The drain plug is on the front of the lower oil pan. Yes, the car must be level when draining oil, or even a little forward inclination. I prefer using a suction through the oil dipstick tube. It is so much easier as you work from the top and the car is simply parked in a flat shady area. I checked during my last oil change after suctioning from the top I raised the car on a lift and opened the drain plug to see how much oil I had missed in the suction process. Less than two tablespoons drained out of the plug. If you put 8.5 quarts into the car you will over fill. Put in 7 quarts and then check the dipstick; run the engine a minute,turn it off and let the oil drain back into the pain a couple minutes before topping it off by use of the dip stick.