Debate: Using an oil extractor vs dropping the drain plug on a Subaru

I have a 2015 Outback and I tried using a hand pump oil extractor for the last change. Pulled out about 4.5 quarts through the dipstick tube in 10 minutes flat, no mess at all. But my buddy swears I'm leaving old sludge behind and says you have to drop the plug to get the real junk out. Anyone have a side by side comparison or an oil analysis that settles this?

2 comments

2 Comments

james_campbell1225d ago

...but actually your buddy might be half right about the sludge thing, though it's probably not as big of a deal as he thinks. I've seen a few oil analyses from Subaru guys who did both methods back to back and the difference was basically nothing (like, maybe a couple tablespoons of extra old oil at most). Unless your engine already has major buildup, the extractor is totally fine for most changes.

mila40525d ago

Feel your buddy's concern, but those oil analysis tests really do show it's barely a difference. I switched to an extractor on my Forester last year and haven't looked back, the convenience is just too good. Unless your engine has major sludge problems already, I'd say keep using the extractor and save yourself the mess.