When working on cars my favorite method for raising them up is ramps. It is quick and easy to do. It certainly makes it quicker and easier to service the transmission, and other tasks. In order to use ramps, the vehicle has to be running and also in drive.
Make sure you do this on level and solid ground. If the ground is not level, the car could fall off the ramps. If the ground is soft, then the ramps would sink into the ground, and then the car could fall. It is recommended to perform this on concrete, or asphalt. However some of us do not have that option.
Ounce you have found your location, and the vehicle is in place. You want to make the front wheels straight. This should apply if you are putting the front or rear on the ramps.
With the wheels straight you then place the ramps in front of them. Put the end of the ramp against the wheel. You want each ramp to be aligned straight and centered with the wheel. The idea is to have the vehicle drive directly down the middle on each ramp.
With the wheels and ramps aligned, you can now drive up the ramps. This task needs to be done with care. When I first attempted this I drove off the ramps and dropped the car. I dropped it about six times until I learned what my mistake was (not breaking at all). You want to avoid dropping it at all. Go for a perfect record because you could tear your car up, and on the first drop.
You want to take your time, and drive up slowly on the ramps. If you do not make it up all the way, it is best to back down the ramps and try again. When you drive up the ramps and start on the top, you need to press the breaks. Avoid doing a hard break. You want to break fast and soft on top of the ramps. A hard break can cause the ramps to tip. Not breaking fast enough, or going to fast will cause you to over shoot the ramps.
Ounce you have stopped on the ramps, put the vehicle in neutral. You want the car to settle down on the ramps in the neutral position. Ounce it has settled and is stable, put the car in park. And then finally put on the emergency park. You can then turn off the engine. Watch your step when getting out, the vehicle should now be on ramps.
It is not ready to be worked on yet. You still need to brace the other tires. I like to put concrete blocks behind the tires. This is to prevent the car from rolling off the ramps.
I always like to give my car a shake, and a push to make sure everything is stable. A lot of people have been killed by falling cars. I am sure you can imagine it would be a painful experience. You cannot yell for help either, because the car is on you.
When working under a vehicle, it’s a good idea to have someone else around. That way your partner can call an emergency service like 911 , if something goes wrong. It could help to have your cell or phone with you when working. That way you can phone for help if possible.
Getting the car off the ramps is easier then putting it on. You first remove the blocks or whatever you used to brace the tires. Get into the vehicle and start it up. Release the emergency break. Put the car in reverse, or drive if you rear tires are on the ramps. And then ease the vehicle off the ramps. While going down the ramps you want to use your breaks. You want the vehicle to go easy off the ramps, not fast. You car should now be off the ramps.
For a review of some car ramps, please see my article on the Rhino ramps. In the article I campare them to metal ramps. “Automotive Review Rhino Ramps Compared to Metal Ramps.”
