Low Profile Ramps For Car Repairs

The car hobby is more than just buying, selling, and modifying cars.  At some point, your car will need service and maintenance.  This is not the glamorous part of vehicle ownership, but it is critical for longevity.  Having the right tools and knowledge is key to a successful repair.  It is also important for your personal safety.

Depending on your experience level, some repairs are best left to professionals.  Things like oil and filter changes are relatively easy and can be done at home.  This was covered in my Car Care Basics article in June 2024.

Safety First!

I used to perform oil changes and tire rotations at the same time, so it made sense to use my floor jack and jack stands to lift all four corners of the car off the ground.  That is time-consuming and challenging, so I now use Discount Tire for my FREE tire rotations.  

Oil changes at home are rewarding and less expensive than a dealership, but you must be safe in your approach.  A floor jack and jack stands are safe, but only if the jack stands are well placed.  For oil changes, drive-on ramps are more convenient and very safe.

Metal Ramps

Over the years, I have used metal ramps like the ones shown above.  They are relatively inexpensive (under $80) and sturdy.  Unfortunately, the steep angle of the ramp doesn’t clear the front fascia of modern cars and they tend to scoot across a concrete floor when driving the car up the ramp.  My old metal ramps had a homemade wood extension to clear the front end, but that was sketchy as hell.  It is also NOT recommended.

Race Ramps

After I bought my Camaro, I tried my metal ramps with the homemade wood extensions.  It did not clear the air dam under the front bumper.  One of the Camaro forums had a discussion on ramps and the same name kept surfacing:  Race Ramps.

RaceRamps.com has a nifty calculator to help determine which ramp will work with your car.  The 56” Two Piece Race Ramp is perfect for my Camaro.  It also fits my wife’s MINI Countryman and our Subaru Outback.  

Race Ramps Advantage

Race Ramps are made of a high density foam, making them strong and lightweight.  The two-piece design of my ramps allows them to be easily stored on my garage wall.

The two-piece design also makes it easy to access the chassis of my car from the side, because the long ramp extension can be removed quickly and set aside.

More importantly, the Race Ramps are easy to use.  I can grab them off the wall, place them in front of the tires and drive up with ease.  No more worries about the ramps skidding across the floor or driving off the ramps.  The no-skid design and long ramp ensure safe and easy operation.

Final Thoughts & Questions

Many maintenance services should be still left to professionals, however, DIY oil changes can save you a lot of time and money.  Products like Race Ramps can make it safe and easy for you.  I’m glad I bought mine, and added them to the list of tools in my Automotive Tool Essentials article.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.