Cheap Oil Change Guide

When you think of the words "cheap oil change", the first thing that springs to mind may be low quality. But this is not necessarily the case. It is entirely possible to get an affordable oil change that meets all of your car's needs while not breaking the bank. Read on to learn some of the common mistakes that people make when getting an oil change, and how to go about getting a quality cheap oil change to maintain the engine health and stability of your car.

Perhaps the most common mistake that people make when trying to save money on an oil change is to do it themselves. That's not to say that a DIY oil change is not an affordable and effective solution; however it's important to be very knowledgeable about the steps involved in performing an oil change, otherwise the potential is there to seriously damage your car's engine. If you're interested in an at-home oil change, the best thing to do is to talk to car care representative at your local automobile specialty store. Some popular chains that may exist in your area include Pep Boys and Auto Zone. They can give you tips and advice on performing a safe and effective at-home oil change, and they can also provide you with all of the tools and products you'll need. Typically an oil change that you perform yourself will run you between $15-$25, depending on whether you have some of the necessary tools on hand. In this case, it may be more beneficial and less costly to get a cheap oil change by a local auto repair and maintenance shop instead.

Another mistake that people make when they need an oil change is to go to their local car manufacturer's dealership. Despite what you may have been told when you purchased your car, it is not necessary to always go to a dealership for car maintenance - especially oil changes. You will often be charged a premium for taking your car to a dealership versus a local auto maintenance shop. An exception is if you're leasing your car, in which it may either be required to get an oil change at the dealership, or you may get a special break on car maintenance because of the lease. But in general, a dealership is not a great place to get a cheap oil change.

Finally it's a major mistake to get an oil change without first checking into reviews of the shop that you'll be taking your car to. Websites such as Yelp.com are perfect for looking up reviews and ratings of your local car care specialty shops. Even franchises such as Jiffy Lube and Econo Lube & Tube do not necessarily provide quality car care at each shop, since many are often independently owned. Taking five or ten minutes to look up ratings can save you time and hassle when looking for quality, inexpensive oil change for your automobile.