3 Ways To Save Money On Your Car's Oil Changes
Posted on: 11 September 2015
Maintaining your car can get expensive, but you don't really have a choice – not maintaining your car can result in even more expensive repairs. So, instead of putting off needed maintenance, the best thing that you can do is find ways to lessen the cost of routine tasks like oil changes. Take a look at how you can make oil changes less of a strain on your budget.
Change the Oil Less Often
Sure, you shouldn't put off needed maintenance, but who says that an oil change every 3,000 miles is actually needed? The truth is that the auto manufacturers don't recommend oil changes that often. Instead, they recommend them at 5,000, 7,000, or even 10,000 miles, depending on the make and model of the car.
Feel free to ignore the sticker on your windshield from the last oil change, warning you to change it again in only 3,000 miles. Pull out your owner's manual (or look it up on the internet if you don't have the original) and find out what the manufacturer's recommendations are for your car. Whether it's as low as 5,000 miles or as high as 10,000 miles, you'll save some money by taking the car in less often.
Bring Your Own Oil
You may be able to save money by buying your own oil and bringing it with you for the garage to use. That way, you'll be charged only for the labor.
A word of caution: this can be tricky, because the garage likely gets a bulk price on oil. To really save money, you'll need to watch for sales on the brand of oil you use and be able to store it until the next time you need an oil change. If you have an itemized receipt from your last oil change, you can check to see how much the garage charged you for oil, and compare that to the sale prices around you. Bringing your own oil only works as a cash-saving strategy if you're certain that you're paying less for the oil than the garage will charge you. However, it's also a good way to ensure that your preferred brand is used.
Find a Mechanic That You Trust
Do you have a relationship with one mechanic that you trust, or do you just bring your car in to whatever quick-lube provider is offering a coupon around the time you need an oil change? The latter strategy is common, but it probably won't save you as much money as you may think.
What you need is a mechanic that won't push you to take services that you don't need or exaggerate problems to get you to pay for an expensive repair. Not all mechanics do this, of course, but some do – and it's hard to know which one you're dealing with unless you've been taking your car there for a while and learned how they operate. Look for a mechanic you like – perhaps one that's been recommended by people you trust – and stick with them. You'll save money in the long run by avoiding garages that try to push you into extra services.
Saving money on car maintenance is easier than you might think, and oil changes are a great place to start. You may find that changing your oil according to the manufacturer's instructions, using your preferred brand of oil, and working with a trusted mechanic are all ways to keep your car in better shape overall. Contact a shop like Covey's Auto for more information.
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