How Level For an Oil Change

Now that my 2 year dealer oil changes are up on my truck, I want to make sure that I do a good oil change. My driveway is not completely level. The elevation at the front tire in the photo is about 4 inches. I have the 4-Cyl engine (2TR-FE)

Is this enough of an incline to worry about? My wife's minivan has the drain plug in the back of the pan, so facing inwards, it would drain fine.

But the plug on my trick is right in the middle of the pan.

I guess I could stair-step some 2x12s, and then maybe a 1x12 to get it up to 4". Or just take my floor jack and raise it the front after it has started draining (and I am not underneath).

Or I could just not worry about it.

 

I'd go with the jack option. An aerobics stepper of lumber is too much effort IMHO.

 

If you are talking about the oil draining out of the pan you should be fine.
You could even turn the truck the other direction if need. But the oil should drain fine even the way it is in the picture.

If you're talking about checking the oil level. It needs to be pretty level. One way to do this is to put about 1/2 quart less than the book calls for and then drive the truck to the nearest level surface and fill to the proper level on the stick.

If you plan to fill a little at a time until the oil is full, REMEMBER you need to START the engine and let the filter fill then recheck the oil level.


I think you're over thinking things a bit. You will be fine.

 

You've never carried my Napa jack