Hey FolkZ, I did my first oil change today. The truck sized Rhino ramps (wider -- for 91/2" wheels ) worked, but I had to put weights in front of the ramps to keep them from moving when I tried to drive up on them. I used two tires placed in front of each ramp to keep the ramp from sliding forward,like this >> rampOO. Then, no problem. Without the weight of the tires I could not keep the ramps from sliding forward when I tried to drive up on them.

My Z (stock ride height) did not rub on the ramps, but it did look very close. After removing the 14 bolts and the little plastic snap thing (simply tug/pry the center plastic post down about 1/8 inch and then the whole thing will pull out), the cover came off quite easily. I didn't think that the slot in the cover by the oil drain and filter would give me easy enough access, but after the cover removal/install today I might re-think this in the future, it would certainly save time.

The thing I like most was that when the oil drained from either the oil pan or the filter, it didn't drip on any other part of the car, it drained straight down into my collector. Nice!

The part I liked least was checking the level of the oil using the dipstick after filling with fresh oil. It is always extremely difficult to determine the oil level, more so with fresh oil, with this dipstick design. Aside from the circuitous path of getting the dipstick in and out of the block, the shiny stainless dipstick surface is extremely difficult to read. I have the same problem with my '98 Maxima.

I filled her up with Castrol 5W30 and used the larger Nissan filter (Part # 15208-9E000) that also works for my Maxima. I was astounded that the size of the stock filter was so small! For those purists now about to flame on me for not using a better filter and synthetic oil I have this to say: Better is the enemy of good enough, and costs significantly more. Regular oil changes every 3K miles with dino oil and a new Nissan oil filter are good enough. This car will not be driven in the snow/salt and will get fresh oil and filter before being put away each winter--much more cheaply than with synthetic. I must admit, however, that if I was turbocharged, I'd be using synthetic because of its significantly higher temperature capabilities. It's simply not required for the stock VQ-35 engine. Disclaimer: I do use synthetic on the wife's 1.8Turbo VW Jetta, its even the manufacturers recommended oil there. Cheers, Rich

 

I dont think anyone will flame you for using dino oil, especially when changing every 3k. The only time people flame is when people say dino is as good as synthetic. I use syn for 2 reasons 1. texas is crazy hot 2. Our engines are such high compression engines it is harder on oil that a normal engine.

 

Instead of using tires, I use 2x4's to keep the ramps from moving. But nothing is easier (faster) for lifting the car at home than using ramps, IMO at least

 

Yobri, How does that work with the 2x4s? My tires are heavy which keeps the ramps from moving. Do you fix the 2x4s against the wall or nail them to the ground or something? Give up the secret man! If you've got a superior technique please share. My tires are heavy and I keep them in the basement...save me some backache here. Thanks, Rich

 

Hey Rich, no real secret, just some equal length 2x4s to keep the ramps from moving as I climb them. They are about 6' feet long and are propped flat on the floor and against the wall of the garage (one per ramp). Since I live in an apt building and no auto maintenance is allowed on the premises, I am relegated to oil changes in the garage with the door closed (or 3/4 of the way in most cases). The ramps don't move with the 2x4s set against the floor/wall. And I remove the rubber feet b/c they don't seem to help any in the process