How to Get a Cheap Oil Change for Your Car

Ah, to be free, to travel hither and yon, to venture from home and hearth with the wind in your hair, behind the wheel of your very own car. Have you ever considered, the less money you spend on your car, the more time you can spend in your car cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway?

You might be surprised how much money you spend on oil changes for your car, truck or van. Many people have been misinformed into believing they need to have their oil changed at a quick oil change and lube center every three months or 3,000 miles. At $35.00 per oil change, that adds up to at least $140 per year. A family with two cars will shell out $280.00 per year, 3 cars, $420.00. My family of twelve has 5 cars, so if we followed conventional wisdom, we would be spending $700.00 per year on oil changes! I could take the family on a three-day road trip for that kind of money! By necessity we’ve learned how to get a cheap car oil-change. Here’s how:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
   Take the path less taken!

   Don’t follow conventional wisdom! Most car manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions. Check your vehicle's Owner's Manual to see how often it recommends you change your oil based on your driving conditions. Most mechanics say a good rule of thumb is to change oil every 5,000 miles. That way, if you are a little late, say 6,000 miles, no harm, no foul. Adopt this practice and changing your oil will cost 33-50% less money! If you use a quick change oil and lube center, be sure to read my article “How to Avoid Disaster and Save Money at the Lube and Oil Change Center” (see Resources).

2. 
   Dive in!

   Dive in and do something new. Yes, that’s right - I mean change your own oil. Grab your teen kids and make it a family job. Instead of paying an oil change and lube center $35.00 for every oil change, you can do it yourself for about $15.00 per oil change, a savings of $20 each!

3. 
   Get it on sale!

   If you get your oil and filter on sale, you can change your oil for even larger discount. For example, I get my oil in gallon jugs, Advance Auto Parts store brand for $8.98 per gallon. I get store brand filters during Advance Auto Parts’ Buy One Get One sale for an average of about $1.50 apiece. Four and a half quarts of oil per car plus filter comes out to around $12.00 per oil change, LESS THAN HALF the $35.00 a quick lube business would charge.
   
   Occasionally, Autozone runs a special sale where you can get a 5-quart jug of store brand motor oil and a filter for $9.99 – a phenomenal price. Watch for similar deals at any auto parts business.

4. 
   Enjoy the time you save!

   This saves time, too. If I were to take my car to the nearest quick lube place, it would take me 15 minutes to drive there, at least 45 minutes to get the car through their service bay, 10 minutes to check their work (an absolute must if you use a quick oil and lube center), and another 15 minutes to drive home for a total of nearly an hour and a half. In contrast, in less than two hours I can oil-change and lube all five of my cars right outside my own home. So not only is there a huge time savings, but money and gas as well!

Tips & Warnings

• A car dealer, quick lube shops, and other automotive service business may advertise “$14.95 oil change specials” from time to time. That price is certainly competitive with doing it yourself. But don’t forget your time is worth something. Also be sure to read the fine print, which often will say shop fees, taxes, HAZMAT disposal fees, etc. are extra, and thus will increase that teaser price significantly. Also consider that at this price the oil change is a loss-leader the shop will use to get you in the door and attempt to hard-sell you all kinds of products and services your car may not even need.
• If you begin to change your own oil, you will incur some up-front expenses for some basic, inexpensive equipment. You will need some tools: a catch-pan for the dirty oil, shop rags, wheel ramps or jack stands, oil filter wrench, grease gun and grease and an adjustable wrench. You can buy most, if not all of this equipment used for cheap, but even if bought new the cost is very reasonable.
• Also consider the very real and enduring benefit of changing your own oil as a great way to spend time with family. I still have fond boyhood memories of changing the oil with my Dad on the family station wagon over forty years ago. I treasure the times I have spent doing the same thing with my teen sons and daughters. How much better this has been than just schlepping down to some quick lube place, thumbing through a NASCAR magazine in the waiting area, eating stale doughnuts and drinking burnt coffee. Creating memories that last lifetimes while changing your oil. Who would have thought?

Resources

• How to Avoid Disaster and Save Money at the Lube and Oil Change Center
• How to Save 25% on Gas Realistically
• How to Be Free of Car Payments

[sdowns]

on 7/13/2009 One major consideration not to overlook: You must deliver your old oil to a lube-shop for correct disposal. They do not charge a disposal fee, but you must not put it in the trash or down a drain. It is very environmentally destructive and would carry a hefty fine. Please dispose of your old oil correctly.

[pressa]

on 2/2/2009 I've been changing my own oil for about 4 years after some poor service from a quick lube. I bring the kids out and we make a day out of it in the garage. the only way they will drive my cars is if they help maintain them and make good grades. Parts Plus has some inexpensive filters, I get fuel filters for less than $4.00 from them and bought 2 oil filters for 3.20 a piece. Shop around and do your research and settle on what works for your needs.

[dsarokin]

on 11/16/2008 Good tips. Car maintenance is a necessary evil, and your good advice is much appreciated.

[xtraordinary]

on 11/14/2008 Very thorough article with great tips...every little bit counts! 5 stars!

[veryirie]

on 11/10/2008 This is definitely something everyone could do for themselves and save some money at the same time. Thanks!