Cheapest place to get an oil change?
- Thread starter PHiuR
- Start date
Rumpltzer
Diamond Member
- Jun 7, 2003
- 4,815
- 33
- 91
Ask your boyfriend to change your oil for you.
Walmart forgot to put oil in one of my sister's cars after draining it and putting a new filter on. The store gave her $400 to shut her up.
A different Walmart forgot to put the cap back on after filling the car with new oil on my other sister's car. She drove from Central Florida to Alabama and never wondered what that burning smell was. Her entire engine compartment was covered in oil. She paid to have it steam cleaned (?) and had to have the sound dampening material under the hood replaced. Walmart refunded her oil change.
Walmart forgot to put oil in one of my sister's cars after draining it and putting a new filter on. The store gave her $400 to shut her up.
A different Walmart forgot to put the cap back on after filling the car with new oil on my other sister's car. She drove from Central Florida to Alabama and never wondered what that burning smell was. Her entire engine compartment was covered in oil. She paid to have it steam cleaned (?) and had to have the sound dampening material under the hood replaced. Walmart refunded her oil change.
radioouman
Diamond Member
- Nov 4, 2002
- 8,632
- 0
- 0
Dang I was about to say it... hmm... I don't know check for coupons in your area. I think most places have similar prices, the coupon's going to be the deal maker.
Mermaidman
Diamond Member
- Sep 4, 2003
- 7,987
- 93
- 91
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
I found a good local Subaru mechanic that does oil changes at his cost (which for synthetic is ~$20 bucks). All he asks is that I do all my other maintenance there as well. Works for me, as he's cheaper than the dealer and does a better job.
For the sake of all that is good and holy in this world, do not take your car to Jiffy Lube.
For the sake of all that is good and holy in this world, do not take your car to Jiffy Lube.
Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Not Jiffy Lube, for sure
Find a trustworthy independent garage and pay a few dollars more.
Yeah, indy shop is your best bet.
Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Ask your boyfriend to change your oil for you.
Walmart forgot to put oil in one of my sister's cars after draining it and putting a new filter on. The store gave her $400 to shut her up.
A different Walmart forgot to put the cap back on after filling the car with new oil on my other sister's car. She drove from Central Florida to Alabama and never wondered what that burning smell was. Her entire engine compartment was covered in oil. She paid to have it steam cleaned (?) and had to have the sound dampening material under the hood replaced. Walmart refunded her oil change.
Weird. My Walmart hasn't messed up with my cars . I suppose I'm just the exception to the rule.
I wouldn't exactly blame Walmart or Jiffy Lube. As with anything, it is more about the people than the name on the shop. Though an independent auto shop would go out of business if they did shady, or low quality work. Walmart won't.
I am not sure what you drive, but the cheapest is doing it yourself, and only once a year.
Amsoil
I am not sure what you drive, but the cheapest is doing it yourself, and only once a year.
Amsoil
Yeah, I used to get it done at Walmart all the time at $30 a pop.
Now its about $36 now.
I found a place that change the oil for $10 but you bring your own oil which means less than $30 total.
Now I just do it myself.
If you put synthetic exclusively in your car, you're better off learning how to change it yourself.
Now its about $36 now.
I found a place that change the oil for $10 but you bring your own oil which means less than $30 total.
Now I just do it myself.
If you put synthetic exclusively in your car, you're better off learning how to change it yourself.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,586
- 986
- 126
Originally posted by: marulee
Yeah... it is fairly simple than what people think!
The hardest part is disposing of the old oil. Personally, for this alone I'd rather take my car to a mechanic and pay the $30 they charge.
BTW-I've been taking my car either to the dealer or a trusted local mechanic. I've had enough bad experiences at Jiffy Lube/Walmart/K-mart/you name it chain lube places that I'll never take any vehicle I own to them.
My wife's Lexus goes to the dealership only since they give us a free loaner even for oil changes.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,586
- 986
- 126
You change the oil in your car once a year? :shocked: Remind me to never buy a used car from you!
Dunno bout where you live, but every Advanced Auto & Auto Zone I've been to has free oil disposal. Just bring in your jug(s) and dump them in a huge disposal unit in the back.
OP: if you want more reliability than Jiffy Lube/Wal-Mart (never go to those places), the dealer is a good place to get quality service and the culpability behind it. You pay more, but you pretty much have guaranteed service. While they may fvck it up, because in reality they stick Junior on oil changes, if they fvck it up you have them by the balls (more so than Wal-Mart or Jiffy Lube).
An independent shop is also a good place to go, but do your research (if possible). If you get a bad feeling about a place, don't go there.
P.S. Changing your own oil is cake. The messiest part is replacing the filter, depending on where it is located on the engine. Most cars I've changed the oil on have the oil filter located vertically, so when you pull it off oil does drain down on your hand. Go to Big Lots or an auto store & buy a box of disposable latex stretchy gloves (not medical gloves) if you don't want your hands dirty. With a lot of cars, you can get to the oil drain plug & filter without jacking the car up. If it is tight, drive the car up onto a 1-2" thick piece of scrap wood to give you extra room.
Go to Wal-Mart and get a funnel (for those with shaky hands), drained oil container (plastic container with plugs to fill/drain old oil into it), and the recommended weight oil for your car (read owner's manual). Personally I like Castrol GTX for non-synthetic oil, but a lot of it is just as good as the other as long as you change every 3 months/3,000 miles. Some say you can go to 5,000 miles on regular oil, but let's not get into that debate here. 3/3,000 is a safe amount for regular oil regardless, and oil changes are relatively cheap.
You can get the filter at Wal-Mart if you like, but they carry a lot of Fram and Fram has been proved to be the crappier of all oil filters. Pickup a filter from your dealer (usually not expensive) or Wix/Napa Gold. Purolator is also a decent brand.
Once you get the hang of it, you can be in & out in under 30 minutes with minimal fuss & the satisfaction of having it done right.
IHateMyJob2004
Lifer
- Sep 29, 2004
- 18,656
- 68
- 91
IHateMyJob2004
Lifer
- Sep 29, 2004
- 18,656
- 68
- 91
I change my oil maybe 3 times a year. About 20K miles a year. So, every 7000 miles. It's all it needs. The whole 3000 mile oil change thing is BS used to sell more oil. This has been proven time and time again. Without a dobut, 5000 miles is more than safe. Some studies say 10,000 miles. Get over it. You are wasting your money.
Oh, at about 80K miles now. Only maintenance is maybe a dozen oil changes. NO PROBLEMS. I do plan on taking it in for a big service soon .... but I'm in no rush. Plan to keep it till 105K miles.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter