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What size jack stands?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jack520, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. jack520

    jack520 Member

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    I have 3 ton jack stands, but when I changed the oil, I had to jack the car up way too high.

    So, I bought 2 ton jack stands.

    Now, what does 2 ton mean? Is that 1 ton per stand? Or is it 2 ton per stand?
     
    #1 jack520, Jul 10, 2013
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    2 tons per stand.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Jul 10, 2013
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I like ramps much better, drive up. No jacking and stands required.

    SCH-I535
     
    #3 xliderider, Jul 10, 2013
  4. VicVinegar

    VicVinegar Member

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    No issues with the Prius being "low" compared to some other cars in regard to using the ramps?

    I have Rhino Ramps I bought to try and DIY my maintenance on my old Civic until I saw someone had stripped out my pan drain, so I ended up still taking it to a shop in case it was the last time the pan could take a plug. Ramps were still useful for checking out noises and such. I was going to buy stands to do ATF. We'll see how brave I get with my new Prius.
     
    #4 VicVinegar, Jul 11, 2013
  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    A one ton stand would be fine. That means one ton per corner of the car. The Prius does not weigh 4 tons or 8,000 pounds.

    Consequently, a stand rated one ton will have a 50-100% design safety factor.
     
    #5 Mike500, Jul 11, 2013
    jack520 likes this.
  6. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Yes drive the front onto ramps and use a single jack for the rear;)
     
    #6 ursle, Jul 11, 2013
  7. Noibs

    Noibs Junior Member

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    Bought a new 2012 Prius last December. Purchased Rhino ramps from Amazon this spring and just did my first oil change, using a TRD oil filter. I found the ramps to be about perfect. They stayed in place when I drove up onto them and the height was excellent for an oil change. In particular, the oil change "hatch" could be held open by the ground without bending it way back (where it will eventually crack). I drove various SUVs for about 25 years prior to my Prius and I can't believe I didn't purchase ramps way back when.
     
    #7 Noibs, Aug 13, 2013
  8. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I hold the door open with a piece of scrap 10 gauge copper wire.
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 Mike500, Aug 13, 2013
  9. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Agree, two ramps and one jack, car has to be level to drain the old oil;)

    Have a gen 2 and 3, the 2 is a breeze to change the 3's ...different, the cartridge wrench lives on the cartridge, (better dissipation of heat:) ) the door isn't to bad, changing in cold weather is sorta a no-no
     
    #9 ursle, Aug 13, 2013
  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The car does not need to be level to drain the old oil.

    SCH-I535
     
    #10 xliderider, Aug 13, 2013
  11. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    If the nice person end(of the prii) is on the ground, the oil isn't going to cooperate correctly;)

    Or is magic involved, ahh, sucking the old oil out, well, good luck
     
    #11 ursle, Aug 13, 2013
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oil pan drain plug is towards rear, no need for car to be level.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Aug 13, 2013
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, the oil actually drains out more completely with the front raised and the rear down.

    SCH-I535
     
    #13 xliderider, Aug 13, 2013
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