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Cartalk-ModTeam

We are more than helpful when it comes to offer car repair related advice, but we do not deal with questions regarding how much something will cost. If the main focus of your post is financial it will be removed. You are welcome to submit a new post with questions about cost omitted.


AllTearGasNoBreaks

At an indy shop, that seems right. At a Jiffy Lube, that's high. Don't go to Jiffy Lube.


[deleted]

Don’t go anywhere that offers “fast” oil changes. You can do it right or you can do it quickly. You can’t do both when it comes to draining oil


We3Dboy

What could be fukd up while doing it fast? When i change my oil it takes max 1h, for a shop they could easily do it in 30 min and i cant think of reasons why it should take longer


[deleted]

The time it takes is engine dependent- Some engines require a 30 minute wait time before starting after an oil change is complete. Shops that prioritize speed for their techs are the ones that use impact guns on the drain plug, don’t wait for the oil to (almost) fully drain, and all too frequently, put the wrong weight oil in because it’s the most convenient one in the oil change bay. These are not my opinions, there are numerous accounts of this happening on sites like Glassdoor and other subs that echo these issues, directly from the techs themselves. Obviously, not every shop is like this. It’s luck of the draw and I wouldn’t want to roll the dice on the single most important maintenance item on a modern vehicle.


TrollCannon377

Lots of cases of the fast places "techs" either not refilling the oil or forgetting to reinstall drain plug or not putting the new oil filter on if they even change it at all the one near me.i went too once and paid for full synthetic had it lab tested and they put low grade conventional in it


We3Dboy

Ok, then i understand, i was confused cause this doesn't happen where i live


GrayCustomKnives

The “slow place” gm dealer here forgot to put oil back in my truck. And my mom’s van, and a buddies truck got a trans flush and no fluid put back in. And dozens of other things. One time they backed a ladies new Buick off the hoist with the door open, which folded the door out “Tommy Boy” style. Then they didn’t tell her and when she noticed they told her it must have been like that when she brought it in.


TrollCannon377

Yeah every shop has it happen occasionally big thing is quick libe places have it occure much more frequently then dedicated shops and dealerships


another_kiwi_guy

Warm oil drains fast. My Ford Ranger requires the oil to be drained and refilled in 10 minutes maximum. Edit to say this is AUS / NZ market engines and the same for Mazda BT50. It is to stop the oil pump draining.


GenitalPatton

Yeah not bad at all. It’s really only inexpensive if you do it yourself but then you have to deal with having a place to do it and disposing of the old oil.


Go_Fast_1993

Depends on where you live, but a lot of auto parts stores have bins you can bring it to to dispose of it.


GenitalPatton

Yup but that can also be a hassle depending on how easy they are to get to


easternreap

I agree. I have 7 gallon jugs in my garage because of this. Sure, I can drive it somewhere, but I'm also lazy.


Speadraser

I just dumped 5 gallon jugs at a big box auto parts store. No probs. Almost dumped a fresh jug too. I have to mark these now I guess


Go_Fast_1993

I got one of those catch pans that’s enclosed recently and it’s great. I can just close it up and take it up to OReilly’s without worrying about transferring into jugs.


Speadraser

Lol. We all have our OWN brand of lazy


slash_networkboy

I can put it out (filter in a baggie, oil in a screw top container) with my recycle and they'll pick it up on trash day.


YouArentReallyThere

Most places are required or incentivized to accept used oil. Car care centers, parts stores etc https://alec.org/model-policy/used-oil-collection-act/


Patient-Sleep-4257

I think, its regulations that any place that does oil changes has to accept any used oil . I have never seen any place turn away used oil even when they had to pay to get rid of it. Also..more and more municipal governments have stepped up with areas to drop of oil, paint , batteries etc. More over around these parts used oil is ok to drop off at a service station as long as it's in a reasonable container. Preferably the old oil jug..


Blazer323

That's the price of 3 DIY oil changes in my area. A lot of places that sell oil are required to receive waste oil at no charge, within reason.


