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[Gareth52]

Morning all,
As I said in my first post on the newbie board, my first job is gonna be an oil change, 'Marmite' best describes the situation at the moment.
So I'd appreciate words from the wise on the following:

Ramps or axel stands? I need to invest in the means to work under the vehicle. Which is most practical/safe?

Oil - going by the vehicle manual I believe I should go for a semi-synth 10W-40 ACEA A3-96 (duh?  ). Am I right? Anyone know of a cost effective alternative? Anyone know of a cheap source for such a product around the North Notts area?

Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Gareth

 

[Mr Skrunts]

Best place to start is the maintainance guides, most jobs are listed there in detail, many have pictices to support the job.

As for oil, yes semi synth.

You will quickly find there is allways a mention of the trade club (TC Card) through out the forum.  Believe it or not this brings severe savings after joining.  An example.

V6 water pump  Car spares shop £30 or more. (non genuine)
 Dealer retalis at £40 + Vat (Genuine)
Trade (cant remember at mo) say £30 + Vat
Club Price.  £22ish + Vat

Current deal on on semi synth

4 x 5 litres
Inc Vat   £32.53

Oil Filters £1.22 Plus vat

Both at TC Card prices.

So basically most of us dont look at any other oil and do regullar oil changes with the discounts offered by Vx

TC Card can be obtained for £12
But for £20 you get added benfits from Autobahnstormers (ABS) or VauxhaullOwnersDriversClub  (VODC)

Pay/join today you might have your card by Tuesday, both clubs have favourable feedback regards sorting out the TC Cards.

Hope it helps.

Any problems, have a quick look in the forum guidlines, if the answer isnt there then just look for the relevent section and post a question.

If all is well, come and join us in the general chat area.

[JueV6]

How do we get a TC skruntie :question

[rickyboy]

Both ramps and axle stands are safe, using solely a jack is dangerous - leave the car in gear and with the handbrake on.  

Cheapest oil you'll get is from Vauxhall with a trade card.  You can get the trade card number from EDIT [www.autobahnstormers.org] for around £20.  Right enough Skruntie, sorry.

[JueV6]

thanks Ricky

[rickyboy]

No worries!  

[Mr Skrunts]

How do we get a TC skruntie :question

http://www.vodc.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73

http://www.autobahnstormers.org/
then click on club info and download the info pack .pdf file

[TheBoy]

Ramps are not really much good for oil changes, as to drain fully you need to get car level again.

A decent jack, not the £20 hydraulic ones from Halfords, is pretty essential, but always use axle stands with a jack.


Vx Semi is hard to beat, even more so with a TC card.  If you are doing your own servicing, get a TC card immediately.

[Gareth52]

Thanks to all who replied, I've taken everything on board.
Skruntie, I registered for VODC and sent off my Paypal payment. The prices you quoted are incredible compared to Halfords (sorry for swearing) and I can see straight away the TC is a must-have. Thanks a lot.

Rickie and TheBoy, I reckon stands are for me, I might drive off the end of ramps :-? I saw this set and thought it looked OK:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgk10-10-piece-garage-kit/path/axle-stands-car-ramps-2

Thanks once again for the guidance.

[rickyboy]

Prices look very reasonable.  Just make sure you use the stands when under the car, never the jack alone!

[Albatross]

Ramps are often difficult to drive forwards onto as they are often taller than the bottom of the front bumper.

I use ramps at the rear, when I can, and always use stands for the front end of the car.

[Andy B]

Ramps are often difficult to drive forwards onto as they are often taller than the bottom of the front bumper.

I use ramps at the rear, when I can, and always use stands for the front end of the car.

The trick when you want to drive forwards onto ramps is to use a small plank or similar placed on the bottom 'rung' of the ramp which will lift the front of the car sooner, so allowing the bottom of the front valance to clear the ramp sooner. I made a pair of 'extensions' from 1" angle so I could drive my Senator up ramps.

[Mr Skrunts]

Thanks to all who replied, I've taken everything on board.
Skruntie, I registered for VODC and sent off my Paypal payment. The prices you quoted are incredible compared to Halfords (sorry for swearing) and I can see straight away the TC is a must-have. Thanks a lot.

Rickie and TheBoy, I reckon stands are for me, I might drive off the end of ramps :-? I saw this set and thought it looked OK:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgk10-10-piece-garage-kit/path/axle-stands-car-ramps-2

Thanks once again for the guidance.

It's what's the forum's all about matey. I for one would still be in dark and paying out fortunes.

The help and combined knowledge base on here is fantastic.  

[TheBoy]

Thanks to all who replied, I've taken everything on board.
Skruntie, I registered for VODC and sent off my Paypal payment. The prices you quoted are incredible compared to Halfords (sorry for swearing) and I can see straight away the TC is a must-have. Thanks a lot.

Rickie and TheBoy, I reckon stands are for me, I might drive off the end of ramps :-? I saw this set and thought it looked OK:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgk10-10-piece-garage-kit/path/axle-stands-car-ramps-2

Thanks once again for the guidance.

If I may comment on the machine mart package...

Its one of their cheap jacks.  Height isn't great, and it isn't a particularly good jack.

The machine mart axle stands - I have a pair - I find do not fit the chassis rails that well. I tend to use ones with a flat top \__/ rather than the stepped machinemart type.

I don't think that bundle is that great to be honest.