What are you paying for an oil change?

[Gangly]

23 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I get a kick out of people saying they ain’t going to do my oil change like it’s something really hard. My first job for my father was changing oil and greaser for heavy equipment. He had 20 on one job. D-8s, TS-24s we’re some of the big ones. I was doing those before I change oil in my first cars. The change guy at the dealership probably change more oil in one day than most people do in a lifetime. I think they have it down. I did my own until I was about 40. Then I figured it wasn’t worth it. 26 years later never a problem. I get 4 vehicles done a year. The 10-15-20 dollars extra I gladly pay.

KARNUT  I think what you are saying is exactly why people get nervous.  

 

I agree, its the most simple and mind-numbing task you can do on a vehicle, and that's what scares me the most.  Give an 19-20 year old rookie tech, straight out of UTI, a wrench and let them change oil day in and day out, and I guarantee your gonna start having stripped oil drain plugs or over/under filled oil capacities because of a lack of focus and care over time.  I'm not saying there are no good, young, focused techs, but a majority of them aren't and I've been on the wrong end of that in the past.  It wont happen again. 

 

Sounds funny, but I would rather have a dealership do the more intricate work on my vehicle simply because you generally get a more accomplished tech, whose been there a few years and is committed to that career path, and has shown they are capable of doing good work.   The easy tasks (oil changes and tire rotations) that have young, unaccomplished techs doing boring and monotonous work, scare me more than anything.

 

Again, If I had to have the heads pulled to replace the lifters, that's something I could do over a weekend but I would prefer to have a dealership handle that work specifically because the tech doing that work will most likely be an accomplished technician.  Its the menial tasks being performed over and over again by a bored beginner that worries the heck out of me.

[Gangly]

2 hours ago, GN2018 said:

Thanks for the info.  Maybe they’ll run some specials in the future that I can grab.  Otherwise I’ll look to see if the dealer will run some specials.  Once I get my tires replaced I’ll take it to Discount Tire for rotations.  I don’t feel right taking advantage of their good nature though I know they’d do it.  I’ve worked with them a few times. 

All of my vehicles are "shoed" by Discount so I don't mind taking my vehicles to them for tire rotations, but I see your point and I would probably feel guilty as well.   I hope you find a happy medium for what you are searching for, good service and a warm fuzzy feeling for said service is a great feeling when it happens, good luck!

[KARNUT]

16 minutes ago, Gangly said:

KARNUT  I think what you are saying is exactly why people get nervous.  

 

I agree, its the most simple and mind-numbing task you can do on a vehicle, and that's what scares me the most.  Give an 19-20 year old rookie tech, straight out of UTI, a wrench and let them change oil day in and day out, and I guarantee your gonna start having stripped oil drain plugs or over/under filled oil capacities because of a lack of focus and care over time.  I'm not saying there are no good, young, focused techs, but a majority of them aren't and I've been on the wrong end of that in the past.  It wont happen again. 

 

Sounds funny, but I would rather have a dealership do the more intricate work on my vehicle simply because you generally get a more accomplished tech, whose been there a few years and is committed to that career path, and has shown they are capable of doing good work.   The easy tasks (oil changes and tire rotations) that have young, unaccomplished techs doing boring and monotonous work, scare me more than anything.

 

Again, If I had to have the heads pulled to replace the lifters, that's something I could do over a weekend but I would prefer to have a dealership handle that work specifically because the tech doing that work will most likely be an accomplished technician.  Its the menial tasks being performed over and over again by a bored beginner that worries the heck out of me.

Two of the dealers I go to you can watch, they use TQ wrenches. The third place I can watch them outside. I buy all my tires from discount going on at least 30 years. I didn’t know until recently they would rotate all tires for free and add air for free. 

Edited April 1, 2022 by KARNUT

[GN2018]

2 hours ago, seamus2154 said:

He doesnt care. 

 

"I don’t care about how easy it is or why you doi it, I’m not going to do my own oil changes."

 

He is just trying to save 20 dollars.......

 

Not exactly.  I’m trying to find a quality shop.  I don’t mind, and I recognize, that will not be the least expensive option.  I’m trying to save about $20 off what I believe was a price pretty high on the spectrum.  I was, however happy with their work.  That’s a good start.

