Where's the Best Place to Get an Oil Change?
When it comes to finding the best place to get an oil change, the vast amount of options can be intimidating. There seems to be an auto repair shop or large national chain specializing in oil changes on every street corner. When selecting the best place to get an oil change it typically comes down to a few different factors such as convenience, reliability and cost. Finding a low cost oil change is usually the most important factor to consider, but not all oil and auto shops are created equal. Delaying or refusing to get an oil change is definitely not recommended, and while you may save some money right now, it will end up costing you much more in the long run. Follow the guide on this page and the right choice will be clear.
Comparing Auto Shops in Necessary
A lot of people choose the store offering the lowest priced oil change, and while this can be tempting, it's often not the best deal in the long run. When looking at advertised prices, if it seems too good to be true and the cost seems too low, it probably is. Many oil change shops lure customers in with low advertised rates, but end up charging for additional things once you get to their store. Calling ahead can save you the time and hassle that comes with these types of offers.
You also need to take into account that not all oil is created equal, and that certain types of oil can be more suited to your vehicle and can last much longer than other types.When comparing prices between two types of oil you need to break the cost down to cost per mile. An oil change that costs $50 and lasts for 10,000 miles is clearly the better deal compared to one that costs $30 and lasts for 3,000 miles. At first glance the $25 oil change looks like the better option, but the $50 oil change ends up costing only $5 per 1,000 miles driven compared to a much more expensive $10 per 1,000 miles driven.
Popular Auto Shops for an Oil Change
There are a bunch of places that you can get a fast, cheap oil change. Local auto shops often offer oil changes in addition to a bunch of other car maintenance and repair services. If you are looking for full vehicle maintenance and inspection, a local auto shop is usually the best bet, and can be much cheaper, but always make sure to compare prices from a few different shops. There are also large national auto shops that specialize in offering fast and affordable oil changes, including:
- Express Oil
- Good Year
- Jiffy Lube
- NTB
- Pep Boys
- Valvoline
- Walmart
Check Out Customer Reviews Before Choosing a Company
Since there's so many shops to choose from, the service and quality varies greatly from store to store. This is why it's always a good idea to read customer reviews on-line before scheduling your car or truck for an oil change at your local auto shop. It's also important to check out reviews for the exact location that you're interested in as service at different franchises has proven to vary dramatically. While the national oil change stores try to maintain strict quality standards across all of their locations, the reality is that you will get very different service from branch to branch.
Factors to Consider
There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing an auto repair shop to get an oil change for your vehicle. Here are some of the top considerations:
- Is your vehicle under warranty? If your vehicle is covered by a manufacturers warranty then you should take it to an authorized dealer, and your oil change is usually performed free of charge. If it's not covered by manufacturers warranty then it's usually a good idea to steer clear of authorized dealers as their prices are usually the highest.
- Is your car an import, or exotic? If you have a rare car it's a good idea to take it to a foreign or exotic auto shop that specializes in rare cars or your brand. Some makes and models require special care, and experienced mechanics will ensure that your car gets the care it needs.
- How many miles do you drive each year? If you drive a lot then you should consider purchasing premium oil so you won't have to get another oil change in the near future.
Taking the time to compare different auto shops and checking out reviews on-line ensures that you won't have any unexpected issues when getting an oil change. If you have a good or bad experience with your next oil change we suggest that you leave a review online so that others can benefit from your experience.