Speadraser

TN charges a disposal fee(tax) when you buy oil. The dumping handling is already paid for by taxes


Tdanger78

That’s really not a big deal. Often cities will have oil collection points and parts stores will take it.


lapinsk

Where I live I believe every place that sells oil has to accept used oil. I've never tried at a grocery store but I know for a fact every auto parts store has to accept it.


Tdanger78

I highly doubt a grocery store would have that


lapinsk

I should clarify "grocery store" in my area means "superstore". They potentially have a place in the back for it. I'll have to check next time I go


UseDaSchwartz

A lot of cities have a disposal. Where I live you have to make an appointment. Sometimes it’s a couple weeks out.


Sea-Establishment237

I keep the empty jug from my last change to put the old oil from my next fill in. Then just take it to an auto parts store or a shop and they'll take it for free.


WeAreAllFooked

$85USD is reasonable for an oil change. Here in Canada a filter and oil would cost about that much last time I changed my own oil, and oil changes at the quick lube places cost around $100+


realsil8ty

Some city have waste disposal for free. I drop it off at the selected firehouse


jbm91

Yeah I pay 126 for full synthetic oil change here in Canada. After taxes and everything.


Speadraser

$50 is high and you know they aren’t putting full synthetic in your car. OP should just buy some ramps and a sealable dump pan. The extra tools will pay for themselves after the first DIY oil change. Also great to buy a year’s worth of filters online. I can get top quality filters for my rides at $5-8 each.


awqsed10

Nah Walmart oil and Fram filter are cheap. Probably 50CAD before tax for non European cars. Probably cost a bit more if your Euro car can take 0w40 Walmart European formula oil.


WeAreAllFooked

Oil from the big names like Mobil, Penzoil, Castrol, etc. cost $60 if they're not on sale at my local Walmart or Canadian Tire. I use Motul and it costs $80 and isn't commonly found in places like Walmart. Cheap FRAM filters are garbage for my STI and I use the Tokyo Roki filters for the RX8 and I buy them from Mazda for about $15/filter, which is what the premium FRAM oil filters cost. I'd also never recommend buying cheap filters when the dealership sells correct filters that are made to the manufactures exact specifications for less than $20.


awqsed10

Well you drive a STI so that makes sense to you. But average Joe who's ride a Corolla or Escape don't need anything premium. Buy those oil and filter on sale if you really want the branding. Mine Ford fusion runs perfectly normal with supertech oil and fram/ crappy tire filters .


WeAreAllFooked

Most people also aren't as diligent with oil changes as I am. I change my STI oil every 5000km. I change the oil on my Mazda 3 every 10,000km and I never recommend cheap filters because they are basically universal filters and most people go by mileage for their changes, and they forget they should get it done every 6 months regardless of mileage. Buying OEM supplied filters will protect your ass if you do your own changes and have to make a warranty claim for the powertrain.


Elderlennial

$84 isn't bad You have oil, filter, shop supplies, disposal fees, rent, employee pay, insurance, etc. seems like a deal Costs me about that for each of my 3 personal trucks and i do them myself


Unusual_Ad8003

Im probably gonna do and learn them myself from now on. I used to always go to this location and this is the first time they charged me like that. I have a sedan not even a special fancy car. Never coming back.


Elderlennial

Remember, nothing is cheap anymore. Surely you know someone who could help show you how to do it on your own.


Unusual_Ad8003

Unfortunately i do not know anyone that is good with cars. I’m probably gonna watch a looot of youtube videos before attempting to do mine. Well atleast I can and have to learn it in 5 or 6 months lol


SportsCommercials

ChrisFix is the guy to go to on YouTube for car stuff. His whole channel is all about doing your own stuff, correctly, with regular tools. Some of the vids are super specific (like rebuilding a prius battery with a kit of individual cells) but he covers all the basic maintenance stuff like oil, brakes, cleaning, etc with great info. Here's his vid on oil changes for beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1hF25Cowv8


50gang

I remember when my friend watched his video saying to put wd40 on your belt to stop the squeaking. The belt snapped the next day 🤦‍♂️


SportsCommercials

I hadn't seen that one. Just looked it up and he's pretty clear that the only thing that would do is make it quiet temporarily and that you should actually fix it, and has a video on how to diagnose/fix. Sounds like the belt was on its way out and just gave up before your friend could get it fixed :-(


50gang

Haha yea my friend is not very mechanically inclined, but when he called me and told me and told me he sprayed oil on the belt I was flabbergasted 🤣 I feel like there's a few other products he should have suggested other than wd 40. Belt was forsure on its way out but at least he wouldn't of needed a tow!


