Oil Change: How Much Should You Spend?

There are few things as important to the life of your car than giving it a regular oil change. Whether you are going to do it yourself or bring it in to the shop, you need to be cognizant of the costs involved. This not only prepares you to budget accordingly, but will let you know when you see prices that are completely out of whack with reality. Keep in mind that if you plan to do it yourself, you need to not only know the costs in terms of money, but in terms of labor and time, which it will take quite a bit of, especially if you really aren’t experienced when it comes to working on your own car.

It goes without saying that you can save some money if you do your own oil change. The thing is, though, it really isn’t that much. The local shop or the national chain has the process down to a science and they can charge relatively competitive prices because they operate in volume. The discount auto parts store can’t do the same, though you are likely to find some decent deals. Of course, if you aren’t experienced in doing this kind of work, you are going to be in for a rude awakening. Doing this isn’t the hardest thing in the world, by any means, but it can be a pain if you don’t have the proper equipment (and how many people happen to have a car lift in their garage?). Nevertheless, if the project sounds fun and you aren't afraid of some hard work, you can expect to spend around $20 for the self service.

Another place you can take your car for an oil change is the local mechanic. There is a hidden benefit to doing this. You get to establish a working relationship which could come in handy if you have major car trouble down the line. Many people aren’t sure where to turn when they have expensive repairs imminently approaching. Having a good mechanic who knows you by name can really ease your mind when your car breaks down. You are probably going to be looking at around $30 to get the service done at one of these local garages.

Finally, there are the national chains. Excepting the benefit of getting to know the local mechanic, this is usually the best choice. Whether it is a place that specializes only in the oil change or a place that does brakes and mufflers as well, these shops offer a good price and they will usually have your car back to you in no time at all. You will probably be subject to quite a bit of up-selling, but as long as you know your car you can pick and choose what to purchase. The basic oil change itself will cost somewhere around $25 to $30.