Cheapism examined prices at five popular locations for an oil change: Valvoline Instant Oil Change (Firestone Complete Auto Care), Jiffy Lube, and Pep Boys. Walmart also has its Auto Care Centers. We also looked at convenience and savings as well as other maintenance services available at these top shops. We compared oil change prices from local mechanics and car dealerships to determine how much it would be.
The Winner: Walmart
Some oil changes do not include tire pressure checks or other services. Walmart is the best place to get a basic oil change at a price comparable to DIY, without the time and effort required.
Trusted local mechanics may be the best option if you are willing to pay slightly more than Walmart’s low prices. We found that the prices quoted by the independent shop were less than those for quick change services. Many reviews, both from experts and consumers, suggest that while the convenience of the chain stores may be a disadvantage, the quality of local mechanics’ service is more than worth it.
Full-Service Oil Change Prices
Other services
Most shops offer more than just an oil change. There are many other services available, from basic maintenance to complete auto repairs. The quality of additional work can also vary in terms of cost. You should think twice about accepting additional services unless you are working with a mechanic or service provider that you trust. Jiffy Lube University is a training facility for technicians and requires them to complete intensive training. If you feel under pressure, it’s a good idea to move your business elsewhere.Pep Boys and Walmart are both parts stores. They usually quote service prices on the assumption that you have purchased replacement parts. If that is not the case, they may charge an additional fee or refuse to provide service. Many offer free installation for items such as batteries and wiper blades.
Prices at outlets that focus on service (like Jiffy Lube or Valvoline), usually include the price of the part. However, the quote almost always only includes the starting price. Upgrades and cars that require more frequent servicing can lead to a higher bill, sometimes quite substantial.
Jiffy Lube
| Engine Air Filter Repair | $20 |
| Cabin Air Filter Repair | $55 |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $12 ea. |
| Wiper Blade Replacement | $16 ea. |
| Tire Rotation | $22 |
| Battery Replacement | $140 |
Valvoline
| Engine Air Filter Repair | $25 |
| Cabin Air Filter Repair | $50 |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $13 ea. |
| Wiper Blade Replacement | $15 ea. |
| Tire Rotation | $30 |
| Battery Replacement | $150 |
Pep Boys
| Engine Air Filter Repair | $27 |
| Cabin Air Filter Repair | $18 + parts |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $3 ea. + Parts |
| Wiper Blade Replacement | All orders qualify for free |
| Tire Rotation | No cost |
| Battery Replacement | $15 + parts |
Firestone
| Engine Air Filter Repair | $20 |
| Cabin Air Filter Repair | $21 + parts |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $13 ea. + Parts |
| Wiper Blade Replacement | $3 ea. + Parts |
| Tire Rotation | $21 |
| Battery Replacement | $28 + parts |
Walmart
| Engine Air Filter Repair | All orders qualify for free |
| Cabin Air Filter Repair | $10 + parts |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $8 ea. + Parts |
| Wiper Blade Replacement | $10 ea. |
| Tire Rotation | $10 |
| Battery Replacement | Purchase or purchase to get a free gift |
* Only oil and filter; does not include startup supplies
Walmart offers nationwide pricing for the Pit Crew service, which is cheaper than other services, and a Lube Services package that’s more comparable to those offered by competitors. Other quotes were sourced from western Ohio auto service centers, which is a representative market. The sample vehicles we used were a 2015 Honda Civic, and a 2016 Ford Escape. Prices can vary depending on the car model and in different areas.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
It used to be easy to get an oil change. There were few options for oil changes. The cost of service was $20 to $25 every three or four months. Things are much more complex today. There are many options for car owners who don’t want to do the job themselves. There are many popular regional and national chains that offer quick oil changes, in addition to your local mechanic. Many auto-parts shops offer basic maintenance services and go beyond the sale of supplies. Even big-box retailers like Walmart have entered the oil changing business.It is a good idea to call ahead before you have an oil change. Only Walmart, out of all the chain we looked at, posts their national pricing online. Prices will vary depending on what type of car you have and what oil you use. Some cars, such as European and exotic models, can be difficult to service. There are many screws and bolts to remove from the panels, which can lead to higher costs. You may pay more for your service if you have a cartridge filter instead of the “spin-on” steel oil filters that are more common. These filters can be referred to as “eco oil filters” as they’re less metal-intensive and easier to dispose of.
Remember that a standard oil change usually includes 5 quarts, but larger vehicles require 8 quarts for a Chevy Silverado. If your vehicle needs additional oil, expect to pay more. You can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per quart depending on what oil is used at Valvoline. If your vehicle requires less oil than the 5 quarts, you won’t get a discount.