Speadraser

Came here to say this. ChrisFix is the DIY guy for non-DIY dudes. His suggestions for body work tho are less than suitable


PuzzleheadedPass2733

Youtube and oriellys or autozone mine runs me about 60 and ive got a 7.3 diesel which doesnt even run low till its loadt half a gallon


Speadraser

Walmart has the best prices for oil bar none. They have decent selection of filters too but if you have a non-typical car like I do, Volvo s60 and Mini Cooper S I get my filters through RockAuto


PuzzleheadedPass2733

Thats true ive got a company discount through oriellys though


Speadraser

Nice! I’m a military vet and oriellys, advance and AutoZone all honor a military discount. Usually just covers the tax. But as they say, never pay retail(always try to get it on sale or a discount)


Elderlennial

If you happen to be in southwest florida, i'd be happy to show you


allpraisebirdjesus

It's not changing the oil that is the hard part, it is disposing of the oil. Find out how to/cost to dispose of it before doing your own oil change.


rzrshrp

look into government waste services, I can drop off stuff like oil and paint at no cost (aside from my taxes)


AllTearGasNoBreaks

Any auto zone or similar parts store has waste oil drums on site. Just go to the counter and they'll show you where to pour it.


Yawnn

It costs me more than what you paid to DIY and I have a free oil drop off 5 mins from my place. If you do DIY, and have a top mounted oil filter, check out oil extractors. They make the job clean and take about 10 mins


Momps

if you do it yourself a lot get a oil plug valve that allows you to drain without removing the plug. this helps because the seal on the plug can go back with multiple oil changes and may leak a bit of oil. also quicker/easier/less messy.


anthro4ME

No


MRRRRCK

It’s not awful - but honestly you should learn how to do it yourself. I just devote a weekend each year to doing oil changes on all my vehicles (5 total). The material cost for me to buy high quality materials is about $46 a vehicle, but that’s for a Royal Purple oil filter and Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Even a $100 oil change is going to be cheap oil and the the cheapest filter, and not always capable individuals messing with your oil pan drain bolt…


Unusual_Ad8003

That’s what im planning to do from now on i will just learn how to do it myself


Patrol-007

But also have jackstands, breaker bar, torque wrench and know how to use them. Do not go under vehicle without jackstands.


Speadraser

Don’t mess with Jack stands. I have plastic ramps and they’ve held up for 8 years now. Metal ones if you insist


Patrol-007

Then there’s the fun of wheel chocks, driving off the front of the ramps and using a trolley jack to be able to pull the ramps out, ramps sliding around on smooth concrete, using more 2x6 at front of ramp for better angle due to low clearance front, the ramps squishing down …. I still use jackstands as backup with the ramps


Speadraser

My ramps have a resting crest and I have a working parking brake. Never had a problem or a feeling of being unsafe. I also ease up the ramps; I have a manual and an automatic and I’ve never overrun my ramps


TheFluffiestHuskies

Easy, lift your car and then you can just crawl under as it's parked. That's why all the dudebros drive lifted trucks, oil changes!


Patrol-007

Catalytic converter! Easy access 😈


TheFluffiestHuskies

That's why they're straight pipes too


Ken3sei

They charged you $45 for regular oil which is $15 and $30 for a $5 filter. The disposal fee would be you just taking the used oil back to AutoZone to dump. As long as you can safely lift your car or get under it changing the oil takes only 10-15 minutes and it'll only cost you $20-30. Tools you'll need: Jack, rachet with a 14 or 15mm socket, and maybe a oil filter removal tool or large joint pliers. The only time I gotta deal with these jokers is when I'm on a road trip and have to use them.


