I’ve got a Honda Civic and was thinking of using a scissor jack to lift the car, then putting some wood blocks (screwed together) under the wheels, and lowering the car onto the blocks to do an oil change. The floor is flat in my garage.
I’ve heard it’s not safe to go under a car with a scissor jack, and my wife would definitely not be happy if something went wrong.
Also, would the car being uneven affect how well the oil drains?
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Why not just get some car ramps? They’re not expensive, they work great, and you can even buy extensions if your car sits low.
You’re right that scissor jacks aren’t safe by themselves. Here’s what you should do:
Use the scissor jack to lift the car, but transfer the weight to proper jack stands. Don’t rely on wood blocks since most people don’t know enough about wood types or fasteners to make them reliable. You can get a pair of jack stands rated for your car for about $30 on sale.
Keep the scissor jack in place as a backup, but make sure the weight is mostly on the stands. Shake the car gently to check if it’s stable before getting under. Use chocks for the wheels on the ground (both sides).
For automatics, put it in park. For manuals, use reverse or first gear, depending on which way the car could roll.
Also, keep your car keys (especially if they have remote start) far away so you don’t accidentally start the engine. Take off any rings too—better safe than sorry.
You really need some jack stands for this. Even if you’re trying to save money, how much are you really saving compared to just having someone with the right tools change the oil?
Here’s how this could go wrong:
You lift the car with the scissor jack and put your “wood blocks” under the car. Then you remove the jack. While you’re under the car trying to loosen the oil plug, the car shifts. The wood blocks give out, and the car falls. You get crushed.
Or, you do the same setup. This time, the wood breaks instantly. Same result—car falls, you get seriously hurt or worse.
Instead, just use the scissor jack to lift the car, then place proper jack stands under it at the recommended points. Loosen the jack slightly so the car’s weight is on the stands but leave the jack as a backup. It’s much safer this way. Wood isn’t reliable, and it’s not worth the risk.
@Merritt
Honestly, I’d trust solid wood more than some of those cheap, flimsy jack stands.