The price of synthetic oil, synthetic blends and high-mileage oils, which may be required to meet specific car needs or manufacturer’s recommendations, is higher than traditional, organic motor oil. Most new cars and later-model cars come with synthetic oil from the factory. Some manufacturers allow you to use any oil that meets the recommendations for oil weight and viscosity. Others require you to use synthetics only. Use of non-factory-specified oils can potentially void your car’s warranty.) Full synthetic oils are more resistant to breaking down than conventional oils, which extends their useful life by extending it from the standard 3,000 miles to 7,500 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes. Synthetics are often more economical than conventional oil, or less expensive over time.
It is essential to change the oil filter when changing vehicle’s oil. There are many types of filters. For a standard oil change, a basic oil filter will work well. However, for synthetic oil, especially if you intend to exceed the change intervals, a better filter with finer filtration is the best choice.
Most oil changes include changing the oil and replacing the filter. Some oil change services also include a chassis oil, a fluid, and a tire-pressure check. However, this can vary. Some oil change services include topping off fluids, rotating tires, cleaning exterior windows and vacuuming floors.
How Much Is an Oil Change?
Coupons and other special offers may reduce the cost of services but you should expect to pay about $20 to $100 depending on which oil is used. Walmart was voted the best place to get a cheap oil change in our survey. Walmart’s Pit Crew oil change is affordable at just $20 per day. It includes 5 quarts Quaker State Advanced Durability motor oil (5W-20 or 5W-30), and an oil filter, as well as a tire pressure adjustment, a chassis lube, an oil filter, and an oil filter. Walmart’s Lube Services oil-change package, which costs $10 more, substitutes Quaker State Advanced Durability conventional oil with a “featured” oil. It also adds fluid checks and top-offs, vacuuming, and other functions. This service is comparable to a traditional oil change at major chains, but it’s still much cheaper than others: Although Firestone matches this price, other locations will charge between $40 and $50.Walmart oil prices for full synthetic motor oil (45$) and synthetic blend/high mileage oil (36$) drop Well The prices are lower than the retail prices, particularly for full synthetic changes. Jiffy Lube, Valvoline and Valvoline are more expensive than Firestone ($94 and $100 respectively). Firestone charges $70 for its basic “Gold”, full-synthetic oil service, while Walmart charges 36% less.
The local garage gave us an oil change price quote that was lower than the average. It also quoted $35 for a standard oil change, which beat all other national chains. A high-mileage oil change could be had for $35 less, which would make it even more affordable than bargain-basement Walmart. Although our mechanic could not beat Walmart’s full-synthetic oil changes by charging $20 more than Walmart, it cost $5 less than Firestone’s Gold service, which is relatively inexpensive.
Although the dealership was more costly than the local mechanic or many chains we visited — and there may not be an option for a traditional oil change as with the Honda dealership that we spoke to — it was still very competitive. The $59 we were quoted for a high-mileage/synthetic blend oil change bested both Jiffy Lube and Valvoline.
Dealerships and mechanics will often lower their oil change prices in order to attract customers. This is so that they can return to the shop when there’s a major problem. If you’re looking to reduce your losses, oil changes can be a great option. A dealership is a good choice for those who want to make sure they are following manufacturer’s specifications. Dealership mechanics will have a deep understanding of your car and can avoid any potential problems down the line. Chain service centers are known for hiring people who have no prior experience in automotive maintenance or repair. We read many stories about oil spillages, overfills and leaks as well as those who had their plugs replaced or neglected.
You may also be eligible for free oil changes and regular maintenance if your vehicle is still under warranty. Be aware of potential upsells in this environment, where dealers may feel more inclined to sell additional services than usual due to lower sales. Note: The warranty cannot be voided by a manufacturer if the vehicle was serviced outside of a dealer. Keep receipts so that you can prove regular maintenance was done.
