Should an oil change cost $100?

Should an oil change cost $100?

It depends on how valuable your own time is to you.

Doing your oil change requires two trips to the auto parts store (one to get the stuff you’ll need and a second trip afterward to dispose of the used oil), time spent getting the car off of the ground high enough for you to get under it, and time spent doing the actual oil change.

I used to do my oil changes because they were not too complicated, and I could save a few bucks by doing them myself. But they were 90-minute ordeals when I did them.

So, about ten years ago, when I realized the value of my time, I started letting others do it for me… others who had entire buildings designed to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I can sit in their waiting room for 20–30 minutes, playing games on my phone, and end up with an oil change, all of my car’s fluids topped off, the tire pressures checked, air filters replaced if needed, and any burnt out lights replaced if needed. And it only cost me double what it would have cost to do those things myself.

Double the price for 1/3 of the time? That’s a deal for me these days.

If you can do your oil change for $50, but it will take you an hour longer than if you take it to a place that charges $100, just ask yourself: Is my time worth more than $50 an hour? If it is, then the $100 oil change is worth it. It shouldn’t cost that much.

This is why mechanics in wealthy suburbs get to charge more for the same services than mechanics in poorer places get to charge. It’s not just that the customers in the wealthy suburbs can afford more, but those customers value their time more.

My buddy has a 2017 VW jetta gli and he was charged $100 bucks for oil change. 6qrts of 5w30 full synth and filter. They did the usual check tires, air filter, tranny fluid, top off washer fluid and sent him on his way. $100? Seems high to me. I told him to just change it himself from now on but he “does not want mess anything up” shrug how much does everyone else spend if they go to a shop like pennzoil or jiffy lube, etc.? My Impreza is about 50 bucks for an oil change at pennzoil

Paraphrasing Bill Munney in “Unforgiven”… “Should’s got nothing to do with it”

Look. Here’s the deal – you look at five quarts of oil at Pep Boys for $25 and a filter for $5 and then think, “Holy shit, that’s a lot of money.”

The shop owner is looking at it like this:

You’ll eat 20–30 minutes on a lift, which could have been used for something more profitable.

You’ll also eat 20–30 minutes of tech time, which could have been used for something more profitable.

Doing the job will consume shop supplies – wipes, rags, and cleanup on aisle five if there’s a spill….

The shop is going to have to dispose of the used oil

The shop has to do an intake to get you in, write up the service, produce the invoice, and get you to pay it — that seems innocuous but takes time and workforce, which is money

So yeah, it’s more expensive than it would be for you to do it.

Here’s a fun thought exercise: change your oil and use a stopwatch and notepad.

Should an oil change cost $100?

Figure how much time it’s taking you to jack the car up, drain the oil, check the oil released, clean and re-install the drain plug with a new sealing ring, remove the oil container, bin it for recycling, lower the car, remove the oil filter, check the bung for a stuck gasket, lubricate and install a new oil filter, bin the old oil filter for hazardous waste recycling, open and pour in the required oil, start the car, check for leaks, clean up any residue, check the level and re-top to “full,” bin the empty oil containers for hazardous waste recycling, clean up the area, in the cleaning supplies for hazardous waste recycling.

And then ask how much that would have cost you if you were being paid the rate you make at your day job. More than you thought, no?

Now try to figure out the raw cost of that if you were paying someone to do it at $20/hour — and then figure out how much more you’d have to charge to make it possible to exist in a shop, with rent and operational expenses. Much less make any money on it.

If you’re an accountant, the shop owner doesn’t ask you to do his taxes for him for free because “how hard could it be.” If you’re a lawyer, the shop owner doesn’t ask you to sue the customer who stiffed them on a $5,000 transmission job because how hard can it be?

Just realize that it cost that much because it costs that much.

Would it be cheaper to go to the mechanic for an oil change or do it myself?

