"Don" wrote in message
...
I know that it is best to use the drain plug, but there are times I
hate crawling on the floor or sometimes it rains or in the winter it
is very cold.

I saw at sears an air operated oil extractor that has a ridgid
dipstick tube. It can also remove transmission fluid without taking
off the pan.

Would the life of a vehicle be shortened by using this method? By the
way the item I looked at was made by Mity-Vac and held 8.8 liters. You
use it with your air compressor.

My opinion? I wouldn't do it. When properly done, an engine should have
the oil drained while hot, removing the drain plug, which should be the
lowest point in the pan. That way large particles of "dirt" are flushed
from the pan, making for a cleaner engine. On the other hand, if you're
unable to crawl under the vehicle to do it that way, it's far better than
not changing the oil. Most importantly, make sure you change the filter
each time so it doesn't pack off and start bypassing.

Harold