Does Changing Your Own Oil Really Save You Money?
The most basic level of automotive maintenance is washing and waxing your car. After that, changing your vehicle’s oil and filter is the simplest form of maintenance. To change your own oil is pretty simple and a very acceptable do it yourself kind of weekend warrior task but does it really save you money?
What are the costs involved?
In most cases, changing your own oil and filter seems to be fairly cheap. Oil itself is under two dollars per quart, and an oil filter is usually under five dollars. You will also need a number of accessories prior to getting started. You will need a drip pan, funnel and a wrench designed for removing the oil filer. You should be able to change the oil and oil filter in about half an hour. It then costs another couple of dollars to discard the filter and oil oil. The first change will probably end up being a wash money wise.
Why should you pay to have your oil changed?
Paying to have your oil and filter changed will vary depending on the garage and if you have a coupon. It can be anywhere between twenty and forty dollars. Most mechanics will also check for any potential problems as well as washing your windows and filling your windshield washer tank rather than simply changing your oil and filter as instructed. If you are not a mechanic this may prove to be well worth the money you spend on paying to have your oil changed. Often a mechanic can spot things before they become real problems.
When should you change your oil and filter?
There are varying opinions regarding the frequency of oil changes. For the most part mechanics recommend that you have your car serviced and oil changed every 3,000 miles. However, in the case of some newer model vehicles, manufacturers actually recommend 6,000 miles. The oil filter is not necessarily recommended to be changed with every oil change but with every other change.
Many mechanics do not consider it to be a good idea to change your oil and leave a dirty filter in your vehicle. The argument for changing your filter with every oil change is based on the fact that doing so leaves a full quart of old oil in the engine. Leaving dirty oil in your engine is obviously going to prevent your vehicle from performing as efficiently as it would if it had all clean oil.
In fact, there is no reason not to change your oil and filter more often. Clean oil and a clean oil filter will help to keep your car running more efficiently which will save you money in the long run by avoiding repairs and saving on gas consumption. With all of this in mind, is there really any benefit in changing your own oil and filter after 6,000 miles? Or is it more cost effective in the long run to allow a mechanic to service your vehicle on a regular basis.
Learn the secrets of school grants and law school scholarships.
