Average cost of a full synthetic oil change

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your vehicle and protect your engine for the long term is to have regular oil changes performed. If you are buying a new car, you are probably wondering how much an oil change will cost. Oil change prices vary based on a number of factors, but the following guide will give you an idea as to what you should pay.

When to Change Your Oil

It used to be that oil changes were recommended every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever came first. These days, many vehicles are capable of going up to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Accordingly, you should check your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding oil changes and other routine maintenance tasks.

Changing your engine oil more frequently will not provide any additional benefits. So, if you want to save money and provide your vehicle with the best protection possible, stick with the schedule set forth by your manufacturer.

Average Oil Change Prices

The price of an oil change typically varies based upon whether you are using synthetic or conventional oil. For a regular oil change, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 and $75. This leaves the average price lingering at around $46 nationwide.

A full synthetic or synthetic blend oil change will cost slightly more money. The price of a synthetic oil change is anywhere from $45 to $90. As such, the average cost is somewhere around $63.

Factors that Contribute

Why does the cost of an oil change vary so much? A number of things play into the cost of this service. One of the biggest, of course, is labor. Your shop's labor rate will depend on the cost of living in your area, insurance rates, and whether or not they hire certified mechanics.

The amount and type of oil you use will play a role as well. Oil change prices are generally good for 4 quarts of a certain type of oil. Typically, 4 quarts is enough for a passenger sedan; however, a large pickup or SUV could need anywhere from 5 to 7 quarts. This, in turn, would raise the price of the oil change accordingly. You can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $8 for each additional quart of oil.

Vehicles with over 100,000 miles can often benefit from a high-mileage oil. This type of oil contains detergents that remove sludge, along with other additives that help seal leaks. While it can extend the life of your engine, it can also cost between $1 and $2 more per quart than traditional motor oil. Most mechanics recommend this type of oil change for those who are already experiencing some form of minor leak.

Additional Services

Not all oil changes include the same level of service. For example, some vendors will provide additional services, such as: 

●      Topping off fluids

●      Diagnosing a check engine light

●      Checking tire air pressure

●      Inspecting belts and hoses

●      Looking for oil or other leaks

Generally speaking, the more services a shop offers, the higher the cost of an oil change will be. This means that if you want to pay the least amount possible, you should opt for only an oil and filter change. While this may save you money up front, it will not necessarily help you to uncover any other problems you might have with your vehicle. Consequently, you could wind up with bigger repairs later on because you were not proactive.

Add-on Services 

During the course of an oil change, a technician may discover additional services that you could benefit from but that might also cost extra. Here are a few add-on services that might be recommended:

●      Replacing head, tail, or brake light bulbs

●      Changing the air or cabin filter

●      Draining and refilling transmission, brake, or power steering fluid

●      Having fuel injectors cleaned

●      Repairing engine or transmission leaks

Money Well Spent 

An oil change is an investment in the longevity of your vehicle. You can obtain an oil change rather inexpensively, and doing so will also help you prevent future repairs. Use this information as a guide to help you budget for regular oil changes.

When you’re in need of quality oil change service for a great price, be sure to download The Oil Change App! We’ll send out a technician to your location and have you ready to hit the road in 30 short minutes.

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.

The cost of an oil change can range from $20 to $100 at a lube shop (and around $30 to $45 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.

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.)

The cost of an oil change typically includes four to five quarts of oil and an oil filter, plus the shop’s labor charge. The biggest factor in the final price of what you would pay for an oil change is the kind and quality of oil used. The trick is knowing the kind to get and how often to change your oil — which you can find in your owners manual, rather than following the outdated 3,000-mile rule.

Some newer cars require synthetic oil, and if your owners manual specifies that, don’t try to cut corners with conventional. (Using a lower-quality oil could void your warranty, and many shops will refuse to perform the oil change.) Any money you save now will likely be lost in the long run when your engine needs repairs.

If your car doesn’t require synthetic oil, you have a judgment call to make. Synthetic oil can be better for your car, resulting in “less engine wear over the life of the vehicle,” according to a 2017 report by AAA. The price difference between synthetic and conventional oil changes is about $32, on average, at AAA-approved facilities.

You can also go to a dealership to get your oil changed, a particularly appealing option for owners of more specialized vehicles.

A dealer for your car’s brand is more likely to know the ins and outs of your vehicle — such as what kind of oil it needs and any quirks about your model during the oil-change process — which can help prevent mishaps down the road.

In exchange, you give up the convenience factor associated with going to quick lube shops, which are typically easier to find than a brand-specific dealership. You also might pay a premium because the dealer has higher labor costs or uses a special brand of oil. However, dealerships can offer competitive pricing, so it’s worth inquiring to see if going to a dealership makes sense for you.

Dealerships also make sense if you purchased a warranty that includes maintenance (note that most don’t) or a service plan, like Honda’s Service Pass, which covers certain factory-covered maintenance for two years or up to 24,000 miles.

For a mechanic, an oil change is both a good opportunity to find real problems with your car and a chance to sell you something you don’t need, or don’t need yet.

So is it a scam when the oil change technician says you need a new air filter or a transmission flush? Consulting the owners manual and knowing when your car last had the suggested maintenance are the best ways to determine if you’re being upsold.