Tired of wobbly jacks and the sheer panic of trying to sneak under your car for a simple oil change? Many of us have felt that jolt of uncertainty when working beneath a vehicle. It’s a necessary task for any car owner, but safety and ease are often sacrificed when you choose the wrong equipment.
Finding the perfect car ramps for this job can feel like a maze. You worry about weight capacity, ramp angle, and whether they will actually grip the ground. Cheap ramps can lead to dangerous slips or even collapse, turning a quick maintenance job into a major headache. We understand these concerns—your safety truly matters.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a set of car ramps reliable, safe, and perfect for your garage. By the end, you will know precisely what features to look for and which ramps fit your budget and needs.
Ready to ditch the guesswork and get the right foundation for your next DIY oil change? Let’s dive into the essential features of top-rated car ramps.
Top Car Ramps For Oil Change Recommendations
- Has a maximum weight capacity of 3,250 Lbs per ramp or 6,500 lbs. pair allowing you to safely perform vehicle repairs or maintenance on the underside of your vehicle
- Has a maximum lift height of 6.25 inches, providing easy access to the underside of your vehicle
- Features rubber stops on the base to prevent the ramp from moving or slipping
- Constructed with heavy duty plastic to provide a sturdy and reliable product
- The ridged surface adds further traction when driving on the ramps
- Stable and safe vehicle maintenance: The Rhino Ramps' rugged and structural design provides unparalleled stability and safety while working under your vehicle, making them an ideal tool for oil changes, transmission fluid replacements, and other automotive maintenance tasks in your home garage
- Quick access and storage: With the Rhino Ramps' reliable and easy storage design, you can quickly access the underside of your vehicle when you need it, making them a convenient tool for regular automotive maintenance Plus, the nestable design ensures maximum storage space, saving you valuable garage or storage area
- Stress-free oil changes: Say goodbye to slippage during oil changes with the Rhino Ramps' CoreTRAC non-skid base, which ensures a firm grip on your garage or driveway surface, making oil changes easier and more stress-free than ever
- Versatile for low clearance vehicles: The Rhino Ramps' 17-degree incline provides versatility for your car, truck, or SUV at home, so you can use these ramps with confidence, knowing that they can handle your vehicle safely and securely Perfect for low clearance vehicles, the Rhino Ramps make fluid maintenance tasks more accessible and easier to perform
- Industry-leading capacity: The Rhino Ramps can handle vehicles up to 12,000 pounds GVW, making them perfect for all your vehicle maintenance needs - With the bundle including a pair of 11909 RhinoRamps and 11930MI Wheel Chocks, you'll have extra-wide support to ensure your vehicle is stable and secure during maintenance, making it easy for you to perform necessary fluid maintenance tasks
- Heavy Duty 8000LBS Car Ramps - Constructed from premium steel with reinforced edges, these car ramps support 8000lbs per pair (2000lbs per ramp). Ideal for trucks, SUVs, light trucks, and automotive maintenance with superior load-bearing capability.
- Safety Reflectors for Day & Night Use - Features high-visibility reflective stickers that ensure clear visibility in daylight and illuminate under night conditions. This safety feature provides enhanced protection during vehicle maintenance and repair work.
- Professional Grade Automotive Ramps - Designed for both home garage and professional shop use. The car service ramps provide 8-inch lift height for ample under-vehicle clearance during oil changes, inspections, and repairs.
- Easy Storage & Portability - Each ramp measures 35"L x 13"W, offering compact design for convenient storage. The rust-resistant coating extends service life, making these heavy duty ramps a long-term investment.
- Simple Setup & Versatile Application - No assembly required - place and use immediately. These automotive ramps work with most vehicles including pickup trucks, SUVs, and agricultural equipment.
- PORTABLE AND RUGGED: These automotive ramps are designed to be both portable and durable, making them perfect for use in a variety of settings. The rugged, structural design provides reliable and convenient access to the underside of your vehicle while also offering stability for maximum storage space.
- NON-SKID BASE: The CoreTRAC non-skid base helps reduce slippage during use, providing an added level of safety and stability. This feature ensures that the ramps will stay in place during use, providing a safe and secure platform for working on your vehicle.
- EASY TO USE: With a 17-degree incline, these ramps are designed to provide easy use for low clearance vehicles. This incline makes it easier to drive your vehicle onto the ramps, providing a smooth and seamless transition.
- HEAVY-DUTY CAPACITY: The portable automotive ramps have a high gross vehicle weight capacity of up to 12,000 pounds, providing reliable and safe support for a wide range of vehicles. The ramps are designed to be used with tires up to 9 inches in width, making them a perfect fit for most cars on the road today.
