An oil change costs from $20 to $100 at quick lube shops. Check your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t pay for unnecessary add-ons.
Following your car’s maintenance schedule keeps it running like a well-oiled machine — literally, in the case of an oil change. Regularly getting the oil changed is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can do for your car, and fortunately, it’s one of the cheapest.
How Much Does An Oil Change Cost?
The cost of an oil change can range from $20 to $100 at a lube shop (and around $30 to $75 if you do it yourself). The large difference in prices can be attributed to a number of factors, including:
- Your car’s year, make, and model: Manufacturers may recommend using a specific (and more expensive) type of oil for a luxury car, for example, while larger vehicles will require more than the typical four to five quarts of oil used in an oil change.
- The type of oil used: At the higher end, full synthetic oil has more additives to protect a car’s engine. Conventional oil is the cheapest, and in the middle are synthetic blends: mixtures intended to provide some benefits of synthetic oil at a lower price.
- Your location: Where you live can impact the cost of an oil change, which includes a labor charge. If you’re in an area with a higher cost of living, expect to pay more for the service. Prices can even vary at different locations of the same chain shop in the same city.
Oil change prices at chain shops
Most chains offer coupons to help cut prices, which can result in significant savings. Before heading to a lube shop, look for discounts online or call ahead to inquire about any deals.
Here’s a quick look at major oil-change chains’ prices, before special offers. (Remember: Prices will likely vary depending on where you are.
| Company | Price range* |
| Express Oil Change | $44.99-$76.99 |
| Firestone | $46-$96 |
| Goodyear | $30.99-$95.99 |
| Jiffy Lube | $45.99-$89.99 |
| Meineke | $35-$65 |
| Midas | $39.99-$89.99 |
| Pep Boys | $34.99-$99.99 |
| SpeeDee | $29.99-$89.99 |
| Take 5 Oil Change | $49.99-$93.99 |
| Valvoline | $45.99-$95.99 |
| Walmart | $22.88-$52.88 |
*Prices are based on online listings and Chicago-area provider quotes via phone. The bottom of each range is the cost of a conventional oil change; the top is the cost using full synthetic oil. These prices may vary by location.
Why does the Cost of an Oil Change Vary?
As for cost, as with most auto maintenance and repairs, it depends. Your owner’s manual lists the required oil viscosity (the thickness of the oil), the engine’s oil capacity, whether your vehicle takes conventional or synthetic oil, and exactly how often to change your oil.
These are the key factors that affect the cost of an oil change, and they vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, and some engines hold a lot more oil than others.
For example, a first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata’s little four-cylinder engine needs about 3.4 quarts of oil, while the 3.0-liter diesel-powered engine in a classic W123-generation Mercedes-Benz 300D demands between seven and eight quarts.
Along with the cost of the golden slippery stuff, you’ll need to fork over enough cash for an oil filter and labor.
DIY and Save
Of course, if you’re even modestly mechanically inclined and have the tools and time, lay down some cardboard, drop the drain plug, and get greasy! Changing your own oil might be the least intimidating way to start learning how to work on a car, and in most cases shouldn’t take more than an hour. Plus, you’ll save on labor, since you’re only paying for the oil itself and associated oil filter.
Why Change Your Oil
What you don’t want to do is ignore the need for oil and filter changes. If you do that, your oil could slowly turn into petroleum sludge, fail to flow through the engine, and cause the engine to fail. That could virtually total your automobile.
What’s more likely is that the oil lubricating your engine will lose some of its all-important lubricity and accelerate wear on the engine’s internals.
Clean, fresh oil minimizes friction, avoids wear-accelerating metal-on-metal contact between the mechanical bits spinning around inside, and can even help your fuel economy. And even good-running vehicles can burn off slight amounts of oil over time.
Avoid oil changes long enough, and you may run your oil level dangerously low, imperiling the engine.
How often should you change your oil?
In addition to managing your auto loan and maintaining insurance, regular maintenance like, oil changes, is crucial to car ownership.
Changing your car’s oil when recommended is key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Failing to keep up with regular oil changes can result in engine damage and, eventually, even engine failure.
In some cases, your car warranty may only remain in effect if you keep up with preventative maintenance. Though mechanics once advised changing a vehicle’s oil every 3,000 miles, improved automotive technology and newer oil formulas mean longer intervals.
Many newer cars can easily go between 7,500 and 10,000 miles or more between oil changes. Synthetic oil does not break down as easily as conventional oil, meaning it can generally go longer before being changed — sometimes up to 12,000 miles.
FAQs.
How much is an oil change? What’s the synthetic vs conventional oil price?
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.
Some people are handy and have the time and tools to replace their own oil and filter. (If that’s not you – no problem!) Five quarts of conventional oil and a new filter will set you back around $30 depending on where you live. For synthetic motor oil and a new filter, it’ll cost around $45 plus tax. Consult your local auto parts store for actual prices.
What’s included in an oil change service?
During an oil change, the technician will remove the drain plug from the bottom of the oil pan and gravity does its thing: the oil drains out completely into a catch pan so it can be properly discarded.
Note: If you’re changing your oil yourself, never dump your oil randomly! From there, the technician will replace the drain plug, change the oil filter and fill the engine with the correct amount of oil. (Most engines take about 5 quarts.)
It’s worth noting that, although an oil change is a simple service, it often makes sense to go to the dealer. Nobody knows your vehicle better than your local dealership service department.
Not only have they undergone specific training about your car, truck or SUV, they’re in the best position to advise you about other repairs, maintenance items and even open safety recalls affecting your vehicle.
How Much Oil Does My Car Need?
The truth is, it depends on what kind of vehicle you have. In the past, almost all cars and trucks required five quarts of oil for an oil change. But now, with the greater range of engines found in modern vehicles, that number can range from four quarts to 10 quarts or more.