New 140 Owner Needing Advice

[mstirlz05]

Hi everybody.

Would firstly like to say what a great car the gen 7 celica is. I bought a 52 plate 140 last week and have enjoyed it hugely. Sure more fun than the mazda3 I owned before!

One of the things that it needed when I bought it was a simple oil change so I attempted it earlier today but ran in to a problem when trying to jack the front end up. I have seen the diagram of jacking points for the car but my trolley jack will not reach the front point. ( every time I try to pump the jack it catches the bumper), I do have axle stands and want to Jack the front center high enough to position the stands without leaving one side at a time so my question is Will it be ok to place the Jack on the hook looking thing that tow ropes are attached to?

I know this is a stupid question but I'm a slow learner of cars and dread putting a hole in the floor of the car. Appreciate any advice you can give me.

[Scarlett Arrow]

Hi, Mark..and welcome to T.O.C.

No, you will simply bend the hook. The way I get around this problem, is to drive onto two blocks of wood (old railway sleepers).

One of these may come in useful too..http://www.sgs-engineering.com/hydraulic-jacks/trolley-jacks/tjl2-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-jack

Out of interest, are you using 0W30, or 5W30?

PS It's important to keep a very close eye on the dipstick with these cars, especially if yours is a pre face lift model (52 plate can be either).

[mstirlz05]

Thanks for the reply. I did think it was a bit dangerous to jack it on there. Looks like I'll have to search the allotment for some wood! I'm using 5w30 oil as this is what Toyota recommended when I called them. Mine is a facelift, registered December 2002 so must have been one of the first. I'll definitely look into buying a new jack or a set of ramps from Halfords

[JoeyJoe]

Mines been lowered and I run into the same issue jacking it up last night. Just put a plank of wood infront of the wheel and drive onto it. jack will fit then.

Also, check eBay for ramps. I've seen people selling them cheap for collection just to get rid of them.

edit: (sorry, didn't read scarletts post above)

[crumblierbaz]

Thanks for the reply. I did think it was a bit dangerous to Jack it on there. Looks like I'll have to search the allotment for some wood! I'm using 5w30 oil as this is what Toyota recommended when I called them. Mine is a facelift, registered December 2002 so must have been one of the first. I'll definitely look into buying a new jack or a set of ramps from halfords

Toyota recommended 10w40 oil to me

Sent from my iPhone using Toyota OC

[Scarlett Arrow]

..and assuming you still have your 20 year old car, they would be correct :)