Today, you have many things (too many things!) vying for your time and attention. But remember, to accomplish everything on your to-do list, you depend on your vehicle. One of the most important things you can do to help keep it running smooth is preventive maintenance, including oil changes. Looking at your jam-packed calendar, you naturally want to know: “How long does an oil change take?”
An oil change at Quick Lube shops can take 15 minutes or less, from the moment your service begins and the hood of your vehicle goes up, to the completion of the service and the hood going down!
On this page, we’ll discuss the oil change process and what to look out for if you don’t know when your last oil change was. Continue reading to learn more or skip to scheduling your oil change right here!
How Long Does an Oil Change Take?
Having an oil change completed is an easy commitment. Typically, an oil change takes about 30-45 minutes.
The process includes draining out the existing oil and changing the oil filter, then placing new oil into the engine. After this has been completed, Technicians inspect the engine briefly to make sure everything looks right. He’ll also check the fluid levels, including coolant, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid and top them off if necessary.
The duration of an oil change depends on several factors. Are you changing your own oil or taking it to a shop? Oil change professionals, especially those at “quick lube” shops, change oil every day and are generally good at changing oil quickly; but you might take a little bit longer if you’re changing oil yourself, especially if you only do this as often as is needed by your vehicle.
If you take your vehicle to a quick lube shop and can be seen immediately, the process can take as little as 15 minutes. Longer estimates typically account for wait time due to customer backlog: the other customers who scheduled their service or got there before you did.
A repair shop may take a bit longer, so expect a wait time between 30 and 45 minutes at these locations. Finally, DIY oil changes typically take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on your tools, experience, and garage setup.
Another factor is what kind of car you drive. Many cars have oil drain plugs and filters that are easily accessible on the bottom of the vehicle, but not all cars do. If your car’s plug is less accessible, it might be a bit more difficult and time-consuming.
How long does an oil change take if you do it yourself?
Quick answer: probably longer than 45 minutes. Let’s say you perform your own oil change. That means you would likely do just four oil changes in a year.
Here’s something else that makes a do-it-yourself oil change take longer: disposing of the used oil. Just dumping it is not only bad for the environment but also illegal. So, do-it-yourselfers need to collect the dirty, used oil and safely transport it to a recycling or disposal center.
When you consider that it will likely take you longer to perform an oil change and that your time is valuable, you may decide that the money you save by handling your oil change yourself isn’t worth it.
Related Post: How To Change Car Engine Oil? In Simple Step
When to Change Your Oil?
Every car is different, but most should have their oil changed every 3,000 miles or three months. New vehicles usually require a change of oil every 6,000 miles or six months. Check your owner’s manual for specific guidelines.
Every manufacturer has different specifications for when an oil change should be performed. It’s important to keep an eye on the odometer or the oil monitoring technology that many vehicles offer. You can also call on your owner’s manual to find out when your car may need an oil change.
Following are some things to look for when driving if you’re not sure of the last time an oil change was performed:
- Loud clanging sound in the engine.
- Oil smell inside the car.
- More frequent trips to fill up at the pump.
A frequent, loud engine noise is the most common symptom. Clean oil keeps the engine running the way it should. If the oil isn’t changed, the engine will make noises because it isn’t being properly lubricated by clean oil. We’ll be happy to offer an oil change, so your car runs smoothly once more.
What Happens If I Don’t Change My Oil?
Changing your oil frequently helps extend the lifetime of your engine and other components. Like most people, you’ve probably run your vehicle for several hundred miles past the recommended point. What happens if you don’t change your oil exactly on schedule? While occasionally pushing past the recommended interval may not be noticeable, over time it can have adverse effects.
Old oil becomes opaque and dark black, and causes sludge to build up in your engine. Over time, it can create friction points, clog components, and cause engine seizure. While this is an extreme situation, it’s important to keep your oil new, clean, and ready to properly lubricate all the moving components in your engine.