I used to use the simple scissor jack to rotate my own tires periodically. It gets expensive, not to mention a time sink to wait for some shop to get someone loose to do it for me if I pay to have it done. Since there is no jack in the GT, can some of you suggest the easiest and fastest way to handle tire rotation out of the shop? No spare, so you can't use the "mickey mouse" as a place holder. Blocks are a pain and can damage the undercarriage if you aren't careful. What are the rest of you doing?

I have floor jacks at home, but for the road I have a smaller hydraulic jack. I also use jack stands or pieces of RR ties to support it. Just look for a solid spot underneath. You can get a ok jack and stands for under $40 now.

I've used a floor jack and jack stands for a couple cars now. Well worth the investment. I put the GTO in the air and swap from summer to winter tires. I can get the whole thing done plus clean up in under an hour.

Are you talking about the smaller piston jacks, or the larger scissor floor jack? Any problem with hydraulic leaks on cheap cylinder pistons?

I just get my tires at Discount Tire and they rotate them for free.

I just get my tires at Discount Tire and they rotate them for free.

That doesn't work for me out here in the boonies. Closest tire store is Goodyear about 20 miles away. :bomb:

I just get my tires at Discount Tire and they rotate them for free.
Roger that!

Are you talking about the smaller piston jacks, or the larger scissor floor jack? Any problem with hydraulic leaks on cheap cylinder pistons?

I use a Craftsman floor jack. I've had it for almost 10 years, no problems.

Similar to this
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/d/6/AAAAAgXjAFYAAAAAAA1sgQ.jpg

I carry even a smaller one. It's a one ton, and only 14" long. It fits inside of a reversed tire and wheel.

Anyone tried to get a G8 up on ramps yet? It looks like that will be a requirement for DIY oil changes. Can any folks from Down Under comment on DIY oil changes?

I have a "standard" set of ramps that are just 1/2" shy of letting me drive my GTO and GP up on them for oil changes. That's why I asked about jacks, etc. I have a couple of pieces of 1x6 boards that I put in front of the ramp, drive the car that extra 1/2" up on the board before it touches the ramp. It's a PITA, but it works. The front overhang of the G8 is shorter than the GTO by just a hair, but the G8 is a touch lower in OEM configuration.

Believe it or not, I have actually been reading the owners manual!!!!!!!!! What a revelation that has been. I am in fact one of the oldest geezers owning a G8GT, and I have been under the impression that radials could not change sides, keeping them rolling in the same for their entire lives - Front to Back and Back to Front forever. The diagram in the OM says you rotate Front to Back on the same side, but Back to Front on opposite sides. That makes it harder to put a floor jack under one side and raise the entire side for a swap. Looks like it's jack stands for the DIY guys.

Believe it or not, I have actually been reading the owners manual!!!!!!!!! What a revelation that has been. I am in fact one of the oldest geezers owning a G8GT, and I have been under the impression that radials could not change sides, keeping them rolling in the same for their entire lives - Front to Back and Back to Front forever. The diagram in the OM says you rotate Front to Back on the same side, but Back to Front on opposite sides. That makes it harder to put a floor jack under one side and raise the entire side for a swap. Looks like it's jack stands for the DIY guys.

I think the tire makers have different theories on this. My 04 GTP came with Michelins and it recommended front to back same side and swap sides from back to front.

I used a floor jack to lift the entire side and (1) jack stand under the front wheel until I got the other side's back wheel off.

I have a "standard" set of ramps that are just 1/2" shy of letting me drive my GTO and GP up on them for oil changes. That's why I asked about jacks, etc. I have a couple of pieces of 1x6 boards that I put in front of the ramp, drive the car that extra 1/2" up on the board before it touches the ramp. It's a PITA, but it works. The front overhang of the G8 is shorter than the GTO by just a hair, but the G8 is a touch lower in OEM configuration.

I have a set of 2X10s with two angled cuts on them. I put them before the ramps... first drive on the 2X10s, then on ramps. Works fine. I've used them since my Grand Prix.

Believe it or not, I have actually been reading the owners manual!!!!!!!!! What a revelation that has been. I am in fact one of the oldest geezers owning a G8GT, and I have been under the impression that radials could not change sides, keeping them rolling in the same for their entire lives - Front to Back and Back to Front forever. The diagram in the OM says you rotate Front to Back on the same side, but Back to Front on opposite sides. That makes it harder to put a floor jack under one side and raise the entire side for a swap. Looks like it's jack stands for the DIY guys.

