Does the angle of the car matter when you change oil?

The angle only really matters when you check the dipstick so make sure it's level on the final check. Personally, I haven't found it to be that much of a diff.

 

Should it be level and raised up like on a mechanics hoist?

Optimally, a flat surface should be the best position for an oil change in order get rid of the old one.

 

I also found no difference, and I raise Pearl S's nose up about 14" (so there's lots of room to swing the oil change door forward and get my elbows around under there). I do refill when level, so the dipstick reads correctly. That is, put 3 litres in when up, put car in "ready" and back down off the ramps, then "top up" the oil. Be -very- careful because the engine will start when you put the car in "ready", so before you do -make sure- the new filter is installed and there is at least 3 litres or quarts of oil in the engine! It also allows you to check for leaks before closing the oil change door and backing off the ramps.

 

Oil drain plugs are designed to work on a level surface, but SO LONG AS you do not change the vehicle pitch enough to keep the drain plug from being at the lowest point of the oil system, it will still drain fine. Hence why in most cases you can jack up only the front or use ramps and still have no issue changing the oil.

 

It may drain even better with the front elevated.

 

This is a good question.

Seems for Prius' level is the best.

Yet, noting the location of the drain plug a little slant to help the oil flow in the drain out direction may be good.

In the OP case, IMO, I would probably lower the front end to the ground while draining and then raise to re-install the drain plugs and all.

Some cars service manual actually state to have a slight tilt while draining and as I recall a 2000 Corvette being one of said cars.

Again great question...good luck.

 

The drain bolt is at the back edge of the oil pan. Tilting the car front-to-rear can only (slightly) improve the drain. The oil filter mounts laterally, so I would see no difference there.

I've done maybe 10 DIY oil changes now? The main thing to getting as much oil as possible out, is to just leave it draining for a while, don't be in a rush to reinstall the drain bolt and/or oil filter.

Oil Pan Drain Bolt torque: 27 (ft/lb)
Oil Filter Cap: 18

 

That's pretty drastic, unless you did it yourself and observed more than a trickle drain out of the engine after lowering the car.

In any of these fluid replacements, some old fluid will remain. But it's probably only 5% and it won't have any consequence.