 

FWIW, I’ve done oil changes before.  I’ve done a lot of repair/maintenance work in my life.  At this point, I’m just not willing to do it.  I’m just over 60 years old and while I’m still capable, I’m not at all interested.  I do, however, still perform some of the basic items.  I replace wipers and filters (cabin and engine).  I check and top off my fluids.  I keep my truck clean and even hand wash it in the summer (only spray it in the winter).  No auto wash.  So, it’s just a matter of where I save my money and what I’m willing to do.  Balance.

[Acpantera]

8 hours ago, GN2018 said:

I have the 5.3L.  I finished with my two free services from the dealer and had to pay for an oil change and tire rotation yesterday.  I think I paid top end but was wondering what you all are paying.  FWIW, no, I’m not going to do it myself.  I don’t care about how easy it is or why you doi it, I’m not going to do my own oil changes.

 

I paid $125 for a full synthetic oil change includes filter (obviously) and tire rotation.  The oil change was $100 and the tire rotation was $25.  I think I paid too much for the oil change and I think they were light on the rotation.  In total, I think I paid a little bit too much.  However, the service center was very professional and I liked dealing with them.  If I can convince myself I’m not getting completely hosed, I’ll stay with them.  If they’re more than $20 too high, I’ll probably look elsewhere.

 

Thanks. 

I think $125 sounds about right. I do my own maintenance only because I have trust issues. Synthetic oil will costs me about $6 per qrt, 5.3 takes 8qrt, so $48 in oil alone, $10 for a filter, a few bucks for top off fluids and spray lube...so $60 for parts, fair deal.....Labor, a cheap rate would be $100 per hr, so less than a 1/2 hr to lube lube hinges and latches, ck lights, ck wiper blades, ck tire tread and pressures, put vehicle on a lift and raise, replace filter, drain oil, put an eyeball on the underside for leaks and broken stuff, lower vehicle, fill with oil, ck brake fluid, ps fluid, coolant, air filter, top off windshield solvent, and look at the battery connections. Do paper work and return to owner....all for $100 total....very ok deal if all is done well with no damage. $25 for 15 minutes to remove and reinstall all wheels, if lugs are torqued properly, fair deal too.

Only thing I can say is that you should always take your vehicle to the same place and only that place for the oil changes, that way you can hold them accountable if anything goes wrong down the road, like a stripped out oil drain or whatever.

[Byrds8]

3 hours ago, seamus2154 said:

He doesnt care. 

 

"I don’t care about how easy it is or why you doi it, I’m not going to do my own oil changes."

 

He is just trying to save 20 dollars.......

 

All while oil prices are rising. 

 

I'm with you, I stock up at Walmart on Mobil 1 synthetic. It was 25 dollars, now 28 dollars for the 5 quart. Napa gold filter, and I am done on my terms and schedule, done correctly. I paid over 60K for this truck, not handing it off to the lowest paid, least skilled guy at a shop, who has no vested interest in not dinging up my truck or doing the change correctly, if at all. 

EXACTLY! They dont care at all. Not to mention who knows what they really put in it lol.

 

I got a few jugs when Pennzoil went on sale and used my daughter's Wal-Mart discount. In the end, was just under $20 per. 

[ChriZ71]

Sacramento area dealers always seem to be running this "special":

8-Quart ACDelco GM OE dexos1® Full Synthetic Oil Change Package

8-Quart ACDelco GM OE dexos1® Full Synthetic Oil Change and Tire Rotation

$79.95*

Offer Expires 4/9/2022

[Wiggums]

It was free with my dealership in San Diego. Of course, I had to buy my 2019 Silverado through them.. they gave me $10k off and lifetime oil change.

[seamus2154]

4 hours ago, GN2018 said:

Not exactly.  I’m trying to find a quality shop.  I don’t mind, and I recognize, that will not be the least expensive option.  I’m trying to save about $20 off what I believe was a price pretty high on the spectrum.  I was, however happy with their work.  That’s a good start.

