Thank you for sharing your method. I have been using those car ramps that are driven up on...just did not want to place my body directly underneath the oil filter because of drips...I am going to obtain a solvent parts washer before the next oil change and clean up the cannister real well and dry it. This will allow me to get right underneath it when replacing it.

I will have to check next time, but I do not think that my cannister has a drain plug. I have been loosening the retaining bolt and letting the oil drip and ooze out in all directions, a drain plug would be great on the cannister.

Interesting about the level of oil in the car, I do not have rear seal leakage but I do have a drip a day front seal leak. Is the the front seal dependent too on the level of oil put in? I have read and followed the advice of just adding halfway between the two marks and it uses very little oil between changes.