StoneTheCrow

I used to like taking it in to my Ford dealer but prices have crept up and wait time is to ridiculous to justify just for the free coffee and donuts

Ron in Texas

For the past 61 years when real mechanic or a least a shade-tree mechanic, was used by businesses to change auto oil and filters, I've pretty much always changed my own oil and filters. However, these days having failing eyes and flexibility issues, as well as the manufacturers purposefully hiding their oil filters, even the folks at these quick-change places can usually make less mistakes than me.

However, I now try to go to a local oil change business that I know hires kids who at the least knows what a wrench is, then I check their work as best I can right after they do it. I still supply the oil and filter.

Spiky

Yours has donuts?!?

Justanotherjo

It's marginally more expensive to have the quick change places do it, but when I factor in my time, getting dirty, having to properly dispose of the used oil and filter, it's worth spending an extra $20 to let them do it. I'm in & out in under half an hour, don't need to get dirty (or cold in winter), and can do it when I'm out and about running errands. It takes less time than going to the store, grabbing a cart, getting the oil and filter, driving home and changing it. It is definitely worth it to let them take care of it.

Spiky

It is not "marginally more" when wanting synthetic oil. Mine costs about $40 and last time I looked it was $90 at a quick place. Quick search shows $110 at Jiffy now. There's always coupons, but they aren't $70. And that's the price for 5qt, I believe. They upcharge for more, so add probably $30 for the Coyote.

bryan_c

Yeah, it cost $92 for DuraMAX Synthetic and filter on a work car at a Take 5 oil change place just the other day...but that car only takes 4.5 quarts. Both of mine take 6 quarts each.

I can get a 12 quart garage box of Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic for my truck and the wife's car and both oil filters for less than $80 total.

$40 each vehicle for full synthetic and filter is way better than I have seen at any oil change place these days.

jhanna

DIY oil changes are no different than any other services, like lawn care, house cleaning, meal cooking vs going out, home maintenance, etc, etc.

im a big DIYer, I even cut my own hair, only been to a barber shop one time in over 50 years.

some people are more hands on than others, to some people, time/effort/energy, is more valuable than money, AND this will never change. And some people are just lazy.

the OPs questions, was, is it cheaper to DIY oil change, than to go to a shop, the Answer is, from a $$$$ point of view, YES.

should be end of discussion.

Truckguy1957

Is it cheaper to change your own? Probably. I used to enjoy doing it but now that I'm older I take all my rigs to the local mechanic. I have no problem paying him to do it. It gets done right & everyone is happy.

Joe F

I did my own for decades, but now it's Valvoline for me. The location is about 6min from my house. My old 2001 F150 Lariat survived 186K miles going there and is still on the road today with the current owner. Rolling on 120K soon on my 2013 and not a single issue. Over the years I have gotten to know the managers there and give them great online reviews when merited. They treat me great when I come in and even have a camera down in the pit for me to watch them do their thing while I sit in my truck scrolling my iPad as they work. Once they have your information the coupons start coming in regularly on email and the app. Usually for 25% off. Their app tells you the current wait time at any location and the last time I was there I think I was in and out in less than 15min. No muss no fuss.

Justanotherjo

Sure, if you want synthetic, but mine doesn't call for synthetic.