 

FWIW, I’ve done oil changes before.  I’ve done a lot of repair/maintenance work in my life.  At this point, I’m just not willing to do it.  I’m just over 60 years old and while I’m still capable, I’m not at all interested.  I do, however, still perform some of the basic items.  I replace wipers and filters (cabin and engine).  I check and top off my fluids.  I keep my truck clean and even hand wash it in the summer (only spray it in the winter).  No auto wash.  So, it’s just a matter of where I save my money and what I’m willing to do.  Balance.

I hear ya! I am approaching 60 yrs old quickly! Its not fun. I have a 2 post lift at the garage and it does make it easier....but its still a PITA. On a good day, rubber gloves, socket, oil filter wrench out, and oil drain tank...if I am organized maybe 12-15 minutes. I still have to lay on the ground to set the post arms under the frame. Its right at that point I wish I wasn't a control freak. But I have had alot of stupid issues with shops and its just easier for me to control the outcome. The day will come when my back and knees just say no. 

If your happy with their work, it sounds like thats more than half the battle, and thats your shop. Trust, not stripping your oil pan bolt, making sure the oil filter is tight and actually changing the oil is the other half. I would pay more for perfect work any day of the week over cheaper. Watching oil change scams on Youtube doesnt help either. Good luck

[JimCost2014]

I don’t care about how easy it is or why you do it, I’m not going to do my own oil changes.

 

Direct quote from the OP, do you think if he had said that he could care less what your favorite color is, most of the response's would have been blue, red, white, black, etc.....?

[swathdiver]

Recently bought a couple years worth of ACDelco oil and K&N and ACDelco PF48 filters.  Works out to $41.83 for each oil change which the kids and I do ourselves.

Edited April 2, 2022 by swathdiver

[elcamino]

Oil changes offer little to no profit for many oem dealers.  Instead, oil changes are a way to bring customers in the door and earn opportunities for additional, more profitable services.  Dealers are wary of premium extended life motor oils that could limit their chance to upsell the customers.  Having them come back at 3,000, 5,000 miles intervals increases their profits.

 

I bring my own oil and filters to the dealer and they charge me only $20 to do the oil change + the do a inspection which is code for "find something we can upsell the customer".   They tried that last time, SA came into showroom where is was and started to sell me on a BG transmission flush? 

 

I think the only reason they charge $20 is because that's what the quiklube 1/4 mi down the road charges..

Edited April 2, 2022 by elcamino

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, elcamino said:

Oil changes offer little to no profit for many oem dealers.  Instead, oil changes are a way to bring customers in the door and earn opportunities for additional, more profitable services.  Dealers are wary of premium extended life motor oils that could limit their chance to upsell the customers.  Having them come back at 3,000, 5,000 miles intervals increases their profits.

 

I bring my own oil and filters to the dealer and they charge me only $20 to do the oil change + the do a inspection which is code for "find something we can upsell the customer".   They tried that last time, SA came into showroom where is was and started to sell me on a BG transmission flush? 

 

I think the only reason they charge $20 is because that's what the quiklube 1/4 mi down the road 

[KARNUT]

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

1 hour ago, elcamino said:

Oil changes offer little to no profit for many oem dealers.  Instead, oil changes are a way to bring customers in the door and earn opportunities for additional, more profitable services.  Dealers are wary of premium extended life motor oils that could limit their chance to upsell the customers.  Having them come back at 3,000, 5,000 miles intervals increases their profits.

 

I bring my own oil and filters to the dealer and they charge me only $20 to do the oil change + the do a inspection which is code for "find something we can upsell the customer".   They tried that last time, SA came into showroom where is was and started to sell me on a BG transmission flush? 

 

I think the only reason they charge $20 is because that's what the quiklube 1/4 mi down the road 

Expand  

I wonder if the person’s who can’t trust the youngsters to oil changes at the dealership. Eat at fast food restaurants? 

[SkiDooNick700]

17 hours ago, Gangly said:

If that's full synthetic oil with filter then that's a steal.  Nice Job!

I honestly am not sure if it's full or semi synthetic.  What do dealers put in by default lol?  I'll have to pull up a receipt or check when I go in the next month or so.  I only go once a year for the last 2 years since I work from home and only drive it on nice weekends now LOL