- CONVENIENT FOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: These ramps make it easier to change the oil and perform other routine maintenance tasks on your vehicle. With the added clearance provided by the ramps, you'll have easier access to the underside of your car, making maintenance a breeze.
- 【Capacity: 13,000 lbs/Pair】Providing extra stability and safety for low-clearance vehicles like sports cars and modified cars.
- 【2.6" Lift Height】Perfect for minor repairs, inspections, and oil changes. Also helps vehicles cross curbs without damage. Ideal for garage, home, and professional use.
- 【Reasonable Design】9.3" width fits more tire sizes; 17° slope ensures easy ramping; 17" Length short enough to provide unrestricted access for jacks and tools, making maintenance easier.
- 【Safety First】Premium PP material with a hollow design for better tire grip. 6 anti-slip pads ensure the ramp stays firmly in place during use.
- 【Self-Alignment Front Stop】The front stop allows drivers to sense the parking position without assistance, while the curved design prevents roll-back.
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Crafted from rugged polypropylene material, our stackable car ramps are built to withstand the toughest tasks, ensuring reliable performance for years to come.
- Patented Design: Our unique stackable car ramps feature a patented design, offering a sturdy construction with an impressive weight capacity of 6500lbs, making them suitable for a wide range of vehicles.
- Ample Clearance: With dimensions of 35.63" in length, 12" in width, and 8.5" in height, along with a lift height of 6.7", these ramps provide generous clearance for hassle-free maintenance tasks underneath your vehicle.
- Versatile Storage: The stackable design enables easy storage and transportation, providing a practical solution for automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike.
- Enhanced Convenience: Built-in side handles ensure maximum portability, allowing you to transport the ramps with ease wherever you need them. Plus, the ribbed platform surface offers increased traction for added safety.
- Heavy-Duty 20,000 lbs (9 Ton) Load Capacity for Versatile Use: As a premium heavy duty tandem wheel ramp, this 2-piece set supports up to 20,000 lbs of weight—ideal for RVs, trailers, trucks, and passenger cars. Whether you’re tackling flat tire replacement, routine tire maintenance, or under-vehicle inspections, its robust load capacity ensures stable, reliable support for all your vehicle service needs
- 5.5-Inch Tire Lift Height: No Jack Needed for Easy Access: This RV tire ramp delivers a 5.5-inch lift height to create convenient tire access—no bulky jack required! Simply drive onto the ramp to raise your vehicle, making tire changes faster and more straightforward. It’s perfect for curb steps, garages, or roadside spots for quick, hassle-free maintenance
- Lightweight Portable Design for On-the-Go Convenience: Our portable car service ramp weighs only 6.8 lbs per piece, with an integrated handle for easy carrying. Store it in your RV’s compartment, truck toolbox, or garage shelf—its compact build makes transportation and storage a breeze, even for solo users
- Anti-Slip Textured Surface & Serrated Bottom for Maximum Safety: Equipped with an anti-slip wheel ramp surface (textured dot pattern) and a serrated bottom, this ramp locks securely to pavement/concrete—preventing vehicle slippage while you work. The stable design keeps your vehicle firmly positioned for worry-free maintenance
- Durable Reinforced Construction for Long-Lasting Performance: Engineered with a reinforced internal structure, this durable tandem wheel ramp resists deformation and cracking (even with frequent heavy use). Unlike flimsy alternatives, it stands up to RV/trailer/truck demands, delivering reliable performance for years
- HEAVY-DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION: Unlike the usual plastic or rubber ramps, Rockland auto ramps are made from heavy- duty solid steel to withstand more weight and wear, offering greater durability and reliability you need.
- POWERFUL LOADING CAPACITY: Each ramp can support up to 2000 lbs (4000 lbs per pair), and with a total of 8000 lbs for the set, you can easily lift most vehicles like cars, suvs, pickup trucks for oil changes and auto repairs.
- IDEAL DIMENSIONS: The ramps can support up to 12.5" (315mm) tire width, fitting most of the vehicles. Plus, with a maximum lift height of 9", you can have an easy access to the underside.
- GRAB & GO DESIGN: Weighing just 33 pounds, the car ramps are lightweight and easy to move. The grooves on both sides make it super easy to grab and use, whether you’re taking them to the car trunk or putting them back in storage.
- SPACE SAVING: The compact design enables the ramp kit take up minimal space, whether it is in your truck bed, car trunk, or neatly tucked away in the garage. You can store them sideways or lengthwise.
