the ground. But not this Tundra.

 

Same experience for me lol

OP, if you need to jack it up or support it, here’s a helpful pic:

 

I'm not a small man but I changed oil without lifting the truck.

 

Do you have the skid plate and the aero shield? I can get under without lifting but I can't get under with the aero deployed to get the bolts on the skid off

 

Thanks but the front jack point is kind useless since I have the front skid plate.

 

These are the factory recommended jack/stand locations for the Gen 3 Tundras.

 

Leveled on 35’s. So no need to jack it up for oil changes. I have the TRD skid plate and front air dam too. I can remove the skid plate without lowering the air dam. Front two bolt is covered by air dam but the air dam flexes just enough to fit a 3/8 Milwaukee electric ratchet and a deep socket.

To put it on jack stands. I start with the front, first jacking it up by the frame one side at time and placing jack stand underneath the points in the helpful pic above. Then jack both rear tire up same time by the rear diff. Jack stand under frame. Now all four tires off the ground for tire rotation.

I don’t use ramps since I rotate tires same time I do oil changes. Every 5k.

 

No problem if you don't have the TRD skid. Trying to get that skid off and on with long arms, I need a little more clearance to work. Thing is pretty heavy and it is awkward if you can't extend your arms a bit.

 

I get under not from the front where the "aero shield" is ( actually it has different name -air dam). I get there from behind the front wheel.

And I don't rotate the tires. I payed Wal-Mart $45 for lifetime balance and rotation and go there every 5k miles. Great investment. They do it while I'm shopping. In my boonies Wal-Mart is the sourse for everything. Before I did in at Costco while in CA., but they are sloppy MFCRS. Really bad
Btw, Wal-Mart guys here do a good job, I never had any issues with them with my cars.

 

Build my own ramps from 2x10s and use the floor jack to slide out/in the TRD skid plate. (4Low rolls right up there) Super easy and fast.

 

I drive up onto 2 2x6's (slightly offset) & it gives enough room to get under the air dam for me. The 2x6's feel much more sturdy than the Rhino ramps for me.

 

I know you said you don't wanna spend money on ramps but that's gonna be the best and easiest method for quick and easy oil changes going forward. As previous members said, DIY some ramps as they are a great investment. One DIY oil change alone will pay for itself. I've made several and even sold a few. Super simple design..


But you can get fancy like my brother did for ones he built me and build them with removable ramps..


Good luck!

BTW...kudos to OP for DIYing the first oil change and not letting the dealer touch it

 

Rhino Ramps for the win here, but I do love the home-brew 2X10 versions as well.

 

Step 1- buy 37” tires
Step 2- use a Fumoto valve for a no mess oil change

 

I drive onto the curb with the front and rear right tires. This gives me enough clearance to slide under the truck.

 

I just drive the front tires onto 2x4's and just slide under the truck, plenty of room for me.

 

No ramps for me - just slide under and take care of business. Have a fumoto valve which makes it pretty much no mess and no fuss. Drop the air-dam by pressing the windshield washer control handle up after turning the truck off - remove the oil filler cap and dip stick - slide under the truck with the oil catch pan and open the fumoto valve and while it is draining I remove the skid - loosen and remove the filter (remember to make use of the oil drain catch funnel). Once the filter is off and the old oil is out I close the valve, install the new filter, add 7.5 qts of oil (7.7 to fill), put the filler cap and dip stick back in, start it up for a bit, check the oil level and adjust as needed, check the work, put things back where they came from and reset the maintenance reminder.

 

If you don't have a lift and big tires, the auto air dam is literally about 4" off the ground when deployed. You boys who can slide under that without ramps must be anorexic midgets.

 

Not to nit-pick, but you have to push windshield washer lever UP to the mist position to manually deploy the air dam.

 

You always quasi-finish your oil change 1 quart less than you should have??
(first time I heard of anyone filling 1 full qt less, then starting her up, and subsequently adding/adjusting)

3rd gen officially calls for 7.7qts.........but if you're not scared to be a heathen like me and some others, just dump 8 full qts in there, slam the hood, and move on with your life.

 

Slide in from behind the front tire. I'm 6' 180lbs. Also 70yrs of age.

 

7.7 qts official. If you are a diy person
it matters. Maybe you can convince the Mothership to just round it up to 8qts. A little extra oil won't hurt your turbos or emission parts. Or will it?

 

Any way you do it, just do it yourself. Save the $$, spend quality time with your ride, & know its done right.
I won't even take mine for the free services, I avoid all dealers at all costs unless its absolutely necessary.

 

I like the feeling of torquing the lugs after the oil change, going for a test drive and checking torque again. There’s always at least one that needs a little extra.

The dealer doesn’t do that. Jiffy lube doesn’t do that.

it takes a little “extra”, but it’s worth it to me.