car ramp

I agree with most of the points here and especially the use of axle stands and electric Jack, but the jack for wheel changing purposes only!

On the subject of ramps, they are a good solution if they're being used on good flat ground, and the car concerned has sufficient clearance so that the bumper is high enough to clear the stand when the car is driven up it. A low bumper will drag on the ramp and can risk damaging it.

I bought these ramps a while back and highly recommend them for large cars and vans

What car is it?

Sorry to hear about your back.

I tried the metal ramps a few years ago and they didn't work for me.
As soon as I started driving up them they shot forward and almost took out the long glass panel beside my front door.

I was gifted a set of heavy duty plastic ramps (7 Ton) at Christmas.
Reviews were V good. But have since found a neighbour that will do all of my oil changes.
Never used the plastic ramps myself, so have them for sale on Adverts.

If I were to use metal ramps again (which I won't) I'd set them down on some kind of rubber matting.
Sorry to hear about your back. I have similar issues.

I have a set of the ramps with the jacks in them.

Used to find they would shoot out especially on concrete.

Wrapping the likes of a coal bag around the first angle iron helped a lot but herself got a bmw.

Unpowered front wheels wont climb them.

Drilled holes on the concrete 6 inches deep. Dropped long bolts into the holes and these bolts act as a stop for the ramps.

Never shot out since

Where is the oil filter on the Astra? If it's accessible from above, get an oil suction pump as said above.

Lidl have one for €15 at the moment.

Buying ramps won't make it any less awkward getting under the car with your bad back…... Pay an independent mechanic to do the job and save yourself the hassle.

They are rated for 2 tonnes and are CE marked. So perfectly safe.