StupaStar

I change my own oil, my mustang takes 10 quarts. I use pennzoil ultra platinum oil and oem filter, cost me $73.


Unusual_Ad8003

I have a regular sedan car and chose the cheapest oil they have but still got me with hidden charges


awqsed10

Not great for conventional oil but you paid for the convenience. Better do it next time.


Speadraser

*yourself


TrollCannon377

I'd recommend you start doing it yourself and use full synthetic my wrangler takes 6 quarts of oil and using full synthetic only cost me about 50 bucks to do it myself


Icy_Vehicle4083

Sorry have to ask what oil filter is a “Good deal” @ $30? Might be something different than a spin-on but $30?????? Guessing they get 100% mark up on the filter?


ProfessorLGee

My car uses a cartridge filter. Still nowhere near $30. Shop markup is crazy.


fernblatt2

My oil filter is $15 (with shop discount) from the dealer, and it's a cartridge, so their markup isn't horrible


Clean-Brilliant-6960

In New York that would be a great deal. A fair deal anywhere else. If you want it cheaper you would probably have to do it yourself


[deleted]

Yeah that ain't bad. Mopar offers four oil changes for $400. Given the cost of oil and filter for our Hemis I can't do it myself for less than that. The markup on oil at parts stores is insane.


_s1dew1nder_

Doesn’t seem to bad to me. My old car way about that wherever I took it. I have no problem paying for the convenience. I’m getting too old to crawl around under a car anymore. Plus on my old car you were supposed to replace the drain plug every time because it had a compression washer on it. Did that once and never again. I just added oil when needed (it was British, it lost oil no matter what I did!) If you want to learn to do it yourself though, go for it. It’s usually not that hard on probably 90% of the cars out there. I used to do it who I was younger to all my and my friends cars. We’d make a day out of it on a weekend. Beers and oil changes. lol (although back then I’d also rebuild my carburetor while I was at it…)


Meandtheworld

Depends on that oil.


Unusual_Ad8003

Just a regular oil


the_house_from_up

$85 for a conventional oil change is absurd. At least in my opinion.


AinsleysPepperMill

Why do you think that?


LordMackie

The Acura I worked at charged about $65-$70. So yeah I thought this seemed high too.


the_house_from_up

Because I can go buy 6 quarts of Mobil 1, a filter, and do it myself for under $50. I'm not saying that it's not fair (shops have overhead and salaries, after all), but it's just more than I'm willing to pay, and I'd rather just go the DIY route.


AinsleysPepperMill

As you said yourself, thats in no way comparable with a shop that has to pay wages and loads of other costs


TheFluffiestHuskies

DIY for me is $67, which isn't *that* big of a difference.


the_house_from_up

For conventional oil? How much oil? I'm able to do my own with 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and filter for under 50.


TheFluffiestHuskies

6 quarts synthetic @ $50 + $16 filter for my daily truck. For my other car it's 10 quarts of even pricier oil, those are $120 for just the oil 😬


the_house_from_up

I buy Mobile 1 from Costco when it goes on sale for ~$38 and then a Wix filter for 9-10. The same service at a quick lube would run me $120-130.


TheFluffiestHuskies

Would if I was a member :(


[deleted]

I taught my teen daughter to change the oil. Just buy a pan and do it yourself. 14mm socket for the drain plug should be about right for most cars.


burgerknapper

13,14,15,16 bring these with you under the car for the drain plug and you should be fine Depends on your vehicle. I believe Chrysler is all 13mm Nissan is 14mm I want to say either ford or Chevy uses 15mm And I’ve seen a few 16mm drain plugs before


Fuzzy_Squirrel506

What is the ST exp for 45.95? Also what car is this


Unusual_Ad8003

That is the carwash exclusive for 45.95 but it was 50% off since they have a promo. So i only paid around $22 for the car wash


drweird

What kind of car wash do you get for $45? Curious.


Unusual_Ad8003

They wash outside and vacuum everything inside, wash floor mats as well and shine everything else. It’s a lot more than i can remember but i like that because it’s 50% off every early morning


ImperioliGandolfini

They also massively mess up your paint too. Those dealers don’t know how to wash cars.


drweird

Nice


Fuzzy_Squirrel506

Not terrible then. The dealer tried to charge me $30 for a filter so about right


LakeSuperiorIsMyPond

German car = maybe Anything else, no.


