My local Subaru dealer charges $37 for Dino and $59 for Synthetic. I used to get dino. Now I bring my own oil and they charge me $22. Plus every 5th oil change is free. So with Synthetic bought after rebate it costs me roughly ~$31 for a change.
How much do you pay for an oil change?
- Thread starter skylinegtr
- Start date
- Status
Originally Posted By: 38sho
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
Originally Posted By: 38sho
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
My aunt takes It to my shop
she pays 38.95 for castrol gtx and a champ filter. Also top-off all fluids including gear boxes if low. Vacuum,wash windows.battery test, set tire pressure, check all lights,filters,belts and hoses grease any fittings. Takes about twenty min.
[censored] how much do you make off an average oil change ticket, have many repeat customers?
We don't make a lot off a regular oil change. Due to our cost on castrol oil is high. Maybe ten bucks? Most of our money is made in repairs,brake job,diagnostics,smogs. And we have a lot of repeat customers
no not how much profit you make an oil change, whats the average price of an invoice the customer walks out the door when he intially came in for an oil change?
The shop I work at is similar to finalyzd's. We use Kendall GT1 synthetic blend in the correct grade only, Wix filters, check and top off all levels (including 4X4 t-case and differentials), tire pressures and make note of any problems (or potential problems). The average bill is from 45.00-60.00ish depending on what and how much all the fluids were low.
We too have a lot of repeat business. Tons of 5-10 year vets, many customers that have kept coming back for 20+ years. Some in the 30year range and a few old timers in the 40+ range. Our money isn't made on OC's. It's in the repairs- some of which are spotted during the oil changes.
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
Originally Posted By: 38sho
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
My aunt takes It to my shop
she pays 38.95 for castrol gtx and a champ filter. Also top-off all fluids including gear boxes if low. Vacuum,wash windows.battery test, set tire pressure, check all lights,filters,belts and hoses grease any fittings. Takes about twenty min.[censored] how much do you make off an average oil change ticket, have many repeat customers?
We don't make a lot off a regular oil change. Due to our cost on castrol oil is high. Maybe ten bucks? Most of our money is made in repairs,brake job,diagnostics,smogs. And we have a lot of repeat customers
no not how much profit you make an oil change, whats the average price of an invoice the customer walks out the door when he intially came in for an oil change?
The shop I work at is similar to finalyzd's. We use Kendall GT1 synthetic blend in the correct grade only, Wix filters, check and top off all levels (including 4X4 t-case and differentials), tire pressures and make note of any problems (or potential problems). The average bill is from 45.00-60.00ish depending on what and how much all the fluids were low.
We too have a lot of repeat business. Tons of 5-10 year vets, many customers that have kept coming back for 20+ years. Some in the 30year range and a few old timers in the 40+ range. Our money isn't made on OC's. It's in the repairs- some of which are spotted during the oil changes.
Ford dealer charges 30 bucks for the 5w20 blend and 57 bucks for the 5w20 full synthetic.
Monroe is doing $19.99 changes here with Valvoline and I don't know the filter. But it costs me around $25 a change on the Jeep. When I'm home I do oil changes for family and friends for $15 a pop. Quaker State and Parts Master (made by Wix, for $3) filters.
I never get an Oil change without a coupon unless I'm taking one of my cars to Wal Mart to take advantage of their Lifetime rotate and balance tire service. Then I get the SuperTech change for $25. I often do the Firestone Store for $19.99 or even Jiffy Lube for $24.99 with a $10 off coupon. Cheapest I've seen is $10 at a GM dealership on GM cars only, by appt.
My local Chevy dealer charges $15 labor to do my Corvette and I supply the oil and filter.
My local Chevy dealer charges $15 labor to do my Corvette and I supply the oil and filter.
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
This is a really good question. I have never done an oil change myself but have been considering it lately due to poor service and lack of trust of mechanics. When I realized what was involved, I began to see the potential points of failure so became concerned of all the things that could be done incorrectly as well as dishonestly.
So I pulled up the invoice from my independent specialist who did my Lexus oil change for $30 where I supplied the oil and he supplied the filter. This shop is extremely trustworthy and I'm confident that they are doing the job right. The advantages to them doing it are
1) I don't have to touch oil or dispose of it. If I did it myself I would buy one of those valves, but then I still have to dispose of the oil and handle the filter. So there is always the chance of mess and always the need to handle the oil carefully for disposal as well as make the disposal trip.
