[Hawaii_guy]

Originally Posted by Late

which one did you get? the F105 or the F105 with the nipple? did you have to order any other parts with it (adapters)?

Sorry, I must have missed this question. I got the F105 w/ nipple.

I didn't order any other parts, just the valve.


Hawaii_guy

Edit: If you do get one, take care on installing it. See this thread.

[HighSpeedLowDrag]

Originally Posted by Greg

OK, I have a noob question about the Rhino ramps. I got them a couple weeks ago and used them with my wife's minivan. When I backed the van off them, about halfway down the ramps broke loose and shot forward. The van dropped like a rock with bottom of front fascia kissing the top of Rhino ramps. Luckily the van's nose didn't get bent or damaged.

As you might have guessed this was on a smooth concrete floor and I was probably backing down too fast (my first attempt with the Rhinos). Regardless, I've been reluctant to put the STi on the ramps for fear that if the same thing happened, there could be more serious damage due to the lower amout of clearance.

I've heard one recommendation to use a sacrificial bathroom mat to give the Rhinos more grip on the smooth concrete. But it seems there are others that are having no problems with the Rhinos on a smooth floor.

Comments, advice, and flames welcomed.

You definitely came down too fast. They aren't heavy or have sharp edges like steel ramps do, so it is easy for them to slide. To put the STi up, I pretty much wedge them as hard as I can under the tire and drive up pretty quickly. Then to get the car down, I take it down slow. That is in my garage, with a smooth painted concrete floor. The "sacrificial bathmat" doesn't seem like a bad idea, I may go ahead and cut one in half, and adopt that as a safety precaution.

Also, to the original poster, don't forget some cheap wheel chocks from sears while you are at it. I worked on my car all weekend up on ramps, and forgot to use the wheel chocks.

[RdRacer301]

Ever since I got the RX7 5 yrs ago, I have been doing my own oil changes. I just couldn't trust anyone else changing my oil. It just didn't fly with me. I'll go 500 miles past for a chance to it rather than take to someone else. Same thing went for the STi.

On another note, I have been using Mobil 1 Syn. 5w-30 ever since 5000miles; I'm at 21k now. No problems at all. I sometimes have to add 1/2 qt b/w oil changes, but not too often.

[Greg]

Originally Posted by HighSpeedLowDrag

You definitely came down too fast.

Ya that was it. I changed the oil on the STI with Rhinos yesterday and had no problems. My first attempt going up I was a little tenative and both ramps popped out. Second try I was a more aggressive and I went right up. I came down slow and it went fine.

[CruisinSTI]

how hard is it to change ur own oil for a beginner and where could i learn?

[ORSTi]

I 2nd the Fumoto valve. That valve cuts the change time in half. On 2 of the cars, I can drain right into my oil recycling can, and skip the drip pan all together.

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

The other thing I do is use a couple of trash or plastic grocery bags to change the filter. That thing will dump on you otherwise. Hold the bags up and over the filter while you loosen it, this way the oil will dump into the bag, and not all over you. I can now change my oil without using a rag or spilling a drop.

[Late]

Originally Posted by Greg

Ya that was it. I changed the oil on the STI with Rhinos yesterday and had no problems. My first attempt going up I was a little tenative and both ramps popped out. Second try I was a more aggressive and I went right up. I came down slow and it went fine.

I wouldn't use Rhinos. Don't know if you have the same kind of Rhinos as this guy but if you do you might want to return them cause his shattered while his car was on them.

I just got the Fumoto valve and am anxious to install it. It looks pretty decent. Couple friends of mine are going to buy it for their cars as well (after they make sure it works on mine 1st ).

[lokutus1]

Originally Posted by evilrazor

Dude you must be super skinny....I cant even fit my head under there

^^^ i'm about avg. size (5'11" 180ish). i have a big head too, so my head doesn't fit under the car either. i just lie on my back and reach my arm under to loosen the bolts and stuff on the undershield. i memorized where they are and just go by feel. pretty easy.

[ORSTi]

Originally Posted by Late

I just got the Fumoto valve and am anxious to install it. It looks pretty decent. Couple friends of mine are going to buy it for their cars as well (after they make sure it works on mine 1st ).

I was a skeptic about the valve too. I now have one on every car. After 3000miles, not even a hint of a leak, and it pays for itself in your time and paper towels the first time you use it. I wish I had gotten the nipple model, that way I could attach a small piece of PVC hose and drain right into my recycle can.

[Big Cam]

Originally Posted by Hawaii_guy

^^^^^^ Its Fumoto

I got one myself... I love it.


Hawaii_guy

That is slick

[HighSpeedLowDrag]

Originally Posted by Late

I wouldn't use Rhinos. Don't know if you have the same kind of Rhinos as this guy but if you do you might want to return them cause his shattered while his car was on them.

I just got the Fumoto valve and am anxious to install it. It looks pretty decent. Couple friends of mine are going to buy it for their cars as well (after they make sure it works on mine 1st ).

Holy crap that's scary. I've had mine for years now though, even put my cow of an F-body up on them for oil changes, without a problem. Very alarming though. Thanks for posting that, I may have to research a different make of ramps.

[Greg]

For the Fumoto fan's and those considering one, here is some shots of the first time using mine. I went with the nippled model and coupled with short piece of tubing I can dump directly into drain pan.

I was a tad concerned that with the nipple model, there'd clearance issue if I ever bottomed the car. As you can see from the bottom shot the nipple is not any lower than the rear bolts holding the engine shield in place. The cross member behind the bolts is slightly lower than the nipple. So it would it have to take a big hit to touch the valve.

[04__STi]

hmmm...i don't jack my sti up...i just slide under

[Atomic]

Just did my first yesterday. picked up cheap ramps (look like ones above) at KMart for 30ish bucks. They have a solid rubber insert at the bottom of the ramp to keep them planted (your bathroom mat). I am ordering up one of those valves now and using the bag over filter trick next time - took a bath. Those bottom mount filters let allot of oil go. Your typical loop type oil filter wrench (think walmart) is to big - I found a plumbing strap wrench works fine. could not get factory installed filter off by hand. No need to take splash guard off like owners manual says.

Anybody who can do that change w/o stands belongs in Cirque Du Soleil.

Anybody recommend a place to order filters online?

[FleaDog]

ON the topic of jacks, How much 'tonnage' do you need for the STI? 2,3,4 ??? There are lots of jacks on sale now (fathers day stuff) and i was thinking about picking one up. thanks