Lumax Fluid Extractors is a No Go!... Buyers Beware!

This is a Consumer Awareness post...

I've used fluid extractors many years ago and it was actually easier and less messy when changing fluids/lubrication in my vehicles. I enjoyed maintaining my own vehicles and do it at a moments notice. Now onto my review!

I purchased the LX-1313 2.1 gal pneumatic/manual Fluid Extractor that failed me when I tried to extract motor oil in my 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The 30” dipstick siphon tube was way too short to reach the oil. The comparable OEMTOOLS fluid extractors has an updated 41” dipstick tube. The EWK Fluid Extractor has 47” long dipstick tubes. In fact all other Fluid Extractor manufacturers now has the updated longer dipstick tube recognizing the original standard lengths will not reach the bottom of the oil pan. At the time that I posted this, none of the Lumax Fluid Extractors have a Dipstick Tube longer than 36" which still falls short of the competition.

The following weekend I performed an oil change on my son’s 2010 Toyota Camry LE 2.5L again using the Lumax and the results of extracting the engine oil with the 30” dipstick tube was very disappointing. It pulled only 4 quarts of the Camry’s 5 quart engine oil capacity. So for small cars, it is also a failure.

I’m pretty sure it will positively work extracting oil from my lawn mower!

I first made a call to Lumax customer service, spoke to a fellow named Joe. He suggested that I should send an email describing the problem. He indicated that the issue would be "taken care of". So I emailed info@lumax.con for support on 6/7/2021 took more than a week later I finally received an email response from Lumax’s Vice President Kreshan Amin and stated that the LX-1313 only has the 30” dipstick tube and indeed I should have researched before making my purchase decision. Consumers be aware!!!

However I do acknowledge that this is a high quality tool but Customer Service is non-existent and the Lumax leadership will not support their products deficiency. I’m stuck with the Fluid Extractor that is totally useless to me.

Lumax will probably update their dipstick tubes based on my feedback. Just wished they were a respectable manufacturing representative and provide me an updated tube so I can fully use this product!

I left comments on Social Media regarding the inadequacy of the LX-1313 Fluid Extractor that I purchased. My comments were either removed or they hid them. Very ethical as well!

In retrospect I should have done my research better before I purchased the Lumax. Just wasted my money!

https://youtu.be/N-M1x2V4MWE

 

Just remove the drain plug, your method is like taking a shower with your clothes on.

 

I have used a similar product since 1998, somehow I doubt it is an experience similar to showering with clothes on. I would, however, enjoy the tale of how you know what it is like to shower with your clothes on.

 

Showering with clothes on was a tongue in cheek response. Removing the drain plug gets all the oil out and any debris in the pan. Granted power steering and some diffs don’t have drain plugs “GMC” as an example.

 

Serious question. Why NOT just remove the drain plug? Seriously wondering if I’m missing some benefit of doing it your way.

 

The benefit is not getting under the vehicle and virtually eliminating the possibility of spilled oil while neatly containing all used oil. I agree it makes more sense to just drain it and clear all possible particulate matter but I can see the advantages of a fluid extractor all the same.

 

Who suggested you change oil this way?

 

Ok, aside from the method being atypical, it seems like you didn't research the product well and are upset that the manufacturer didn't compensate you in some way for buying the wrong thing? I'm not trying to be overly critical, but I'm not following your complaint.

I haven't been to their website to see how descriptive the products are, but the title implies that you were ripped off, or that the company went out of business. What were your expectations for resolution of your issue? A free exchange of a product that you already used to remove oil from a vehicle? That seems like a big ask to me. Just curious if there is more to the story.

 

All I’m gathering from this post :

I didn’t research the product and it’s not what I needed so the company sucks because they didn’t give me a free one to replace.

Also drain plugs are too easy, I need something I can complain about.

 

I have used mine, as I said above, since 1998. I doubt that there is a benefit for the Tacoma oil change. I just like messing with it. But I also use it on a tractor. The design of that engine allows no way to drain the oil without spilling it all over this little slice of isolated heaven I inhabit; all the while covering a large portion of the engine/frame making a monstrous mess. Now that is a benefit that I can appreciate.

 

Super old thread, but I’m about to buy the Lumax LX-1313 or LX-1314. They haven’t updated the hose length it’s still the standard hose of 30”. That said you could have replaced the hose with basically any nylon hose that fits the OD of the fitting. Also Mityvac oil extractor hoses fit the Lumax units.

I don’t plan on using it for my Tacoma, but jacking up my wife’s CTS-V Wagon is a PIA, it’s like a Corvette, if you know you know.
These things are just handy to have for powering steering fluid, brake fluid, diff oil, trans oil, coolant, etc… to remove the fluid.
Majority of people buy these have German cars, because the bottom of those vehicles are locked up like Fort Knox and getting to the drain plug is a hassle.