2) The shop is looking to make money through checks on all sorts of things. Part of these checks are done when the car is raised which means they see things I don't and their experience means they know what to look for. The list of what they checked in an oil change was quite impressive on my invoice, akin to inspection items on a scheduled service. But the good news is that this shop is honest and won't recommend anything that isn't required. In the long term they potentially save me money by preventing more costly things that I wouldn't spot early enough
3) They top up all fluids which again saves me time. I don't have to stock fluids that deterioriate over time eg brake fluid which would cost me money when I can't use them. I even found a reputable oil change place that does free oil top ups.
So while it takes me time to go there and come back, while I am there I do something on the internet. The time it actually takes me is less than doing it myself and disposing of the oil. The labor charge I actually pay is $25. I have a stash of cheap synthetic oil so providing my own actually costs less than using their bulk oil but if I didn't have my own oil, even their charge for good oil is the same as Walmart, which would add more convenience.
My other car costs pretty much the same at a different mechanic and he even rotates the tires within that price. So again for $40 you can get a lot of value at an honest, reliable and competent place. $15 for the parts you would have to source yourself while $25 for labor gets you expertise on preventative maintenance items, fresh fluids topped up and sometimes a tire rotation. I would want an expert looking at my car once or twice a year anyway so getting that plus an oil change, fluids topped up and a rotation is good value.
Lastly, if everyone was as reliable as Jiffy Lube, I probably would do it myself. But I spent a little time to find someone honest and reliable so I find it advantageous to pay for the expertize.
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
This is a really good question. I have never done an oil change myself but have been considering it lately due to poor service and lack of trust of mechanics. When I realized what was involved, I began to see the potential points of failure so became concerned of all the things that could be done incorrectly as well as dishonestly.
So I pulled up the invoice from my independent specialist who did my Lexus oil change for $30 where I supplied the oil and he supplied the filter. This shop is extremely trustworthy and I'm confident that they are doing the job right. The advantages to them doing it are
1) I don't have to touch oil or dispose of it. If I did it myself I would buy one of those valves, but then I still have to dispose of the oil and handle the filter. So there is always the chance of mess and always the need to handle the oil carefully for disposal as well as make the disposal trip.
2) The shop is looking to make money through checks on all sorts of things. Part of these checks are done when the car is raised which means they see things I don't and their experience means they know what to look for. The list of what they checked in an oil change was quite impressive on my invoice, akin to inspection items on a scheduled service. But the good news is that this shop is honest and won't recommend anything that isn't required. In the long term they potentially save me money by preventing more costly things that I wouldn't spot early enough
3) They top up all fluids which again saves me time. I don't have to stock fluids that deterioriate over time eg brake fluid which would cost me money when I can't use them. I even found a reputable oil change place that does free oil top ups.
So while it takes me time to go there and come back, while I am there I do something on the internet. The time it actually takes me is less than doing it myself and disposing of the oil. The labor charge I actually pay is $25. I have a stash of cheap synthetic oil so providing my own actually costs less than using their bulk oil but if I didn't have my own oil, even their charge for good oil is the same as Walmart, which would add more convenience.
My other car costs pretty much the same at a different mechanic and he even rotates the tires within that price. So again for $40 you can get a lot of value at an honest, reliable and competent place. $15 for the parts you would have to source yourself while $25 for labor gets you expertise on preventative maintenance items, fresh fluids topped up and sometimes a tire rotation. I would want an expert looking at my car once or twice a year anyway so getting that plus an oil change, fluids topped up and a rotation is good value.
Lastly, if everyone was as reliable as Jiffy Lube, I probably would do it myself. But I spent a little time to find someone honest and reliable so I find it advantageous to pay for the expertize.
Originally Posted By: Rohan
Originally Posted By: jeepman
I do my own:
Synpower ($1.35/quart), PureOne ($5.00), so works out to about $11 or so per OCI on each car, twice a year.
where do u get those deal from?
O'reilly's had Synpower gallons for $14.99 a few weeks ago, and Valvoline had a $25 rebate for every 2 you bought, so was about $8 after MIR for 2 gallons. I bought 68 quarts for about $92 including postage, etc after the rebates.
