Honest Reviews

How to Save on Oil Change. Is DIY Really Worth It?


Oil Change Offer

As long as you have a car, oil change is a part of life, and an important one. Car maintenance is one of the best things we can do for ourselves if we are serious about saving money in a long run for obvious reasons. Oil changes are usually not too expensive, but there are still tricks to know for getting the best deal because every little bit helps. So let’s take a look at those ways of saving:

  • How often should you get oil change?

Oil changing companies will tell you that you need to come back for your next change in 3,000 miles. This is far from the truth as most cars require oil change every 7,500 – 10,000 miles. To be safe, check your car owner’s manual. You can always come back for a top-off if you feel that oil is running low and completely change it a lot less often than every 3,000 miles. By doing this you will save up to 50%.

Local Oil and Lube Place

  • Can you find oil change coupons?

You will definitely find local oil and lube coupons in your paper or free weekly ads. Those coupons can lower your oil change price to as little as $15, so never go without looking for them first. This again can save you up to 50%. The companies that have online coupons for you to find and show them while the work is being done:

  • Pep Boys
  • Jiffy Lube
  • Firestone
  • Oil Can Henry’s

Instant Oil Change Coupon

 

  • Can Groupon help?

Groupon features great deals for oil change all the time. You can easily get the entire oil changing procedure done for just $9.99. As it turns out, Groupon is a lot more serious than just fun and entertainment, so always check it out.

Oil Change Coupon

When I visited Valvoline near me I asked them directly: Do you have any coupons? They told me they used to give their customers $10 off oil change coupons but they don’t do that anymore. “If you want coupons, go online and download current coupons, check your mailbox for Money Mailer or Valpack or the easiest way is to to buy Groupon. Why? We have no idea. We just follow the instructions from the main office. So to make things easier, I just bought Valvoline oil change on my Groupon app.

 

Groupon Coupons:

  • 10% OFF Car and Automotive Deals
  • 20% OFF Local Deals
  • $10 OFF Your Purchase

 

  • Should you get an oil change at the dealership?

Some people might not want to hear it, but there are times when you should take your car to other places, not the dealership. Yes, most serious repairs are done best at the dealership, you should always get your engine fixed there, but little maintenance jobs, like an oil change, are way overpriced by dealers. Going to your local oil and lube place will save you a good chunk of money.

Instant Oil Change Service

 

  • Should you get any add-ons with your service?

Nobody has ever been to an oil change place that didn’t insist on changing a bunch of other things, like air filters. They will up-sell you in no time if you won’t keep track of what your car actually needs. Don’t forget that you can always tell them “maybe next time”.

Auto Service

 

  • Should you attempt a DIY oil change?

While many of us love the idea of doing things ourselves, enjoying the fruit of our labor, and saving a ton of money in the process, we recommend staying away from changing car oil yourselves. This is simply because you won’t gain anything financially and will create extra problems for yourselves.

The price of oil itself and its filter is not a very big deal, just about $30-$45 and $10 respectively, but it’s only the beginning. You also need to calculate an upfront investment ($20 oil drain pan, $35 car jack stands, $250 jack, funnel, towels, and rubber gloves) and the cost of disposing of the old oil safely. And then there is your time that could be spent for better things than learning the oil change trade secrets. Finally, you will most definitely make a mess and might even put your life in danger if the car drops on you.

Mibil Mart Auto Service

All of those things might be worth to you if the savings would justify all your hard labor and tools, but as we know, with coupons you can get an oil change done for as little as $15. Case closed.