Review on OEMTOOLS 24397 2.5 Gallon Manual Fluid Extractor Pump For Oil And Transmissions, With Oversized Handle For Easier Use And Extraction by Herve Latreche

You're probably about 90% committed to converting to doing oil changes by the dipstick method, but not sure which one of these extractors to buy and really wondering if this is a reliable method to do it. I looked at the various other extractors sold by HF as well as the MityVac model, and realized that they're all about the same and ultimately I chose this one mainly because of the large capacity (engine holds 9 liters) and the easy Walmart return policy. And go ahead and convert to the dipstick method, it's so much easier and faster, and the results are just the same as draining the pan. And FYI, Mercedes recommends the vacuum method vs draining the pan for their cars, which I confirmed with one of their mechanics. So I figured if Mercedes approves of this method, there must be something to it.As far as changing the oil via the dipstick, this is definitely the way to do it. All the advantages are real as well as the time savings of not having to lift/jack the car up. Also, this eliminates that remote chance of giving your wife PTSD when she finds you dead and crushed under your car after the jackstands fail.As far as this pump goes, it works great but as many other reviewers have noted, the included manual for this extractor is junk. There is zero helpful information in there. Honestly all the information you need is in these user reviews. Also, as many have mentioned, the device itself looks to be designed by a drunk engineer. Lots of times you'll look at it thinking "What in the world?" trying to figure out what one particular hole/fitting does, or the purpose of a seemingly random nut which doesn't seem to do a thing, or why there are various tubes and parts that don't seem to do anything. Somehow, magically, despite these oddities, the pump does a great job.This extractor removed and held 8.5 liters of oil without a problem in 10 minutes, with definitely room to hold another liter, so the 9.5 liters is probably correct. As others have noted, there are no marks on the container so there really is no way to tell if you got all the oil out or how much you've got out. I'd do what another reviewer had recommended and suck up however much quarts of water your engine is expected to hold, mark the cannister, and then proceed to drain the water out and suck up the oil. It's the only way to confirm that 1, your hose was long enough to get to the bottom of the oil pain and 2, that you got all the oil out. Keep in mind that your engine may be a quart low so don't get too alarmed if you're short. If you've done your own oil before, you should have an idea what your car uses up and what to expect. And no mention of this anywhere, but the only way to empty the container is to remove the intake hose and just dump it out of the large opening.I've now done 2 oil changes and a brake flush with this extractor, and it definitely has made things super easy. The inner diameter of the dipstick tube is small, so get your engine to operating temperature to make the oil easy to flow. The suction power is good, although really no way to get any idea of how much vacuum you're creating, and the plastic is thick and durable. I'm happy I have it and I'm happy with this new way to changing the oil. If only the manual was usable, this would be a 5 star product.