Got the filters from Amazon at about $10 average for a 2 pack before the price went up.
Originally Posted By: jeepman
I do my own:
Synpower ($1.35/quart), PureOne ($5.00), so works out to about $11 or so per OCI on each car, twice a year.
where do u get those deal from?
O'reilly's had Synpower gallons for $14.99 a few weeks ago, and Valvoline had a $25 rebate for every 2 you bought, so was about $8 after MIR for 2 gallons. I bought 68 quarts for about $92 including postage, etc after the rebates.
Got the filters from Amazon at about $10 average for a 2 pack before the price went up.
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
Not everyone wants to do it for one thing and on many vehicles it is not "easy". It is messy and a pain( ie; filter )on a lot of vehicles. For a lot of people they do not have anywhere to do it or may not be allowed to work on vehicles as well( ie; renters ). Lots of valid reasons why someone would not want to do their own oil or even can't besides disability.
I used to LOVE working on cars( still do just can't do as much as I once could )but I never got any special joy or excitement out of OC's.
For $10 I can get it changed, not have to crawl around and get dirty or worry about oil spilling on my driveway( filter location STINKS and you can NOT avoid some oil spillage ), they check everything and top off for me, and they get rid of the old oil( which would require me taking it somewhere ).
Here is another point. For me to do everything the dealer does for that $10, and then take the oil somewhere to recycle it, I would easily exceed the hour they take and at times far exceed the $10 just in fluids they use to top off.
Now granted I am sick and really can't do it anymore but even when I could I opted to let someone do it for me. I say to each his own. If you really enjoy doing OCs that is great for you( serious - not sarcastic ). However, I must say I am a little confused as to why you are so amazed not everyone wants to do their own OC's.
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
Not everyone wants to do it for one thing and on many vehicles it is not "easy". It is messy and a pain( ie; filter )on a lot of vehicles. For a lot of people they do not have anywhere to do it or may not be allowed to work on vehicles as well( ie; renters ). Lots of valid reasons why someone would not want to do their own oil or even can't besides disability.
I used to LOVE working on cars( still do just can't do as much as I once could )but I never got any special joy or excitement out of OC's.
Here is another point. For me to do everything the dealer does for that $10, and then take the oil somewhere to recycle it, I would easily exceed the hour they take and at times far exceed the $10 just in fluids they use to top off.
Now granted I am sick and really can't do it anymore but even when I could I opted to let someone do it for me. I say to each his own. If you really enjoy doing OCs that is great for you( serious - not sarcastic ). However, I must say I am a little confused as to why you are so amazed not everyone wants to do their own OC's.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
Not everyone wants to do it for one thing and on many vehicles it is not "easy". It is messy and a pain( ie; filter )on a lot of vehicles. For a lot of people they do not have anywhere to do it or may not be allowed to work on vehicles as well( ie; renters ). Lots of valid reasons why someone would not want to do their own oil or even can't besides disability.
I used to LOVE working on cars( still do just can't do as much as I once could )but I never got any special joy or excitement out of OC's.
For $10 I can get it changed, not have to crawl around and get dirty or worry about oil spilling on my driveway( filter location STINKS and you can NOT avoid some oil spillage ), they check everything and top off for me, and they get rid of the old oil( which would require me taking it somewhere ).
Here is another point. For me to do everything the dealer does for that $10, and then take the oil somewhere to recycle it, I would easily exceed the hour they take and at times far exceed the $10 just in fluids they use to top off.
Now granted I am sick and really can't do it anymore but even when I could I opted to let someone do it for me. I say to each his own. If you really enjoy doing OCs that is great for you( serious - not sarcastic ). However, I must say I am a little confused as to why you are so amazed not everyone wants to do their own OC's.
Right on. A much more succinct post than mine!
To be fair though, in fdcg27's case, he has 6 cars in his sig, so if he does them all at the same time, he probably gains quite a lot vs taking each of them individually to a shop. For him it could be a case of 2 times a year spending 3 hours on 6 cars at home and then 2 trips to dispose of oil, vs 12 trips to dealers taking up about an hour each time.
