[Cindy]

I just spend $103 on an oil change! I really need to learn how to do it.

I’m interested in learning how to change my car’s oil on my own. What are the essential tools, steps, and safety tips I need to know as a beginner?

Are there any common mistakes I should avoid?

Any recommendations for resources like videos or guides would also be appreciated!

[Shauna]

Yep. Need to learn. My last one was 132$. So the next time I Bought the oil and filter myself for 42$ and had my Dad change it.

[Rissa]

Only downside to doing it yourself is disposing of the oil after.

[Anisa]

Watch a you tube video and pretend you only have enough for oil and a pan. You can do it!

[Mélisse]

Groupon!! I always buy mine on Groupon when they have a promo attached. Mine would also be that expensive.

[Cassandra]

Before you make that decision to do it yourself, make sure you Not only do the research on how to do it, but what kind of equipment or supplies you would need to buy to be able to do it properly.

Now I can only speak for myself, but I could never do it because my hands and wrists are not strong enough to be able to do that so take things like that into account.

[Courtney]

YouTube your car. Most cars are pretty simple. We bought a $50 set of ramps from Walmart, a nice oil drop pan(you’ll want a good one, not a flimsy cat litter pan), and have a couple wood blocks to block up.

The ramps arnt needed, but easier than jacking the car up. Walmart is pretty cheap for oil changes, but it’s sooo much quicker to do it yourself.

[Elisa]

Yikes! I shopped around because jiffy lube charged me $120!!! So, I got it cheaper at the dealer and it came with 2 free car washes!

[Melanie]

Check with the high schools near you to see if they still have auto shop classes and if they will change it for a cheaper price

[Laura]

So….here’s the thing folks, vehicles these days hold anywhere from 4 to 8 quarts of engine oil. If this is a F150 that uses full synthetic oil and 7.75 quarts of oil, $103 isn’t a bad deal.

If it’s a civic that uses conventional oil @ 4 quarts, then that’s pricy.

[Diana]

Watch You tube. I have been changing my own oil for almost 20 years for about $27.

I installed a Fumoto oil drain valve as well that makes changing oil even more easier

[Pamela]

That’s expensive. Mine is done at the dealership with full synthetic oil plus tire rotation 89.00

[Courtney]

That’s expensive. Mine is done at my dealership with a tire rotation for $86. They also check it over for any issues.

Gives me some piece of mind I don’t mind paying for.

[Jackie]

Do you have a VoTech school nearby? They do it for free when you supply the in and filter. Ours even has a brand new state of the art alignment machine.

We just make a donation to their end of year party.

[Linda]

And watch for oil sales in stores like Advanced Auto and those places. They often put the oil on sale and include a free oil filter!

[Jenn]

It’s simple. Look up your make and model on a YouTube video. I’m sure there’s one out there.

Go to the auto parts store and give make and model they’ll get you what you need to do the job.

[Lynn]

Buy the oil and filter at Walmart and find a auto repair place to do it. Mine charges $20.

For the car I buy 2 gallons of oil and a filter.

[Brian]

Walmart has good prices on oil. I do a Mobil 1 full synthetic with a mobile one filter. They are about $35-40 for everything.

You will also need a funnel, an oil catching container and a filter wrench.

[April]

Our local shop charges me $60 and I thought that was high guess not but I do agree that they do check out the vehicles as well

[Christa]

If I do my own it negates my warranty. They need the proof that the car was well maintained on a regular basis. Having that warranty is worth more to me.

But I do get what you’re saying.

Oil change seems doable.

[Julia]

Buy your oil and filter at Walmart and find a local mechanic to change it for you. Ours charges us $10

[Sheila]

My dad taught me at sixteen but I quit doing them when I married. I would probably google it to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

[Bill]

Once you learn how to change your oil yourself, you’ll wonder edgy you waited so long to learn hope to do it.

Also, you’ll probably do a better job than a quick change place because you’re likely to allow all of the oil to drain from the oil pan, as you don’t have a quota to meet.

[Becky]

Factor cost of oil & old oil disposal, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, time and and misc.

[Carolyn]

I would call around, in my area the dealership is the cheapest place because they buy oil in larger quantities.

Problem they always find some maintenance thing you need to do.

[Tammy]

It isn’t that hard to do your own. I use to do it until I moved to a city then it just became easier having someone else do it.

But also the newer cars it’s a little harder to get to.

[Diane]

I start looking for coupons about a week before time to change mine..and I generally find them. Chains like Precision Oil Change have one on line you can print out.

Saved me about $30 cause they did tack on a “fee”…but still

[Lucinda]

I actually get mine done at the mechanic shop, as they have always given our cars a “once over” and actually caught issues before they became problematic.

Some things are worth paying a little extra to me.

[Alexis]

Look for coupons on Groupon and JustPayHalf. Also check Walmart. Prices might be lower and they do a good job.

[Rachel]

Unsure where you live, but that seems steep. Quick lube places like Jiffy lube and valvoline overcharge for conveniencw. We pay $50 for a pickup truck at a local shop.

By the time we buy the filter and oil plus the time to do it and haul the oil for disposal, it’s cheaper to pay to have it done as they also top up fluids and do a safety inspection.

[Author]

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