Do it yourself. Recently, I was in a hospital in the city, and my wife needed an urgent basic service, which cost $240.I would only sometimes allow people to work on our cars. They charged her for synthetic oil, an oil filter, and a flushing oil and $10 for oil for topping up transaxle oil.

I have always kept our cars in perfect condition and have been working on cars since I was 14. When I looked at the bill, which was itemized, I found some interesting facts.

Firstly, she was charged for fully synthetic engine oil, and the brand listed does not make a full synthetic oil in the viscosity grade required but only a semi-synthetic.

Furthermore, I have used fully synthetic PAO and ESTER-based oil since I had run in the car from brand new. Secondly, it didn’t need a flushing oil!

The dangers with using flushing oil are some are made from very tart, acidic, alcohol, or hydrocarbon-based compounds, which can be too strong, and sludge can block extremely small holes in the V.V.T assembly and hydraulic lifters.

Should an oil change cost $100?

I never use it! And with the lower mileage we had done, it was a money-making scam. And some engines don’t always drain all the oil out fully, so when you refill with new oil, it still has 300 ml of flushing oil in with the new oil. An interesting fact I noticed with this particular engine.

Additionally, they charged for the products used at nearly double the retail price. And was charged $15 for workshop materials and a $12 levy for the oil and filter disposal. Then, $5 for a sump plug washer.

And I know for a fact my transaxle did not need oil. A Mormon I worked for many years ago used to push soluble oil, which stuffed cooling system hoses up very quickly so he could create business for himself and used to do all sorts of shonky stuff.

Anyway, a week after getting out of hospital, I rang up the mongrel who serviced the car, and he reduced the price by $45. He tried bullshitting me with theories, but I wouldn’t let him escape. And I always keep spare oil and filters in the boot, but the wife forgot to tell him that. The thieving bastard!

What can you do if a mechanic charges too much for an oil change?

If you believe that a mechanic has overcharged you for an oil change, there are a few steps you can take. First, it’s important to remain calm and not get upset immediately, as this will only escalate the situation and put the mechanic on the defensive.

Politely ask for an explanation of the charges for the work performed, and explain that this wasn’t the price quoted to you beforehand. Ask the reason for the discrepancy and why you should have been notified of the change in pricing.

If you are unsatisfied with the explanation, you can ask to speak to the manager or owner of the shop. Explain your concerns and ask for a resolution. If the issue is unresolved, you can file a complaint with your state’s Attorney General’s office or the Better Business Bureau.

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To avoid being overcharged for an oil change or other services, it’s important to do your research and shop around for the best price. Get quotes from multiple mechanics and compare them. Look for reviews and ratings of the mechanic or shop online.

Be wary of mechanics who try to convince you that something is wrong with your car by spraying oil on the shock absorbers or using other deceptive tactics.

But before you go – clicking the upvote button will make both of us happy.

How much would I save by changing my oil?

Good question. Oil changes are becoming increasingly expensive, even if synthetic oil isn’t required in the vehicle. The actual cost of oil has increased in recent years, and labor has risen as well.

Even for a standard car like a Camry, which uses standard oil, 5 quarts of oil will cost $15–20, and a quality filter will cost about $6, so the total will be $21-$26 plus tax.

I’ve seen oil changes advertised for $19, but that’s low-quality oil and a low-quality filter. You’ll pay about $45 for decent parts, so you’ll save about $20.

However, you must also dispose of the used oil (don’t dump it on the ground; please recycle it), and you’ll need the space and tools to do the job. Some people enjoy the process and need a little time to do man stuff, so it’s worth it. The $20 in savings isn’t worth the time or effort for others.

It’s up to you to determine which type of person you are.

Should an oil change cost $100?

Should you change an oil filter when changing oil?

Always! The price of the oil filter is very low, and the benefit of taking crap out of your engine is long-term.

Many manufacturers say you should only change it once every two oil changes. Don´t. One more thing… pay more and get a quality filter. It pays off!

