Parking car on concrete building blocks

pgj2015

My dad does this to change the oil in the car, he then crawls under the car to change the oil and oil filter. I always tell him its a bad idea and the blocks could break while he is under there. am I right or wrong? to me it seem risky but maybe he is right. 🤔

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355101/parking-car-on-concrete-building-blocks

Imo unless your concerned they'd liquidify under the pressure of the cars weight it's absolutely fine. I use left over paving blocks myself which have never given any bother

endacl

You should take advice from people who do the same thing with a massive pinch of salt OP…

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355101/parking-car-on-concrete-building-blocks

Father’s Day is coming up, Get him a set of axle stands .50 quid for 4 will cover it.

PsychoPete

Often used blocks under wheels and never once had a concern once the blocks are wide enough for the tyres to sit on them. There's always a risk when you've a car lifted off the ground be it concrete blocks,axle stands or even a lift. It's a personal choice if you want to risk it

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122234239#Comment_122234239

Who would you take advice from?

sniperman

been using blocks for 40 years,no issues yet

Atlantic Dawn

Cavity blocks no, normal blocks yes.

Hermy

I bought metal ramps but they wouldn't fit under the car so I made timber ramps instead which, along with a garage creeper bought in Aldi/Lidl, make light work of oil changes.

BlakeS94

I think you should only use the proper equipment to lift and support a car, it's not worth the risk, you buy axle stands that are rated to support a weight which is a static number, a concrete block, especially with a cavity, is more likely to fail, because nobody knows how much weight it can support.

For the sake of a few quid it's not worth it.

You can get 4 tonne (2 tonne per stand) jack stands from halfords for 60 quid. They have a magic lift feature, a gimmick but useful.

Stands themselves are very good I've used them numourous times

Alternatively I have plastic service ramps that have proved very reliable, think they're rated to 5 tonne believe it or not, around the same price

The Continental Op

My late father used to work in health and safety and heavy lifting. Always used to do his head in to see anyone with a vehicle on concrete blocks. He'd always say they could crumble and that wood was a far better material.

pgj2015

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122234951#Comment_122234951

Yeah I worked with block layers for years and I know how them blocks can break in there is any weakness in them, especially as these blocks are lying around for years outside in all weather.

horse7

It's only 15__20€ for an oil suction pump Aldi/Lidl.

MakersMark

Wooden blocks should be used, not concrete

Whocare

MY advice for anyone working under car using axle stands are not good enough you need to be using axle stands and old wheels as back up to axle stands aswell plus wheels chocks .

Sam Russell

Concrete increases strength with age over 100 years. New blocks are very soft, and should not be expected to bear much weight.

Axle stands, or purpose built ramps, are your only man. Unless you have a garage type lift.

maidhc

never use a cavity block for anything, not even building!

id always use wood myself. Far safer.