Geez, oil changes are getting expensive

[hanks73340]

Took our newer car in for an oil change and tire rotation. 45 minutes and $98.84 later. $71 went to labor. The car- 2023 Kia Sportage with 11k miles on it. I miss having my neighbors lift.

 

[PlymCrazy]

We’ve come a long way from the $9.99 specials I’d see advertised on the side of the road sometimes when I was a kid.

 

[Hey-O]

We’ve come a long way from the $9.99 specials I’d see advertised on the side of the road sometimes when I was a kid.

I can still see myself pulling into Texaco on my way to a date for a quick 10 buck oil change. I was doing it myself back then for 5 bucks. Nothing is cheap when you make 16 to 20 dollars an hour to flip burgers these days.......... Worse than that, the dealer knows how many miles are on my car, so why send me oil change ads telling me what a great deal for just over a hundred bucks, when you know it's only been 2000 miles. Saving the plant, one dollar at a time. NOT.

 

[PlymCrazy]

I can still see myself pulling into Texaco on my way to a date for a quick 10 buck oil change. I was doing it myself back then for 5 bucks. Nothing is cheap when you make 16 to 20 dollars an hour to flip burgers these days.......... Worse than that, the dealer knows how many miles are on my car, so why send me oil change ads telling me what a great deal for just over a hundred bucks, when you know it's only been 2000 miles. Saving the plant, one dollar at a time. NOT.

Fresh out of high school I got a job working in a garage. I was 17 years old, the year was 1991. Even then, we did oil changes in that garage for $19.99 and ran specials from time to time for much less. Working there led me to pay a lot more attention to signs in front of other garages, advertising similar services.
Firestone always seemed to have least expensive oil changes in our neck of the woods. They still advertised a $9.99 oil change from time to time during that era IIRC. It was an easy way to get folks in their doors, that’s for sure.

 

[AR67GTX]

I’ve been reading lately about $100 - $150 oil changes lately to at quick service and dealer joints. Part of its a little understandable as many have gravitated to synthetic oil and 8-quart capacities (or more) but it’s still a price shock.

 

[gtxdana]

It used to be I could get an oil change and tire rotation on my 2020 Ram for $35, which was cheaper than I could buy the oil and filter. Then it went to $55 for just the oil change. The last oil change, at 20K miles, was $96 for just the cheap, non-synthetic oil. To top it off, they tried to upsell me air and in-cabin filters for another $250. Both of the filters literally looked brand new. The least they could have done was dig some dirty black filters out of the garbage can to wave in my face if they wanted to steal that extra $250 from me. Needless to say, I'll never be back.

 

[dart4forte]

Of course those oil change deal pertain to carsand light trucks. Diesels are another story. The only rig I yardout for oil changes is my 2007 CTD. I provide the oil (Amsoil 15/40 synthetic and the wix filter). My truck has additional lube points from stock so grease is provided by the shop. I pay $75.00 for the rack time.

 

[68BabyBlue]

During the 16 years I ran the Peterbilt, I watched the price of an oil change and lube go from $265 to over $500. My rates didn't keep pace. I finally had enough and decided to retire. Of course they started catching up at that point. Oil changes in my personal vehicles seemed like pocket change compared to servicing the Pete.

 

[WileE]

Nobody does their own oil change ?

 

[icetech]

Just curious.. why not change your own oil? I do my grand cherokee and it's like $35.. and with the oil filter in the intake it's easier than on my old car..

 

[#41]

Expensive oil changes are a great way to convince your significant other that a lift will pay for itself.

 

[XS22J8R]

I’ve done almost all my own oil changes for the last 40+ years.
When I got my new 6.4 Ram in ‘21 I decided I should get its oil changes done at the dealer so I had a solid record it was done on time, if I should have engine problems at some point and make a warranty claim on it. Also that 0W 40 SRT oil isn’t easy to find.
The dealer charges around $150 for the oil change but has $15 off coupons online I use. Last spring I applied for a Ram branded credit card that offered a $100 cash back if you made a dealer purchase within 30 days of getting the card. And Pennzoil had a $25 rebate offer. So my last Ram oil change at the dealer worked out to be $10 after the rebates!
I got a new Scat Pack last summer which again I have the warranty concern, so just got its oil changed last week in preparation for parking the car for winter, for $135. But that Ram card gives a 5% cash back on CDJR dealer purchases, plus I think I got an email early this month they were doubling the points for dealer purchases this month, so after rebates $120-128 is what I paid.
My beater Dart is about due, it’s in the teens here so I won’t tackle that job this weekend! I hope we don’t get snow soon, and weather warms up to at least 40 to give me the opportunity. Buying 0W-20 Mobil one on sale and filters at Rock Auto it costs me about $35 to change that cars oil.

