How Much Does an Oil Change Cost? – LendingTree

The cost of an oil change varies depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a mechanic, as well as the type of oil your car needs. For a basic oil change at regional and national retailers, you can expect to pay at least $20 to $60.

Spending money on this routine maintenance can prevent major damage to your vehicle in the future. This is what you need to know.

how much does an oil change cost?

The cost of an oil change can vary widely and depend on things like:

• the year, make, and model of your car (something to keep in mind if you’re considering buying a new or used car)
• where you get your oil changed (or if make yourself)
• the type of oil your car needs

That said, there are some basic costs you can budget for. an average oil change can cost anywhere from $20 to $60 or more, based on prices announced by major retailers on October 1. 13, 2021.

If you take your vehicle to a shop for an oil change, they will charge you for a variety of items, including:

• New Oil Filter: Cost may vary depending on your vehicle.
• New Oil: Oil can be expensive depending on your vehicle. the volume and type of oil you need. There are two types of oil: synthetic and conventional. synthetic oil tends to be more expensive by a magnitude.
• Old Filter Disposal, Oil: These fees may change depending on the state and location where the oil is changed. Each state, and in some cases, locality, establishes its own process for the proper and environmentally safe disposal of these items.
• Labor Costs: Labor costs are broken out by hour and are highly dependent on location. the more prosperous a location is, the more you will have to pay for labor.

any additional items and taxes

When a mechanic performs an oil change, they also check other items on your vehicle. you may need to replace an oil seal to prevent a leak, or you may be offered to change your air filter. all of these come with additional costs that vary widely. be sure to review the quote and invoice before agreeing to any additional maintenance.

All of these costs add up. it just prevents you from being sold unnecessary repairs.

what is the difference between synthetic and conventional oil?

The basic difference between synthetic oil and conventional oil is that synthetic oil has artificial additives that improve the lubricating properties and protection of the engine, while conventional oil does not. In most cases, synthetic oil will do a better job of protecting your engine from excessive wear. even so, it is advisable to consult your car manual to determine the type of oil suitable for your vehicle.

what about partially synthetic oil?

In addition to conventional and synthetic oils, there is also an option in between called synthetic blend or partially synthetic oil. Synthetic blend oil mixes synthetic oil with mineral oils to get some of the properties of synthetic oil without the added cost.

Don’t be fooled, partially synthetic oil doesn’t have clear standards. that means a manufacturer can mix as much or as little synthetic oil with as much mineral oil as they want. if you choose this option, make sure you know the exact mix and check your manual to see if it will work for your car.

how often should you change the oil?

Your engine oil lubricates moving parts and absorbs heat from your engine.

Depending on the vehicle and its driving demands, you typically need to change your oil every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, with some experts even recommending 15,000, if you use a high-quality synthetic oil.

The best rule of thumb is to always check your vehicle manual and see what interval the manufacturer recommends. In many cases, going 10,000 to 15,000 miles between oil changes can cause significant damage to your engine. As your car ages, you should expect to change the oil more often. Depending on how many miles you drive in a given month, the number of oil changes you need annually can add up quickly.

In addition to considering the number of miles you drive, you should also consider the type of miles you drive. When you review your manual, you may notice that it mentions two different types of driving: normal and severe. Normal conditions generally mean that you are driving and driving your car in flowing traffic. Severe conditions generally mean that you regularly do the following things:

• your trips tend to be less than 10 miles each time you drive.
• there is no extensive idling (like you would in stop-and-go traffic)
• you drive your vehicle on dusty or dirt roads
• tow or carry a cargo container on the roof of your vehicle
• use your vehicle for any type of commercial work (i.e. lyft or uber, taxi, making deliveries, etc.)
• you live and drive in an environment where you have freezing winters and/or hot summers.

In cases where you meet the severe criteria, for example, if you live in a major metropolitan area and drive to the office, just a few miles away, in intermittent traffic, five days a week, then you you will have to follow the severe maintenance schedule. That means you’ll need to perform more frequent maintenance and change your oil more often to keep your car running in tip-top shape.

1. Improved Engine Efficiency: The cleaner the oil, the better lubrication it provides. that means your engine can run more efficiently and even improve your fuel economy.
2. keep your engine running cooler: the lubrication provided by the oil helps dissipate engine heat. heat causes engine components to break down faster, so keeping your engine running cooler is crucial to ensuring it stays in the best shape possible.
3. clean your engine and prevent “sludge” buildup: sludge can build up when the oil needs to be changed. dirt and dust particles can enter the engine and cause corrosion. Regularly changing your oil removes those dirt particles and prevents sludge buildup.
4. Ensuring your engine lasts longer: By keeping your engine properly clean and lubricated, you you ensure your car will keep running for longer.

what happens if you don’t change the oil?

If you don’t change your oil, your vehicle will eventually suffer serious consequences. at first the engine will run too hot and will cause a sharp drop in efficiency. Over time, your engine components will begin to warp and wear out without lubrication. If you extend the time between oil changes, you will reduce the life of your engine over time.

If you neglect your oil change maintenance routine for too long, your entire engine will stop working. at this point you will either have to replace the engine or buy a new car. new motors can cost thousands of dollars and that’s one repair you should avoid.

• learn the basics: if you’re handy with cars, then you can save hundreds of dollars on regular car maintenance by doing the maintenance yourself. many of the parts are affordable, but the extra labor can put a strain on your budget. When money is tight, you might consider learning to do basic car maintenance yourself.
• Find the Right Mechanic for You: As your car comes out of warranty, you need to find a reliable and affordable mechanic to take care of your car. If you don’t want to do any repairs yourself, then finding a mechanic you trust is essential. otherwise, you may end up paying for costly, unnecessary repairs.
• Create an Emergency Fund: With an emergency fund available, you’ll be more prepared for what whatever life throws at you. when an unexpected auto repair comes up, dip into these emergency savings to take care of it.
• Pick a side job: leverage your current skills or learn something new to start earning extra money. you can use the money to finance car repairs. some ideas include babysitting and starting a blog.
• sell your unused stuff: if you have stuff lying around the house, then consider selling it for cash. Not only will you be able to use that money to finance a car repair, but you’ll also be able to declutter your home at the same time.

how to avoid paying more for an oil change?

While changing your oil regularly is vital to ensure the health of your vehicle, there are some common “upsells” that some mechanics and shops may try to get you to buy.

Below are seven common items mechanics and oil change shops might try to sell you when you take your car in for an oil change. By keeping the following in mind, you’ll be able to negotiate with the mechanic and find out if you really need to spend extra money on these items.

1. cabin air filter replacement
2. engine air filter replacement
3. coolant flush
4. tire rotation
5. brake pad or rotor replacement
6. wiper blade replacement

this is not to say that these services are not necessary, nor that they are not recommended, but it is better to consult the manual of your car and take into account the conditions in which you drive your vehicle, to have a better idea of ​​​​the best intervals to perform all these services. For example, AAA recommends that your engine air filter be replaced every 20,000 miles if you live in the suburbs and/or unpolluted areas, but it should be checked regularly to ensure airflow to the engine is not restricted by a dirty filter.