Oil Change Coupons and Deals
Although Walmart seems to have won our survey based upon its walk-up pricing, it is difficult to determine where customers will find the best deal every. Discounting is a common practice in the oil-change business. Every outlet, from the biggest national chain to the local mechanic, offers some kind of special deal to attract customers. For example, we saw coupons and special offers from chains like Pep Boys, where customers could get 25% off conventional and high-mileage/synthetic blend oil change packages, and Firestone had a coupon for a $25 standard oil change. Jiffy Lube informed us that we could save half the cost of an oil change on a second vehicle. Local dealership had one of the most amazing deals, offering a $50 full synthetic oil change, which dropped its price to less than half of what it costs at Walmart.It is more difficult to gauge the prices of specialty chains. Jiffy Lube, for example, is a sole franchise operation while Valvoline operates a mixture of franchises and company-owned locations. Both companies allow their outlets some latitude when setting prices, based on the costs and competition in each area. Our survey prices were representative of the local market and pulled from multiple locations. However, there was a lot of price variation between stores. We also found that chains often offer specials on both the national and local level. Coupon for Valvoline oil changes For $7, get a full-service synthetic or synthetic blend change. This discount is available from certain franchise owners. One Jiffy Lube coupon for oil change The Signature Service offered a $10 discount, but only at certain locations. Pep Boys’ Carlife Rewards program was once able to offer money-saving perks for loyal customers. However, the program has been in hiatus since September 2020. The company promises to offer new programs in 2021, so keep an eye on them.
For promotions, don’t forget about checking your mail for circulars.
Locations and Convenience
Many times, the location is more important than the quality of work or any specials that might be offered. Although not all Walmart stores have an auto center, there are many. There are more than 2,500 across the country. Jiffy Lube, which has over 2,000 locations across the country, is next. Firestone Complete Auto Care, which has more than 1,700 locations, is close behind. Pep Boys and Valvoline Instant Auto Change are less common. Valvoline operates in less than 1200 stores and is represented in 47 states. Pep Boys, however, has more than 1,000 locations and is present in 36 states.Many dealerships and chains will allow you to drive in for an oil change with out the need for an appointment. You will most likely need to schedule an appointment with your local mechanic for an oil change. Pep Boys and Firestone both recommend making an appointment, but you can also schedule one online. Firestone’s tip: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to bring in your car.
Express Oil & Tire Engineers is a great option if you are really tight on time. Although it only has 301 locations, it was included in our survey of national chains. However, it is very popular in the South. They offer 10-minute oil changes and welcome walk-ins. Valvoline Instant Oil Change was the fastest of all the chains that we evaluated. Customers can walk in and get an oil change at the drive-thru location. The entire process should take about 15 minutes.
Pep Boys now offers a completely contactless service for those who are concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic. xid:fr1663750487646ghj”>Touchless Drop-Offs can make appointments online and leave keys in designated drop boxes. After service is completed, customers are contacted to collect their vehicle and keys. They are then returned clean and sealed in a plastic bag. Crew members disinfect the door handles and other surfaces of the vehicle. Bills can also be paid remotely via mobile pay. This peace of mind can be priceless for some.
How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Oil Yourself?
Are you still thinking about doing your own oil change? There are many online guides, and YouTube videos that will help you. You will likely find clear instructions in your owner’s manual. Is DIY worth the effort? It all depends on how much time you have and what quality products you put in your car.Take the cheapest conventional oil change at Walmart: it costs just $20 Quaker State Advanced Durability5W-20 is the oil used for this service. Costs about $16 per 5 quarts Other viscosities can be a bit more expensive. You will need to pay about $4 for a basic oil filter such as an a FRAM Extra Guard You’d pay about the same price as having Walmart’s “pit crew” do it for you. You can also get a variety of oil change services at a fraction of the cost, thanks to the discounts available.
However, due to the high cost of synthetic and blended oil, you might be able to shop for and maintain your vehicle yourself. A 2015 Honda Civic equipped with 0W-20 full-synthetic motor oil would need 3.9 quarts (or $27 for a 5-quart) of oil. An oil filter like the Mobil1 Extended Performance M1110A ($10) is also required. The DIY oil change cost is approximately $36. An equivalent synthetic blend would run about $10 less. These are prices that most service shops would struggle to match. However, if you took your vehicle to a professional — especially a dealership — they would most likely perform other maintenance checks that either you would be responsible for, or you would have to pay a la carte. As an example, tire rotation is included in the price for an oil change at Pep Boys and would cost $10 ($2.50 each tire) at Walmart.
You will need additional supplies if you have never changed your oil. A pair of ramps that are designed for specific purposes to raise your car to drain old oil will be the most costly. Although most ramps are now made from plastic, there are still steel ramps. You can get a set of RhinoGear RhinoRamps, which are popular brands and are rated for vehicles upto 12,000 pounds gross weight. They cost around $50. A funnel, an oil-filter wrench, and an oil pan to collect the oil will be required. The cost of these items is around $25 to $35, with more expensive options. The total cost of these tools is approximately $65-75 and higher.
If you feel it is worth it to get your hands dirty, recycle the oil filter and old oil. These items are accepted by many recycling programs, as well as auto-parts shops and service centers. You could face a heavy fine if you fail to recycle oil in certain areas.