Changing your oil at home saves money, builds mechanical confidence, and gives you full control over the quality of oil and filter you use. But for anyone driving a low-profile car — whether a sports coupe, race-prepped drift build, or simply a lowered daily driver — getting under the car safely can be tricky. That’s where low-profile car ramps come in.
In this guide, we’ll break down why using ramps for oil changes is safer than jacks alone, how to choose the right ramp angle, and what makes the SLRspeed Low-Profile Car Ramp design stand out as the best solution for lowered vehicles.
>> Check out the SLR Car Ramps for Oil Change here <<
Why Car Ramps Are Ideal for Oil Changes
When it comes to routine car maintenance, safety and stability are everything. Car ramps provide a wider surface area and greater stability than jack stands, making them perfect for tasks like oil changes, exhaust work, and underbody inspection.
Key Benefits:
- Safety: Ramps distribute vehicle weight evenly, reducing risk of collapse.
- Speed: Simply drive up and get started — no fiddling with jack points or hydraulic leaks.
- Convenience: Perfect for home garages, track prep, or quick oil changes.
- Stability: No wobbling or shifting like cheap jack setups can cause.
Unlike traditional ramps, low-profile ramps are engineered with a gentle incline and extended length to prevent scraping even the lowest front lips or diffusers.
Understanding Ramp Angles and Clearance
The most important measurement when selecting a ramp for your oil change is the incline angle. For most low-profile or modified cars, anything above 9–10 degrees can cause scraping.
| Ramp Type | Incline Angle | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Ramps | 11°–15° | Trucks, SUVs, high-clearance sedans |
| Low Profile Ramps | 7°–9° | Sports cars, lowered vehicles |
| Extra Low Track Ramps | 5°–7° | Extreme stance, track cars, drift builds |
The SLRspeed Low-Profile Ramp design uses a carefully optimized 7° incline, which allows even heavily lowered drift and race cars to climb smoothly without front lip contact.
Material Matters: Plastic vs Rubber vs Composite
Not all ramps are created equal. The material determines grip, strength, and long-term durability.
- Plastic Ramps: Lightweight and affordable, but prone to cracking under high temperatures or heavy use.
- Rubber Ramps: Excellent grip and noise absorption but often heavier and more expensive.
- Composite Ramps: The best of both worlds — lightweight, strong, and resistant to oil and chemicals.
SLRspeed ramps use a dense composite polymer blend rated for over 6,000 lbs per pair, with non-slip pads and integrated stops to ensure safety during every oil change session.
Ramp Length, Width, and Load Distribution
When choosing ramps for your oil change, dimensions matter. Longer ramps spread load evenly and reduce incline steepness. The ideal ramp length for low-profile cars is between 60–72 inches, offering both clearance and stability.
Ramp width should also exceed your tire width by at least 2 inches for safety. Performance vehicles with wider tires (285–305 mm) often require ramps with 12-inch tread width.
Load rating should always exceed your car’s gross weight — never assume a ramp will hold. High-quality ramps list their rating per pair (e.g., 6,000 lbs combined), ensuring safety for most sports cars, sedans, and coupes.
Preparing for an Oil Change Using Car Ramps
Here’s a step-by-step process to safely set up your car ramps for an oil change:
- Position the ramps on a level, clean surface. Avoid slippery garage floors or uneven ground.
- Center your tires with the ramp’s track before driving up.
- Drive slowly until you feel the car reach the top stop blocks.
- Engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
- Double-check stability before sliding underneath.
Once secure, you’ll have plenty of clearance for your oil drain plug, filter, and catch pan — all without the need for jacks or jack stands.
How Ramp Design Affects Safety and Comfort
The ramp’s surface texture plays a key role in preventing tire slip. Many cheap ramps use smooth plastic that becomes dangerously slick when exposed to oil or moisture. In contrast, SLRspeed’s ramps feature a textured composite tread that grips tires even when wet.
The extended base design also prevents tipping or flexing under load, making these ramps a long-term tool investment for home garages and race prep stations alike.
Car Ramps vs Jack Stands: The Safety Comparison
While jack stands remain useful for full underbody access, car ramps win for speed and reliability when doing oil changes. Let’s compare:
| Feature | Car Ramps | Jack Stands |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Quick — just drive up | Slower — must jack each corner |
| Safety | Stable and wide | Dependent on proper jack point use |
| Ideal For | Oil changes, inspections | Suspension or wheel removal |
| Weight Capacity | Up to 6,000+ lbs | Varies — typically 2,000–3,000 lbs per stand |
For routine oil changes, ramps are simply faster, cleaner, and less risky — especially for low cars with tricky jack points or side skirts.
When Low-Profile Ramps Become Essential
If your car sits lower than 5 inches from the ground, standard ramps likely won’t cut it. Low-profile ramps are engineered specifically to provide safe access without contact. They’re commonly used on:
- Modified drift or stance cars
- Sports cars with aftermarket splitters
- Supercars with active aero or low undertrays
- Race-prepped vehicles on coilovers
For these vehicles, every degree of ramp angle matters — which is why precision-made ramps like SLRspeed’s are laser-cut and stress-tested for real-world clearance performance.
Maintenance Tips for Ramps
To extend the lifespan of your ramps and keep them performing safely:
- Inspect for cracks or warping before each use.
- Keep ramps clean of oil residue or dirt buildup.
- Store indoors to prevent UV or chemical degradation.
- Replace ramps if they show structural damage or flexing under load.
SLRspeed’s Low-Profile Ramp Design Philosophy
SLRspeed engineered their ramps with real-world motorsports in mind. Unlike generic ramps designed for minivans or sedans, these are precision-cut for performance cars that live close to the pavement. The design priorities include:
- Optimized 7° incline for splitter and lip clearance
- High-friction surface texture for tire grip
- Lightweight but strong composite construction
- Built-in wheel stop and chock channel
- Made in the USA and tested on drift, circuit, and show builds
They’re the perfect blend of function, form, and safety — helping enthusiasts perform maintenance without compromising the car’s aero or underbody.
Final Thoughts: Safer, Smarter, Lower
Changing oil should never feel like a risk. With the right ramps, you can safely service even the lowest sports cars without jacks or sketchy wood stacks. Investing in purpose-built ramps pays for itself after just a few oil changes — and keeps your car safe in the process.
➡ Explore SLRspeed Low-Profile Car Ramps and see how real engineering turns car maintenance into a safer, smoother experience.