Choosing the Right Car Ramps for Your Oil Change
Changing your own oil saves money. Using car ramps makes this job much easier and safer. These ramps lift your car so you can easily reach the drain plug and oil filter. Buying the right ramps means you work safely every time. This guide helps you pick the best set for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
Several important features make car ramps useful and safe. Always check these before you buy.
- Weight Capacity: This is the most important feature. Make sure the ramps can safely hold your car’s weight. Check your car’s manual for the total weight. The ramps must handle more than that weight for safety.
- Ramp Angle/Height: How high do you need the car? Taller ramps give you more space, but they might be too steep for low-profile cars. Look for a ramp angle that lets your bumper clear the ramp edge.
- Tire Width Compatibility: The ramps must fit your tires snugly. If the ramps are too narrow, your tires might slip off. Check the maximum recommended tire width.
- Non-Slip Surface: Good ramps have ridges or a rough surface. This stops your tires from spinning when you drive up.
Important Materials in Car Ramps
Ramps come mainly in two materials: plastic/composite and metal.
Plastic or Composite Ramps
These are usually made from heavy-duty plastic. They are lightweight and easy to move and store. They resist rust well. However, they might not hold as much weight as metal ramps. They are great for smaller, lighter cars.
Metal Ramps (Steel or Aluminum)
Metal ramps offer superior strength. Steel is very strong but heavy. Aluminum is lighter than steel but still very strong. Metal ramps usually have a much higher weight capacity, which is good for trucks or larger SUVs.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your ramps directly affects your safety and how long they last.
What Makes Quality Better?
- Strong Construction: High-quality ramps use thick, reinforced material. They often have built-in supports underneath.
- Stable Base: Ramps should sit flat on the ground without wobbling. Look for wide bases that spread the car’s weight evenly.
- Integrated Wheel Chocks: Some ramps include blocks that stop the rear wheels from rolling. This adds a layer of security.
What Reduces Quality (Safety Risks)?
- Thin Walls: Cheap plastic ramps often have thin walls that can crack under pressure.
- Poor Welding (Metal Ramps): If metal ramps have weak welds, they can fail suddenly.
- Slippery Edges: Ramps without good grip or defined edges are dangerous.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the ramps. This affects your choice.
Home Garage Use
If you change oil once or twice a year, lightweight composite ramps might be perfect. They store easily in a corner or against a wall. They provide enough height for standard maintenance.
Frequent or Heavy-Duty Use
If you work on cars often, or if you own a heavy truck, invest in strong metal ramps. They handle repeated use better. They offer the necessary clearance for larger vehicles.
Always drive slowly onto the ramps. Stop when the front tires rest securely on the flat top section. Once you are up, set your parking brake firmly. Double-check that the ramps are stable before you slide underneath the car.
Car Ramps for Oil Change FAQ
Q: What is the main safety rule when using car ramps?
A: Always set your parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires. Never rely only on the ramps; they are lifting aids, not parking spots.
Q: Can I use plastic ramps for a heavy truck?
A: You must check the weight rating. Most standard plastic ramps cannot safely handle full-size pickup trucks or large SUVs. Use metal ramps for heavier vehicles.
Q: How do I know if the ramp height is enough?
A: You need enough clearance to comfortably fit your oil drain pan and your wrench underneath the engine. Measure the space between the ground and the lowest part of your oil pan.
Q: Are ramps better than jack stands?
A: Ramps are faster for simple jobs like oil changes because you just drive onto them. Jack stands offer higher, more flexible lifting points but require more setup time.
Q: What if my car has very low ground clearance?
A: Low cars need ramps with a very shallow approach angle. If the angle is too steep, your front bumper will scrape the ground before the tires reach the ramp.
Q: Do I need to clean my tires before using ramps?
A: Yes. Mud, ice, or excessive oil on your tires will make them slip. Ensure tires and the ramp surface are dry and clean.
Q: How should I store my ramps?
A: Store them in a dry place. If you have plastic ramps, avoid stacking very heavy items on top of them while stored, as this can cause warping over time.
Q: Can I use just one ramp to slightly tilt my car?
A: Absolutely not. Car ramps must always be used in pairs, one for each front tire, to keep the vehicle level and stable.
Q: What is the lifespan of good quality ramps?
A: Metal ramps, if cared for and not overloaded, can last many years. Plastic ramps might last 5 to 10 years, depending on usage and sun exposure.
Q: Where should the car tires rest on the ramp?
A: The front tires should rest fully on the flat top section of the ramp. They should not be halfway up the incline when you stop working.