I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Gt.
In want to change the oil myself.
I have a jack and jack stands, I can also get some ramps if needed. Can I raise the car from the front with the Jack?? Is the oil filter
hard to reach??? Whats the best way and steps?

Welcome to the site! Great info, great folks. Enjoy the stay.

1) keep engine cool.
2) open dipstick and oil filler
3) raise vehicle
4) with drain pan in place, remove oil plug
5) after oil is done draining, remove oil filter, allow to drain
6) clean oil plug, apply thin coating of clean oil to rubber gasket of oil plug, reinstall to tool snug
7) apply thin coating of clean oil to gasket of oil filter, reinstall to hand tight USE NO TOOLS!
8) lower vehicle
9) fill oil to 4 qts
10) reinstall dipstick and oil filler
11) run engine for 5 minutes
12) let engine cool for 5 minutes, check oil level
13) add final half quart
14) run engine for 5 minutes
15) let engine cool for 5 minutes
16) check oil level
17)

Ramps would probably be the best. I don't have a jack/stands and my ramps are too high for the car so I just drive the car up on 3-4 inches some wide pieces of wood I have and that gives me enough room to work under the car to drain the oil into my pan. I also turn the wheel all the way to the right and that gives me just enough room to access the filter and get it off.

oops, I forgot: the jack you're talkin about: is it the scissor jack that came with the vehicle or is it a hydraulic jack?

scissor jack: use the jack points just behind the forward tires on the lip (someone provide pics please)

hydraulic jack: use suspension or engine cradle components to raise vehicle. DO NOT USE ENGINE OR TRANNY TO RAISE VEHICLE!!!

The oil filter is tucked in above the passenger control arm (what was called the A-Arm once upon a time). A beast to find, easy to reach.

Good luck, hope I answered your questions well enough.

hydraulic jack. So I would put the jack directly
under the car in the front??

Go buy plastic ramps at any parts store, they are great for FWD vehicles. I prefer to do mine on my slanted driveway with the nose of the car down. This way the car is more level.

The best way to use a hydraulic jack is to drive up on 2x8s. Then jack up each side using the A-arm mounting point. I only do it this way when I am rotating tires or brake work. When lifting the rear, I use a 12-14" piece of oak 2x8 and jack carefully on the lateral arms. I love these ramps.

When applying a thin coat of oil on the filter's gasket, you should take the old filter and new filter and put both open ends together so the gasket of the old filter touches the gasket of the new filter.
This will cause you to confirm that the old gasket actually came off with the old filter. If there is no gasket on the old filter, do not install the new filter until you retrieve the old gasket from the filter mount. Installing an oil filter while the old gasket is still on the mount will result in you losing all of your oil when you start the engine.
Never double gasket an oil filter.

Was never told about that. Thanks for the lesson, Bobby. That will become part of my o/c ritual.

So whats better hydraulic jack or ramps?

Ramps are quicker & safer, but you will always need a jack if you are going to work on cars. I personally use my ramps when I change oil.

I agree. I own this ramp too. It is plastic but very strong. They have soft thing under it so it won't slide if I drive it up. They are super easy for my oil change. I have done that over 50 times.

I used have steel ramp. They are very heavy. Boy, it was hard to get that car up. They slide out easy.

You can buy it at auto zone or walmart either. It is call Rhino. I brought mine in Aute Zone. Now, I just noticed walmart have them in stock too. Either store whichever is cheapest.

Here's a write up: How To Do An Oil Change

x2

And as for finding the oil filter, it's not hard. Just turn the wheels to the right, and it's right behind the passenger wheel. You don't even need to jack the car up to get to it.

Use a filter from a 4.3L. Late model blazers used them. They are longer and provide more filter area.

Those plastic ramps are so nice. No slipping at all and they are super strong. I would recommend picking up a pair.

The caveat with a larger filter is make sure your motor mounts have been replaced recently. There have been cases of motor mounts failing, and due to the longer oil filter, when the engine drops a few inches, the filter catches on the frame and then you rapidly lose your oil.

Thanks for the tips.
I think the local pontiac dealer wants 40 bucks
for an oil change. So I guess I can save a few
dollars by doing it myself.

Few dollars? nah you will save TON

My oil change cost me less than 10 buck for DIY depend on store sale sometimes.