Get a new oil filter with new oil. Benefits:

Cleaner engine
Cleaner oil
Longer lasting engine
Peace of mind

When getting an oil change for your car, is getting the more expensive oil worth it?

You should always get oil that meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the mfg recommends full synthetic, then get it. If they recommend syn-blend, get that or the better full syn. If they call for conventional oil, get that, blend, or a full syn.

Get the correct viscosity. If it calls for ‘5w20’, get that. If they call for 10w30, get that. Get the right service rating or better.

The “service rating” is the age range of engines for which that oil is appropriate. The rating is at the top of the “donut” and is indicated by a two-letter combination (e.g., SN, SM, SL, SJ). The further down the alphabet, the second character is (S_), the more current the rating. SN is the most up-to-date rating.

• SN – For 2011 and older engines

• SM – For 2010 and older engines

• SL – For 2004 and older engines

• SJ – For 2001 and older engines

(Ratings SH through SA are now obsolete.)

The most important thing is to follow the mfg recommendations for oil change periods. Don’t neglect the maintenance. The oil brand doesn’t matter as long as you get the right type, service rating, and viscosity.

You might be better off with a more expensive brand or specialty oil like Royal Purple or Amsoil, but those specialty oils are a waste of money for most normal driving.

Should an oil change cost $100?

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Is it cheaper to bring your oil for an oil change?

It would cost you more in my shops.

First, we will not put in oil; we don’t supply it, as we can’t guarantee it.
Second, we make our margin on the oil because we do not charge labor.
Third, wherever you bought it, you paid retail or a sale price. We charge the wholesale bulk price. And after five oil changes, the 6th is free.
If you paid less than we charge, it is garbage oil and cannot meet your warrantee requirements.

Why is a car oil change so expensive?

It’s NOT expensive, relative to the cost of a new engine… let’s say you drive 15,000 miles a year and change oil and filter every 7,500 miles. That will cost you $130 per year for two changes. It’s way cheaper if you do it yourself.

Now compare that to $5 thousand to $6 thousand to swap out an engine; BTW, in many years of driving and with regular oil changes. I have NEVER had an engine fail. It’s usually rust or something else.

Why does an oil change cost $50 now when $25 was a reasonable price not long ago?

The easy answer here is inflation. Employees want more money, goods prices rise, and other similar things.

Another thing to consider is the amount of oil needed for your vehicle. My current vehicle needed 5 quarts of oil. My brother’s older vehicle requires 6 quarts of oil. The additional oil has an upcharge.

The place you were going to for an oil change may have increased pricing or have chosen to end a promotion with little to no warning.

Should an oil change cost $100?

In short, most oil changes can be done cheaply at home. All you need is an oil drain pan (reusable), 4–6 quarts of oil based on your vehicle, an oil filter, a wrench (reusable), and about 15 minutes. You may also need a jack, depending on your vehicle’s ride height.

TheThe price difference between a non-synthetic oil change at my home and a shop is pretty close. But synthetic oil changes have a huge difference. $40 to do it myself versus $70+ for a mechanic. The only difference between a synthetic oil change and a non-synthetic oil change is the oil type.

The labor is identical. Plus, by changing your oil, you’re more likely to notice small issues with your car before they become big. Simple issues such as low brake fluid or a leaky connection.

Do I need to change the oil before I store my car for 2 months?

Oil isn’t just for lubrication. It’s got surfactants in it, and it’s also a solvent.

The point is that once it’s been in an engine that’s running, oil has all sorts of contaminants. Some of those are acidic compounds that form from combustion by-products. And that doesn’t get any better with time.

For long-term storage? Total no-brainer: change the oil FOR SURE.

For two months? Mmmmm… Yeah, maybe? It’s not long enough to be a problem. The only thing I’d worry about is somehow “two months” turning into “two years,” in which case you’d wish that you’d done it.

What is included in the Midas oil change?

A dash of incompetence and a constant worry that they fucked something up or charged you for something they didn’t do. Also, they might forget the drain plug and brick your engine.

