How Much Is an Oil Change?
An oil change costs from $30 to $100 at quick lube shops. Be prepared with your car's make, model, model year, trim level and engine size when requesting quotes.
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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.
How much does an oil change cost?
The cost of an oil change can range from about $30 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.
on CarShield's website
on Endurance's website
on Premier Auto Protect's website
Oil change prices at chain shops
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.)
Company | Price range* |
|---|---|
Firestone | $46.09-$87.22. |
Goodyear | $45.99-$98.99. |
Jiffy Lube | $57.99-$104.99. |
Meineke | $34.95-$74.95. |
Pep Boys | $45.00-$100.00. |
SpeeDee | $56.99-$82.99. |
Take 5 Oil Change | $50.00-$105.00. |
Valvoline | $50.99-$99.99. |
Walmart | $26.88-$58.88. |
Midas | Two different locations would not provide a price range by phone. |
*Prices are based on online prices (Goodyear, Walmart and Pep Boys) and quotes by phone in the Indianapolis area. The Speedee quote is the Charlotte, NC area. The bottom of each range is the cost of a conventional oil change; the top is the cost using full synthetic oil. All are for sedans that can use either type of oil (up to 5 quarts). These prices may vary by location. | |
Nerdy Perspective
Collecting oil change prices from various providers was in some cases very easy and in others a challenge. Goodyear, Walmart and Pep Boys provide prices on their websites. While it's possible the price could change when you take your car in, at least the online pricing provides an idea of cost. From there, I called two locations for each brand in the Indianapolis area. SpeeDee does not operate in Indiana, so I called locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is similar in population. SpeeDee's automated phone system gave me oil change prices without needing to wait on a human. All other companies required me to talk to a person, who in most cases asked me additional questions about the vehicle to provide a more exact price. In some cases, prices given by locations of the same chain varied slightly. I found Meineke and Midas to be the most difficult in getting a price over the phone. I ended up calling four Meineke locations, and only one would give me a price for conventional oil, stating that the car manufacturer recommends full synthetic. While that is true, I was using an older make and model that can use either. Two Midas locations would not provide pricing by phone at all and pushed for me to bring my vehicle in for an accurate quote.
Conventional vs. synthetic
The cost of an oil change typically includes four to five quarts of oil and an oil filter, plus the shop’s labor charge. Some may include other services, like a tire rotation. The biggest factor in the final price you pay for an oil change is the kind and quality of oil used. Consult your owners manual to determine the type of oil that can be used in your vehicle.
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. The average price difference between synthetic and conventional oil changes, using the price ranges we gathered, is about $44.
You can also save on oil change expenses by not automatically following the outdated 3,000-mile rule. Again, check your owners manual to see how far your specific car can go before it needs an oil change.
Lube shops vs. dealerships
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 that covers certain factory-covered maintenance for a set period of time.
Avoiding the upsell
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.