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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace. How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?Written by Andrew Pentis Sarah Sharkey Edited by Emilia Benton Michael Kitchen Updated on: October 28th, 2021Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. The cost of an oil change varies depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a mechanic as well as what 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 for this routine maintenance can prevent major damage to your vehicle down the road. Here’s what else 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:
With that said, there are a few basic costs that you can budget for. An average oil change can cost anywhere from $20 to $60 or more, according to prices advertised by major retailers on Oct. 13, 2021. Oil change retailerLowest-cost oil change serviceAAA-owned repair centers$19.95BRAKEMax$19.99Firestone$27.99Meineke$24.95O’Reilly$59.95Walmart$29.88If you take your vehicle to a shop for an oil change, they will charge you for a variety of items, including:
Any additional items and taxesWhen a mechanic performs an oil change, they also check other items on your vehicle. You might need an oil gasket replaced to prevent a leak, or they may offer to change your air filter. These all come with additional costs that range widely. Be sure to go over the estimate and invoice before agreeing to any additional maintenance. All of these costs add up. Just avoid being upsold unnecessary repairs. What’s the difference between synthetic and conventional oil?The basic difference between synthetic oil and conventional oil is that synthetic oil has man-made additives that improve lubrication and engine protection properties, while conventional oil does not. In most cases, synthetic oil will do a better job of protecting your engine from excess wear and tear. Still, it’s wise to check your car’s manual to determine the right oil type for your vehicle. Cost of a Walmart oil change by type of serviceStandard$29.88For cars with 75,000 miles-plus$35.88Part-synthetic oil$35.88Synthetic oil$44.88Prices as of Oct. 14, 2021What about part-synthetic oil?In addition to conventional and synthetic oils there is also an in-between option called a synthetic blend or part-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 though, part-synthetic oil doesn’t have clear-cut standards. That means that a manufacturer can blend as much or as little synthetic oil with as much mineral oil as they want. If you choose this option be sure that you know exactly what the mix is, and check your manual to see if it will work for your car. How often should you get an oil change?The oil in your engine lubricates moving parts and absorbs the heat of your engine. Depending on the vehicle and your driving demands, you typically need to change your oil between every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, with some experts even recommending 15,000, if using 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 as long as 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 on a more frequent basis. Based on how many miles you drive in a given month, the number of oil changes you need on an annual basis can add up quickly. In addition to considering the number of miles you drive, you should also consider the kind of miles you drive. When you check your manual, you may notice that it mentions two different types of driving: normal and severe. Normal conditions generally means that you drive and run your car in smooth-flowing traffic. Severe conditions generally mean that you regularly do the following things:
In the cases where you meet the severe criteria — say, if you live in a major metropolitan area and drive to the office, just a few miles away, in stop-and-go traffic, five days a week — then you will need to follow the severe maintenance schedule. That means that you will need to perform more frequent maintenance and get your oil changed more often to keep your car running in top shape. Benefits of getting your oil changed
What happens if you don’t get your oil changed?If you do not change your oil, your vehicle will eventually suffer serious consequences. At first, the engine will run too hot and cause a sharp decrease in efficiency. Over time, the components of your engine will begin to warp and wear out without lubrication. If you stretch the time between your oil changes, you will reduce the life of your engine as time goes on. If you neglect your oil change maintenance routine for too long, then the entire engine will stop working. At this point, you will either have to replace the engine or buy a new car. New engines can cost thousands of dollars, and that is one repair that you want to avoid. Tips to cover oil changes, other car maintenance costs
How can you avoid paying more for an oil change?While getting your oil changed on a regular basis is vital to ensure the health of your vehicle there are a few common “upsells” that some mechanics and shops may try and get you to purchase. Below are seven common items that mechanics and oil change shops might try to upsell you on 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 additional cash on these items.
This isn’t to say that these services are not necessary, nor that they are not recommended, but it’s best to consult your car’s manual and take into consideration the conditions under which you drive your vehicle, to get a better idea of the best intervals to perform all of these services. For example, AAA recommends that your engine air filter should be replaced every 20,000 miles if you live in the suburbs and/or non-polluted areas, but should be checked regularly to ensure that the airflow to the engine isn’t being restricted by a dirty filter. How much oil change in Firestone?To get your oil changed at your home or office, our service generally runs between $50 and $100 for most vehicles. Whatever kind of oil your vehicle needs, including specialty oils, we have it available to complete your service.
How much does oil replacement cost?Typically, an oil and filter change using conventional oil will cost between $35 and $75, depending on your area. If your car requires synthetic oil, you should expect to pay more (anywhere from $65 to $125) but you make up some of the cost, since synthetic oil lasts longer and has to be changed less frequently.
How long should an oil change take at Firestone?Most oil changes are completed within 30 minutes, but can run longer depending on how busy we are at the moment. Scheduling an oil change appointment is the best way to shorten the wait time. Our goal is to keep your car running newer, longer. And that takes a little extra care.
What does a full service oil change include?What Is Included in a Full-Service Oil Change? When you get a full-service change, an auto technician will change your car's motor oil with the type that it needs, which could be conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend, or high-mileage oil. You'll also have your used oil and oil filter replaced and recycled.
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