Why You Should Change Your Own Oil

Introduction

Changing your own oil can offer much of what we all want in life: more money in your pocket, personal satisfaction, increased knowledge, and time savings. In this article, we'll get into the details of taking on the simple task of changing the oil in your vehicle yourself. Below are just some of the things you'll gain.

Doing it Yourself is Cheaper

The amount you save by changing your own oil can vary depending on different factors like your car's make and model, the quality of oil and filters you use, and where you buy your supplies. On average, though, DIY oil changes can save you between $20 to $50 per change compared to going to a professional service center. These savings can really add up over time, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars each year. Additionally, using high-quality oil and filters might help extend your engine's life, reducing the risk of expensive repairs in the future.

Increased Quality Control

Taking matters into your own hands allows you to ensure every step is done correctly. While the individual tasks thet an oil change requires are not difficult to fulfill, a lack of care can cause anyone to miss an important piece of the process. In most cases, we've found that a high level of care by a less experienced individual is better than the alternative. If you haven't heard one of the many horrors stories from a failed oil change/lube shop, check out this personal experience from Quora.com.

A friend, against his better instincts, went to a quickie oil change place. He paid and came out just as the mechanic was filling up his car with oil and slammed the hood shut giving him the thumbs up! As he drove out of the shop he heard a shout of warning and stopped. When he got out and looked behind the car there was a nice long line of fresh oil from under his car leading back into the workshop. The mechanic had not put the drain plug back in!

It's Quicker than the Alternative

While a less experienced and more careful oil changer may spend more time touching the vehicle, they save time overall by avoiding scheduling appointments, waiting on availability, driving to the shop, and waiting on the job to finish or getting a ride elsewhere. Additionally, the flexibility to change your oil and anytime in the day or week is a wonderful benefit to busy people.

Skill Development & Empowerment

Driving a smoothly running vehicle down the road with a batch a fresh oil inside that you put there yourself is one of those mountaintop experiences we think everyone deserves. The process of learning something new and successfully completing the task is a feeling we all seek, whether we realize it or not. Changing the oil in your own vehicle even one time makes you a better informed consumer for the next time you need to pay someone to do the job.

Conclusion

While a shop may offer certain guarantees or ease for regular oil changes, we believe that the sum value of a DIY oil change far outweighs the alternative. If you're interested in taking the first step, find a guide to change your own oli on our side through our Guides page or by searching our entire catalog of DIY auto repairs and maintenance information at the top of any page or via our Home page.