I agree on the filter mess though. If it were just a case of getting one of those quick drain valves, then it would be a cleaner do it yourself operation, but changing the filter is always going to create a mess. One option might be to use a long life filter and not change it every time, although the filter then would retain old oil, and a long life filter would probably retain more oil than normal.
I also agree on the motivation to do it yourself based on a trust perspective. Fortunately I've found smaller independent shops who I trust.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Unless you are physically incapable of changing your car's oil, why would you pay someone else to do it?
It doesn't save you any time, since an oil an filter change on a vehicle you're familiar with takes no time at all.
This is a really basic service, and it is so satisfying (and easy) to do.
I have owned cars for more than thirty years now, and I have never paid anyone to change oil.
I may someday become physically unable to do it myself, but until then, I'll be laying on my back in the garage every 5-6K or so.
Not everyone wants to do it for one thing and on many vehicles it is not "easy". It is messy and a pain( ie; filter )on a lot of vehicles. For a lot of people they do not have anywhere to do it or may not be allowed to work on vehicles as well( ie; renters ). Lots of valid reasons why someone would not want to do their own oil or even can't besides disability.
I used to LOVE working on cars( still do just can't do as much as I once could )but I never got any special joy or excitement out of OC's.
Here is another point. For me to do everything the dealer does for that $10, and then take the oil somewhere to recycle it, I would easily exceed the hour they take and at times far exceed the $10 just in fluids they use to top off.
Now granted I am sick and really can't do it anymore but even when I could I opted to let someone do it for me. I say to each his own. If you really enjoy doing OCs that is great for you( serious - not sarcastic ). However, I must say I am a little confused as to why you are so amazed not everyone wants to do their own OC's.
Right on. A much more succinct post than mine!
To be fair though, in fdcg27's case, he has 6 cars in his sig, so if he does them all at the same time, he probably gains quite a lot vs taking each of them individually to a shop. For him it could be a case of 2 times a year spending 3 hours on 6 cars at home and then 2 trips to dispose of oil, vs 12 trips to dealers taking up about an hour each time.
I agree on the filter mess though. If it were just a case of getting one of those quick drain valves, then it would be a cleaner do it yourself operation, but changing the filter is always going to create a mess. One option might be to use a long life filter and not change it every time, although the filter then would retain old oil, and a long life filter would probably retain more oil than normal.
I also agree on the motivation to do it yourself based on a trust perspective. Fortunately I've found smaller independent shops who I trust.
Many people living in big cities don't have the space to do it, don't have the place to store the oil drain pan after it is done, and don't want to get busted for doing it in a public parking lot.
WM has a reasonable deal going on right now, $20 for a basic Chassis lube, Oil drain and fill, and filter change.
No carpet vacuuming, no topping off fluids, etc...just the basics.
I hear it's working out good for the customers AND the store(s) themselves....
Quicker service and lower price receipts make the customers happy
BUT, there's always the catch, only covers 5-30 or 10-30 "bulk" Pennzoil (or whatever the store has as their "featured" (bulk) oil but I think most have Pennzoil on tap...)
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Many people living in big cities don't have the space to do it, don't have the place to store the oil drain pan after it is done, and don't want to get busted for doing it in a public parking lot.
I once read on an internet forum (I think it may have been the myspace automotive forums actually....) about a guy with a "lowered" vehicle, took a coupl friends to a quiet street late at night down a quiet street, opened up a manhole (sewer cover sort of deal lol), climbed down there, positioned oil catch pan, drained oil, removed filter, put on new filter, filled oil, and got the job done with 10 minutes
Now, if they got caught.....I'm sure they would get some sort of punishment, but it's kinda funny how far some people will take their maintenance I guess the dude couldn't find a jack "low enough" to jack up the car.....makes me wonder how he drives over speed bumps.....
No carpet vacuuming, no topping off fluids, etc...just the basics.
I hear it's working out good for the customers AND the store(s) themselves....
Quicker service and lower price receipts make the customers happy
BUT, there's always the catch, only covers 5-30 or 10-30 "bulk" Pennzoil (or whatever the store has as their "featured" (bulk) oil but I think most have Pennzoil on tap...)
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Many people living in big cities don't have the space to do it, don't have the place to store the oil drain pan after it is done, and don't want to get busted for doing it in a public parking lot.