Just change it yourself. It’s stupidly easy, way cheaper, and you know exactly what you put in it (pro tip: if you’re a first-time, do it in the parking lot of a local parts store that does check engine light testing and similar things that way if you aren’t sure, you can ask one of them, and they’re quite likely to know.

(Also, if you do something first-timer like drain the wrong fluid, the parts place is just a few steps away, and you don’t have to worry about getting rid of the oil as most parts stores dispose of it for free, and some will even pay you small amounts for your old oil.

How often do you change the oil in your car?

I’m old school and do it every 3000 miles regardless of the manufacturer recommendations, which vary between 3000 and 15000 miles. I check my oil every time I fill up with gas. 95% of the time, I don’t need to do anything, but it’s a good habit to get into doing to spot any issues before they become serious. (I.e., leaks, low fluids, etc.).

I also use a premium filter like Napa Gold or Purolator pure-one. Cheap brands like Fram are completely avoided in my household as they are substandard junk. (Look up oil filter tear-down videos on YouTube for proof).

I use the viscosity and type specified by the manufacturer and the temperature that will operate the vehicle. Oil is cheap, but engines are not. Every one of the vehicles I have owned in the past 20+ years has exceeded 200,000+ miles before being sold or scrapped and was still running strong at that point.

Usually, corrosion was their demise, as I live in the rust belt. Most people need to read their owner’s manuals, which include both standard duty and ‘severe’ duty maintenance schedules, roughly analogous to highway and city driving, respectively. Severe duty maint schedule usually has the oil and filter changed twice as often, as stop-and-go driving is tougher on the engine and the oil than highway driving is.

Should an oil change cost $100?

I’ve taken apart engines that have run on manufacturer-recommended oil change intervals (typically 5000 or 7500 miles). The amount of baked-on varnish-like buildup (from oil breakdown due to age, use, and temperature) was more than I would have liked in my engines, so I’ll stick with my 3000-mile interval; thank you very much.

Extra credit: If you want your engine to last, avoid oil additives (‘snake oil’) and avoid ‘high mileage’ oil, which has additives to allegedly reduce leaks (these cause seals and gaskets to swell initially), which can temporarily reduce leakage.

However, those same additives cause gaskets and seals to get stiff and brittle, which will cause them to fail FASTER, making the leaks much worse and leading to engine failure due to oil loss. Avoid ever using ‘high mileage’ formulas for these reasons.

Can you change your oil without changing the filter?

Hello! It’s a common question that many car owners have. The short answer is yes, you can change an oil filter without changing the oil. However, it’s generally not recommended.

The purpose of changing the oil filter is to remove any debris or contaminants that have built up in the filter over time. If you were to change the filter without changing the oil, these contaminants would still be present in the oil, which could cause engine damage over time.

Changing the oil filter without changing the oil may not improve your engine’s performance as much as changing the oil and filter together would. When you change the oil, you’re also replenishing the oil’s additives, which help keep your engine running smoothly.

It’s important to note that changing the oil and filter together is typically the most cost-effective and efficient way to maintain your engine’s health. If you’re in a situation where you need to change the filter but don’t have time to change the oil, it’s better than not changing the filter at all.

However, it’s always best to change the oil and filter simultaneously. But before you go – clicking the upvote button will make both of us happy.

Conclusion: Should an oil change cost $100?

A hundred bucks is a fair price for a good oil change. And by “good” I mean

Quality synthetic oil
Name-brand oil filter
Responsible recycling
The oil plug was replaced properly
Fluids checked and topped up
Technician scans for other issues

I have a local garage that I’m happy with, and they charge about $170. That’s more expensive than the local quick change place, and I have to make an appointment, but I value the assurance that it was done right.

I’ve had mixed results with the quick change places. Mostly, they do a good job, but I’ve found unchanged oil filters, overtightened drain plugs, and missing dipsticks.

Should an oil change cost $100?