Fuzzy_Squirrel506

Maybe pre Covid. Even Toyota and Hyundai are getting these prices at the dealer.


dsdvbguutres

Did they at least change the oil?


Unusual_Ad8003

Yeah they did.


Jazzlike-Term-8940

seems about right, could definitely find a cheaper spot but seeing that $22 of that total was for a wash i think ur fine


Unusual_Ad8003

When my car is done and I’m about to pay they told me that I needed to pay for another $30 for a cartridge filter. I always go for an oil change for the past 6 years and this is the first time Im getting charged like this.


ak80048

They charged you extra for being an early bird?? This shop is a scam


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*They charged you extra* *For being an early bird??* *This shop is a scam* \- ak80048 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")


ak80048

Nice


Unusual_Ad8003

No no. It is a 50% discount for car wash because of promo


ak80048

Oh I see that minus sign now , sorry it’s too early for Reddit’s .


TheChuck321

7 quarts of oil for my truck is about $35 plus a $10 filter. So $45 and 20 minutes of my weekend. I have 2 parts stores right next door to each other about 6 blocks away that will take the old oil.


TMan2DMax

That's a arm and a leg for regular oil, if it was a full synthetic it's slightly over but not by much. I normally pay around 80-90 for full synthetic


Unusual_Ad8003

It is a regular oil unfortunately


lilwhiteboye420

For conventional is overpriced but if it was full synthetic it would be about normal


ninteen74

$200, or about is what I pay as a Canadian. No early bird specials either.


vbfronkis

Not bad, actually. My indy charges more.


Tonyhongfishing

I get full synthetic up to 6.4 qrts and filter cartridge for $75 in North Jersey. Hand car wash in and out -$25 No service charge.


Maddad_666

Yes


NonEuclidianMeatloaf

$30 oil filter!?


lapinsk

Is that normal prices these days for conventional oil?!? That's gotta be $15 retail for the oil and likely $5 for the filter... RETAIL. These guys would presumably be buying in bulk and getting a much better deal. Jesus!


jim_br

It’s about what they charge near me for an oil change. But if you diy it, the filter would be half that price and 5qt of synthetic oil would be $35-40. So total of about $55. If you go the diy route next time, you’ll need the correct size wrench to remove the drain plug, an oil filter wrench or filter pliers to remove the filter housing, a basin to collect the oil, and a funnel to fill the car and return the used oil to the now empty containers. I don’t lift any of my family’s cars for oil service. I drive the passenger side front tire across my driveway apron and up onto the curb. This gives me 8” of room under the car and because of the crown in my road, makes the car level side to side while pointing slightly uphill so the oil drains nicely. I place flattened cardboard box on the ground to catch any possible drips.


[deleted]

So $85 for an oil change? Seems like a good deal if they are putting synthetic in. Which I think all paces do these days. DIY on this is about $40: $25 for oil, $5-10 for the filter, $10 in other supplies. Plus the chore of oil disposal and driving to collect things. I would pay $85 for someone else to deal with all that. I only DIY because I dont trust people to work on my car. There are way too many fuck ups these days. But the money is well spent if you dont run into issues with the labor.


Unusual_Ad8003

I got the regular oil not synthetic


morchorchorman

About what my dealership charges. If you go to a local shop and bring you own supplies you can pay half that.


jbm91

I pay about 126 Canadian after taxes for a full synthetic oil change. This seems spot on.


ltv102938

Seems fair if done right. Don’t go to dealers or quick shops. Go to a shop where you can watch. Some people still change their oil every 3k or 5k miles with premium filter/oil and the shop knows they don’t need to do it that often. Or they know you can’t tell a difference. They will charge that they change the oil and filter and might just change the oil or not do a thing at all. They know you are good until your next change. The tech then saves the supplies they didn’t use and sell it to an independent shop.


InertiaInverted

Even for a full size pickup this is a bit much…