 

[33 IMP]

I bought oil every time it was on sale, and just stuck it in my mess of a garage. Then one day I put it all in one place, and realized I had a couple hundred quarts (not completely a bad thing, two diesels and one racecar change each will take 37 quarts)
What annoys me is the cost of filters. I think the fuel filter on my pickup is $30, and so is the oil filter for the box truck.
Even doing my own changes, the box runs about $100, just for oil and filter. I'd bet a dealer or oil change place would get $250.

 

[oldbee]

During the 16 years I ran the Peterbilt, I watched the price of an oil change and lube go from $265 to over $500. My rates didn't keep pace. I finally had enough and decided to retire. Of course they started catching up at that point. Oil changes in my personal vehicles seemed like pocket change compared to servicing the Pete.

Lol, memory is going but I think you’re talking over 10gal. of oil +++ 2-3 oil filters each time.
Plus 1/2hr just to hit all the grease fittings!

 

[Dennis H]

Oil change is about the only maintenance required on my modern stuff. When out of town, I bring the Amsoil with permission of the shop. Filter too. $40 labor and get to eyeball it upstairs. Best money ever spent. A&D, Lakeland, Florida. Techs there are enthusiasts and apologize for taking over an hour. I don’t care if it takes all day. They top up tires too. Only thing not done that I do is the inspection tray detail.

 

[cr8crshr]

I used to do all my own oil changes but not that the ol' body isn't what it once was, I now hit up the Valvoline quick oil change for when it needs to be done, They always are trying to up-sell me on filters, tranny flush and radiator flush, etc. I decline always and they still say that the manufacture recommends it to be done...blah blah blah. Nope, not falling for it. I save by bringing my own filter either vehicle name brand or a better one from say Wix etc. Plus, they know I'm a Veteran so I also get a 10% discount which reduces the cost to roughly 62.00, and some change for every change. I miss being able to use the Auto Hobby shops on base where I could do my own up on a lift and a 10.00 shop fee and I had the run of the place...cr8crshr/Bill

 

[QuickBpBp]

I just did 2 of our Trucks last weekend about $100 for the oil and filters. One holds 7.7 quarts and another 7 quarts. As long as I can do it I will. Tires are what went crazy. Getting them this week and the total is $1434 for new tires for my 2500 Ram. I wanted that total cause they now add 3% for debit cards so I will just pay cash to save the $43 plus in additional charges…

 

[Richard Cranium]

I’ve done almost all my own oil changes for the last 40+ years.
When I got my new 6.4 Ram in ‘21 I decided I should get its oil changes done at the dealer so I had a solid record it was done on time, if I should have engine problems at some point and make a warranty claim on it. Also that 0W 40 SRT oil isn’t easy to find.
The dealer charges around $150 for the oil change but has $15 off coupons online I use. Last spring I applied for a Ram branded credit card that offered a $100 cash back if you made a dealer purchase within 30 days of getting the card. And Pennzoil had a $25 rebate offer. So my last Ram oil change at the dealer worked out to be $10 after the rebates!
I got a new Scat Pack last summer which again I have the warranty concern, so just got its oil changed last week in preparation for parking the car for winter, for $135. But that Ram card gives a 5% cash back on CDJR dealer purchases, plus I think I got an email early this month they were doubling the points for dealer purchases this month, so after rebates $120-128 is what I paid.
My beater Dart is about due, it’s in the teens here so I won’t tackle that job this weekend! I hope we don’t get snow soon, and weather warms up to at least 40 to give me the opportunity. Buying 0W-20 Mobil one on sale and filters at Rock Auto it costs me about $35 to change that cars oil.

I’ve been driving since 1975 and I’ve never paid anyone to change my oil.

 

[dadsbee]

Wait 'till you do your REAL car with a Wix filter and Penngrade oil.. LOL

 

[66 Sat]

I actually ENJOY changing the oil on my cars. In October I helped my son do his first oil change on his car, changed the oil on my daily driver, changed the oil on the Plymouth, changed the break-in oil on the new TKX gearbox, it was bliss!