Most tire makers say that radials don't suffer from the change in direction like bias-ply tires did. My problem has been not rotating due to different sized tires & wheels on front & rear. :D

I bought a set of the Blitz "Rhino" 8,000 lb rated ramps tonight. They clear the front air dam less than the thickness of my index finger, but they clear. I guess this gets me around the oil change, but for tire rotation it sounds like I need some new jack stands (I don't think I will be able to get my 6 ton rated stands under there:rolleyes:).

Why do you need ramps to change the oil? a good jack wont work?

Why do you need ramps to change the oil? a good jack wont work?

I don't ever get under a car supported by only a jack (that is how one fellow I knew in H.S. died). Ramps are quicker than getting the jack and a jack stand out, plus they give you room on both sides of the car w/o having to jack up both sides.

Yes, that is true. Jack stands are usually a good thing to use as backup.

What type of ramps are all you using (brand/model)?

Why do you need ramps to change the oil? a good jack wont work?

DO NOT EVER CRAWL UNDER ANYTHING SUPPORTED BY NOTHING MORE THAN A FLOOR JACK! It is a great way to end up dead. Ramps or adequate jackstands only.

um ah ok, now that we have that out of the way...

I just get my tires at Discount Tire and they rotate them for free.
Same here.

As for the DIY oil changes. For as long as I own the G8, oil changes are free (well almost - have to pay 6.95 for the filter) at where I purchased my G8. They offer name brand dyno oil for that price, but I bring Mobile 1 with me. They don't care, just pay for the filter.

Sure beats crawling under a car to do an oil change and then have to get rid of those 9 qts of oil.

first of all,why would anyone ever bother to change their own oil these days?
it is faster and cheaper to have someone else do it and when i get mine done,they top off windshield washer fluid and vac out the interior free.

as far as a jack,my head is worth more than a cheap 1 ton jack.get something good like a 3 ton hydro at NAPA.And ramps...the hard plastic ones that are incline slowly for sports cars are awesome...thats all my friend uses(mechanic-works for himself)you wont be sorry-no rust,wont bend,lightweight!!!

Some enjoy the occasional journey under their car rather than letting the ex-burger flipper/french fry chef work on it.

Some enjoy the occasional journey under their car rather than letting the ex-burger flipper/french fry chef work on it.

Plus there are far too many horror stories about oil changes. I was just talking with a guy the other day that they drained all the tranny fluid and topped off the motor with an additional 4 quarts.

No thanks, I'll do it myself.

Plus there are far too many horror stories about oil changes. I was just talking with a guy the other day that they drained all the tranny fluid and topped off the motor with an additional 4 quarts.

No thanks, I'll do it myself.

Agreed. If there is gonna be blame for some idiot working on my car, I'd feel slightly more comfortable if it's me.

Plus there are far too many horror stories about oil changes. I was just talking with a guy the other day that they drained all the tranny fluid and topped off the motor with an additional 4 quarts.

No thanks, I'll do it myself.

Same here. It is good to get under there and take a look every now and then anyway.

BTW, I liked the comment about the french fry chef.

I changed the oil this weekend (1000 miles) using the ramps and it was a piece of cake. Although, for the size of the engine and the amount of oil you put in, the filter size is very underwhelming.

Biggest problem is that the kids that usually change oil are mechanic wannabes getting minimum wage for standing under the rack. Some care, some just need the bucks to pay the insurance on their ricer. I don't know how much some of you pay for oil changes, but how can you get it done cheaper than doing it yourself if you don't pay labor? Maybe because they use cheap oil and filters?

Same here. It is good to get under there and take a look every now and then anyway.

BTW, I liked the comment about the french fry chef.

I changed the oil this weekend (1000 miles) using the ramps and it was a piece of cake. Although, for the size of the engine and the amount of oil you put in, the filter size is very underwhelming.

While off topic, Where is the drain plug on the oil pan? Do you get full drain while on ramp?

Costco has a fair/good 2 ton jack for less than 100 bucks...

While off topic, Where is the drain plug on the oil pan? Do you get full drain while on ramp?

Costco has a fair/good 2 ton jack for less than 100 bucks...

It is about midway in between the front and rear of the oil pan on the driver's side. No, you do not get a full drain, but it is pretty darn close. I put in over 8.5 qts (it calls for 8.8 qts).

It is about midway in between the front and rear of the oil pan on the driver's side. No, you do not get a full drain, but it is pretty darn close. I put in over 8.5 qts (it calls for 8.8 qts).

Do you have to remove a skid plate as well? :p

No, no skid plate in the way of the oil drain.

Old thread, I know.

No, no skid plate in the way of the oil drain.

Old thread, I know. I'd hope in over two years time, he would have answered his question by now...:wink2:.