Raising Ford Focus & Cheap Oil

Wats_in_a_name · 15-03-2011 07:57PM #1

I am hoping to do some servicing of my car myself but was wonder what is the best way to raise the car, a ford Focus?

Would the ramps in halfords be the best or axle stands etc?

Also, wheres cheapest to get oil?

El Guapo! · 15-03-2011 08:18PM

Get decent axle stands and make sure you have them positioned correctly before getting under the car. Ideally you should chock the rear wheels too.
Your car should take 5w30 semi-synthetic oil. Some people just put 10w40 in and say it'll be fine but I disagree. I'd recommend you only use the proper oil. Any local motor factors should have a gallon of the proper stuff for around €30.

Wats_in_a_name · 15-03-2011 08:35PM

Thanks for the reply. This is possible a stupid question but how do I put the car on the axle stands?! I've only ever worked on cars in America where there was a pit so never seen or done it with stands before!

El Guapo! · 15-03-2011 08:49PM

Its really easy, all you have to do is jack the front of the car so that the 2 front wheels are raised off the ground. Then you can position the axle stands under 2 sturdy points e.g- the jacking points on the sills, or 2 points on the sub-frame etc. Just make sure its held up properly before getting under the car.
Oh and make sure you only do it on level ground to avoid the stands slipping.

Henry Ford III · 15-03-2011 08:49PM

Jack it up! Use a trolley jack btw.

15-03-2011 09:04PM

Don't get under a car that's only supported by a jack (of any type). Have axles stands under it too, belt and braces approach is essential when getting under a car. Accidents can and so happen.

I usually jack it up, get an axle stand under it, lower it onto the stand (ensures the stand won't move if the weight is on it) and then jack it slightly so the jack is matching the axle stand. If one fails the other is still there.

Plug · 15-03-2011 09:22PM

RoverJames wrote: »

Don't get under a car that's only supported by a jack (of any type). Have axles stands under it too, belt and braces approach is essential when getting under a car. Accidents can and so happen.

I usually jack it up, get an axle stand under it, lower it onto the stand (ensures the stand won't move if the weight is on it) and then jack it slightly so the jack is matching the axle stand. If one fails the other is still there.

Thats what I do with my fathers car. Sheer paranoia but hey better safe than sorry!
Op is yours a diesel or petrol and what year also?

El Guapo! · 15-03-2011 09:30PM

RoverJames wrote: »

I usually jack it up, get an axle stand under it, lower it onto the stand (ensures the stand won't move if the weight is on it) and then jack it slightly so the jack is matching the axle stand. If one fails the other is still there.

+1
I thought I was the only one who does this!

Wats_in_a_name · 15-03-2011 09:35PM

It's a petrol.

Right my plan is. Jack up front, shove in two axle stands, lower onto stands, higher jack slightly so its on all 3. Chock rear wheels and pray I dont die. Does that sound ok?

Hellrazer · 15-03-2011 09:40PM

And stick the 2 wheels you take off under the brake discs aswell.Just to be sure.

I always do religiously just in case.

If both axle stands fail and then the troley jack fails you`ll have the wheels to stop the car from falling.

And if all that happens ^^^^^^^^^ buy a lottery ticket ASAP.:D:D

Plug · 15-03-2011 09:40PM

Wats_in_a_name wrote: »

It's a petrol.

Right my plan is. Jack up front, shove in two axle stands, lower onto stands, higher jack slightly so its on all 3. Chock rear wheels and pray I dont die. Does that sound ok?

Yeap, now get yourself and a 13mm spanner or socket set and an oil filter removing tool of some sort. 3.8 litres for a 1.4L, 4.3 litres for a 1.6L

Wats_in_a_name · 20-03-2011 07:36PM

Right, got everything ready and am going to do it in the morning.

Just want to make sure I got this right. From Haynes Manual I should put the axle stands on the chassis support point but where do I put the jack to actually jack it up?

Nonoperational · 20-03-2011 08:20PM

There'll be a jack point under the sideskirts of the car. Usually an arrow or an indentation in the plastic to let you know where to put the jack. One in front and one behind on each side. It will be obvious.

Wats_in_a_name · 20-03-2011 08:23PM

If I put the jack on one of the sideskits would that not just raise half the car?

20-03-2011 09:37PM

Wats_in_a_name wrote: »

If I put the jack on one of the sideskits would that not just raise half the car?

Indeed, the plate the towing eye is mounted on is a good place if it's accessible. If you jack it up using the jacking point you then can't get the axle stand under that jacking point

20-03-2011 09:47PM

Just to add jacking half the car may well be sufficent for an oil change depending on the drain plug and oil filter location. Under no circumstances get under the car unless it is otherwise supported aside from the jack though.

Is it a trolley jack you have or the thing that came with the car?

Wats_in_a_name · 20-03-2011 09:57PM

Have a trolley jack. Gonna jack it up and suport with axel stands. Want to have a good look around just see whats there and see what condition the cars in below.

demag · 20-03-2011 10:20PM

A mate of mine has a set of ramps for sale on done deal, I can pm you the link if you want, they're fairly heavy duty compared to halfords ones.

Wats_in_a_name · 20-03-2011 10:34PM

PM please! Might be easier for me.

cruizer101 · 20-03-2011 10:50PM

Just another tip you might want to try, I did it yesterday when changing the oil on mine.

Drive it up on the kerb on one side. For me anyway that was enough that I could crawl under and change the oil, maybe not quite as easily as if had jacked, and I did end up with oil in my hair, but still saves the hassle of jacking, and you need have no worries of it falling down either.

Edit: just saw you said want to have a good look around under the car so this method might not be the best for that

Raising Ford Focus & Cheap Oil

Comments