A car’s oil needs to be changed regularly, and even a rookie driver knows that. The simple oil change, which is among the most fundamental preventative maintenance procedures, has been the source of much confusion.
In what quantity of gallons should I fill my car? When should I change the oil in my car? Is it better to change the oil at a specific mileage or at a given date? Does synthetic oil have a different change interval? If I put it off, what’s the worst that may happen? How much does an oil change cost is the next big issue.
When calculating the cost of an oil change, there are several variables to consider. Now is a great time to read your owner’s manual if you haven’t done so in a long time or ever. It will detail the manufacturer’s specific recommendations for oil changes.
It outlines the necessary oil viscosity (oil thickness), the engine’s oil capacity, whether your vehicle needs conventional or synthetic oil, and how frequently you should change your oil based on how and under what circumstances you drive. The cost of an oil change is significantly influenced by a number of variables, the most significant of which are the make, model, year, and mileage of the vehicle being serviced.
Why Oil Change Prices Vary
As with the majority of auto repairs and maintenance, the cost varies. Some engines can hold a lot of oil while others can’t, and the cost difference between synthetic and regular oil is significant. A 3.0-liter diesel in a W123 Mercedes-Benz 300D requires more than twice as much as the 3.4 quarts needed by the tiny inline-four in a first-generation Mazda Miata.
You’ll also need to pay for an oil filter and the shop’s hourly labor rate in addition to the cost of the golden slippery substance. One might expect to pay more at a dealer for the aforementioned, but our research shows that this is not always the case. Expect to pay around $75 for an oil change and filter replacement because a five-quart container of high-quality synthetic oil can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 on its own.
We double-checked the prices at four different oil change shops, including a dealership, in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area where our headquarters are located. We found that the cost of an oil and filter change ranged from $71 at an oil change business that offered a discount coupon to $84 at another oil change location using a fake 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata that utilizes synthetic oil as our pricing tester. The price from the dealer was $75.
Do-it-yourself and Cut Costs
Put down some cardboard, take off the drain plug, and get your hands dirty if you have even a passing interest in mechanics and the means to do so. In most circumstances, changing your own oil shouldn’t take more than an hour and could be the least scary first step in learning how to operate on a car.
Not to mention the time and money you’ll save not having to hire extra help. The oil and filter for our make-believe Miata cost a total of $36 on Amazon, so changing it yourself can save a lot of money. In any case, you have a better idea of how much money an oil change can cost.
Oil Change: Why You Should Do It
You shouldn’t put off changing the oil and filter. Don’t do that or your oil might turn into petroleum sludge, which would prevent it from flowing properly through the engine and eventually cause it to break down. This could very well be the last for your car. However, it is more likely that the oil in your engine may lose part of its lubricating properties, speeding up the wear on the engine’s internals.
By reducing drag and protecting moving parts from premature wear, clean, fresh oil can improve efficiency and prolong the life of your vehicle. Not to mention, even the best-running cars use up some oil over time. If you go too long without having your oil changed, you risk having your engine seize up due to lack of lubrication.
Change Your Oil When It’s Time
Petroleum technology has advanced to the point that some manufacturers suggest going as far as 10,000 miles between oil changes. Never believe the advice of the Peppy Lube Guys’ mechanic or their marketing materials; instead, stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Keep in mind that they are the ones that engineered your vehicle in the first place, therefore it is in their best interest for it to operate as efficiently and for as long as possible. After all, it bears their label.
Don’t Change Your Oil Too Often
And so, although clean oil is vital to an engine’s longevity, you shouldn’t be fooled into replacing it more often than is strictly necessary. Those Valvo Jiff ‘n’ Pep stickers that remind you every three thousand miles that you should get an oil change? That three thousand mile gap is usually pointless and wasteful. The typical oil change interval for a vehicle under normal driving circumstances is between 7,500 and 10,000 miles.