I once read on an internet forum (I think it may have been the myspace automotive forums actually....) about a guy with a "lowered" vehicle, took a coupl friends to a quiet street late at night down a quiet street, opened up a manhole (sewer cover sort of deal lol), climbed down there, positioned oil catch pan, drained oil, removed filter, put on new filter, filled oil, and got the job done with 10 minutes
Now, if they got caught.....I'm sure they would get some sort of punishment, but it's kinda funny how far some people will take their maintenance
I guess the dude couldn't find a jack "low enough" to jack up the car.....makes me wonder how he drives over speed bumps.....
Last edited:
I change each car as it hits 4-6K, depending upon what's in it, and the season.
I plan for a decent synthetic in each over the winter, so that if extreme cold makes it desirable to defer an oil change, I can do so with no worries.
I avoid paying others to do work I can do myself.
I also actually find an oil change a relaxing thing to do after a day with my small staff, playing with budgets and bills and purchase orders on a screen, although I do enjoy my job.
I didn't mean to critisize anyone else, although I may have come off that way.
Working on cars is still fun for me, even including doing an oil change.
I have always considered doing one's own work to be part of self-sufficiency, and getting dirty to be a reminder that not everyone gets to sit in a climate controled office manipulating a spreadsheet.
I plan for a decent synthetic in each over the winter, so that if extreme cold makes it desirable to defer an oil change, I can do so with no worries.
I avoid paying others to do work I can do myself.
I also actually find an oil change a relaxing thing to do after a day with my small staff, playing with budgets and bills and purchase orders on a screen, although I do enjoy my job.
I didn't mean to critisize anyone else, although I may have come off that way.
Working on cars is still fun for me, even including doing an oil change.
I have always considered doing one's own work to be part of self-sufficiency, and getting dirty to be a reminder that not everyone gets to sit in a climate controled office manipulating a spreadsheet.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I change each car as it hits 4-6K, depending upon what's in it, and the season.
I plan for a decent synthetic in each over the winter, so that if extreme cold makes it desirable to defer an oil change, I can do so with no worries.
I avoid paying others to do work I can do myself.
I also actually find an oil change a relaxing thing to do after a day with my small staff, playing with budgets and bills and purchase orders on a screen, although I do enjoy my job.
I didn't mean to critisize anyone else, although I may have come off that way.
Working on cars is still fun for me, even including doing an oil change.
I have always considered doing one's own work to be part of self-sufficiency, and getting dirty to be a reminder that not everyone gets to sit in a climate controled office manipulating a spreadsheet.
As one of those people who doesn't do their own oil change, I still understand where you are coming from. I do a lot of things myself also. I change out the air filter and cabin air filter, wash and wax the car, take care of many things around the house and garden. Being self sufficient is enjoyable and usually saves you time and money.
For me it's mainly the reassurance of having an expert look over my car including the complete underside and not having to own multiple top up fluids that would degrade. Also, if I got into choosing my own fluids, I'd get nothing else done if the amount of time I have spent understanding oil is any indication!
I change each car as it hits 4-6K, depending upon what's in it, and the season.
I plan for a decent synthetic in each over the winter, so that if extreme cold makes it desirable to defer an oil change, I can do so with no worries.
I avoid paying others to do work I can do myself.
I also actually find an oil change a relaxing thing to do after a day with my small staff, playing with budgets and bills and purchase orders on a screen, although I do enjoy my job.
I didn't mean to critisize anyone else, although I may have come off that way.
Working on cars is still fun for me, even including doing an oil change.
I have always considered doing one's own work to be part of self-sufficiency, and getting dirty to be a reminder that not everyone gets to sit in a climate controled office manipulating a spreadsheet.
As one of those people who doesn't do their own oil change, I still understand where you are coming from. I do a lot of things myself also. I change out the air filter and cabin air filter, wash and wax the car, take care of many things around the house and garden. Being self sufficient is enjoyable and usually saves you time and money.
For me it's mainly the reassurance of having an expert look over my car including the complete underside and not having to own multiple top up fluids that would degrade. Also, if I got into choosing my own fluids, I'd get nothing else done if the amount of time I have spent understanding oil is any indication!
Last edited:
Nothing as I do it myself.
- Status
Similar threads
