I'm looking at jacking up my Octavia 09vrs for an oil change. I have jack stands but I was wondering if I would have any trouble using either the bottle jack or stands. Ie, are there easily identifiable locations to use (apart from the arrows), as I don't want to think it's in the right place only to crunch right through the underside...

Cheers

I was told be two dealers that as long as it's on the metal lip of the sill where the arrows are, it'll be fine.

I wouldn't jack on the sill with a bottle jack or trolley, jack personally.

There was a post about hacking points might be worth searching.

If you use a trolley or bottle jack directly on the sill lip then you'll bend it.

Take a look at the jack in the boot, the contact point is in the shape of a 'U' with the sill lip running through the middle.

A few of us have bought ice hockey pucks off eBay and cut a slot in it so that the load is placed either side of the sill lip.

Works well.

Edited 20 August, 201213 yr by silver1011

Or just use a block of wood behind the sill lip. Simple, cheap and effective.

Yup, that's how I used my trolley jack.

I presume you know where you are going to place the axle stands whilst the jack is on the jacking point?

Axle stands, what are they?? haha, just kidding though honestly this the first time I'll be under a car so guidance on where to place the jack stands would be of help.

Lol you should be using axle stands, I know some dont but its a matter of life and death! There are a few ways but I jack on the chassis leg and place the stand on the jacking point my draper stand fits nicely on there. The chassis leg is covered by the plastic undershield so your either gonna have to feel for it by banging or take the shield off. If you feel for it you can jack on the plastic if you have a rubber pad on your trolley jack, but if you dont some flat wood will do. (Incase you didnt know the chassis leg is a re-enforced square block that runs down from the engine bay and under the length of the car). And if you do decide to take the plastic cover off you could place the stand on the chassis leg instead if you wanted but a decent high lift jack is usually needed for that. So other options...if you do have a decent high lift jack you can jack on the other (same side) jacking point until the other wheel (same side) lifts then place the stand on that jacking point...and another option would be to slide the jack under the front and behind the back of the engine jack on the front sub frame mine has a square pattern on it, then place the stands on either the jacking points or chassis leg but as I said I go with option number one. Oh and dont forget the chocks, safety goggles, gloves, barrier cream, hard hat, and some boots and overalls lol.

Edited 21 August, 201213 yr by 07 vRS Taxi

okay great, some options then. I'm just going to get underneath and try and pinpoint what you have mentioned. I'm not sure how I can remove the plastic without getting underneath, wouldn't it be screwed on?

Check, check and check. Changing the oil for the first time is quite daunting when you have consider all parts and tools needed but it can only get easier right.

Cheers all

On the oil filter housing be prepared for a little mess its worth having some clean rag/towel handy.

There is a post on it should you desire to read up before you go ahead.

The area mentioned above can be seen without jacking the car up

Yeah thats right you can reach the plastic nuts just lying at the side of the car.

Yeah thats the easiest way to do an oil change, however not all maintainance/repair work can be carried out with the wheels on, if youre carefull and confident enough you will manage not to cause any damage. I doubt some garages give a sh*it about damaging the car...I could share some horror stories lol.

Edited 23 August, 201213 yr by 07 vRS Taxi