Installing an oil pan heater on 2024 Off Road Tacoma

Hello! I live in interior Alaska and trying to save money by winterizing my new 2024 Tacoma myself. I have the heater pad to put on the oil pan but just discovered there is a black plastic protective body around the oil pan. Anyone know if it's okay to still put on a silicone hot pad with that black plastic protective body on it? Thanks for any advice.

 

The heat pad needs to be in direct contact with the metal oil pan.

 

Thanks crazysccrmd. I might not have been clear with my original post. I understand that the pad needs to be in direct contact with the metal oil pan. I'm checking to make sure that once the pad is installed on the metal pan and then covered up with that plastic shield that it won't be in danger of melting the plastic shield. Thank you

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I’d leave the plastic off. If you can’t for some reason I’d either not install a pan heater or try to find the style that replaces your drain plug with a heater insert.

 

Crazysccrmd- that's what I ended up doing. With further thought I realized this plastic covering is most likely on there because it's the off road trim. More protection for off roading. I don't plan to off road. My older 2010 tacoma was much simpler! Have a good night. I appreciate your advice.