How Long Does An Oil Change Take?
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
The light turned on again! That, or you’ve been paying careful attention to your car’s odometer, and you know it’s time for another oil change. Getting the engine lubricant drained and replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is a hugely important part of regular car maintenance.
Done right and often enough, it will keep your vehicle happy and running for hundreds of thousands of miles. But it can be hard to find time in your busy schedule to make it happen. So if you know it’s that time in your car’s life again, and you’re combing through your calendar looking for the right day to take your vehicle in between lunch with mom and that important board meeting, you might be wondering: “how long does an oil change take?”
Copilot is a personal car expert dedicated to helping you buy and maintain the right car to fit your lifestyle and budget. In this article, we’re going to teach you everything we know about oil changes so you can be prepared the next time your car needs one.
From the Dealership to Jiffy Lube: How Long Does an Oil Change Take?
The baseline estimate for how long does an oil change take is between 30 and 45 minutes. Professionals will first drain your current oil from the well, and then change the used oil filter. Oil filters are there to help keep the “contaminants” that build up over time from gunking up your engine.
They need to be replaced as often as the oil itself. When that’s done, the pro will put new oil into your engine. After a quick check to make sure everything’s running smoothly, you’ll be good to go.
Full-service oil change stations will also check and top off other car fluids for you, including brake fluid, windshield washing fluid, and coolant. Most also check your tire pressure and air filters, and may even offer to replace worn-out windshield wiper blades. This can of course lengthen the time you spend at the service station, and you can always ask them to stick with the oil change if you’re in a hurry.
The amount of time you spend getting your oil changed can also depend on where you go to do it. Many car owners choose to go to quick-service oil change stations because they are cheap and fast.
You will hardly have to wait at a “quick lube” place because they specialize in oil changes and can perform one in minutes. But a LOT of people go to places like Jiffy Lube, and you might find yourself waiting in a long line if you choose to get your oil changed on the wrong day.
You might avoid going to the dealership for an oil change because of the expense. And a dealership will likely require that you make an appointment for the service. But the major benefit of going to the dealership is that the professional is an expert in the make of your vehicle, and will give you the best service you could possibly get for your money. It might take a little longer and cost a little more, but you can trust that no mistakes will be made, and no damage will go undetected.
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Factors that will Lengthen Your Oil Change
Here are a few things that will make your wait time take a little longer.
- Other necessary maintenance. All but the most diligent among us tend to put off taking care of the little things in our cars. When we go to get our oil changed, the mechanic might spot something that we can no longer afford to ignore: things like super-dirty air filters, bald tires, etc.
They will always ask before they fix something, but you should also listen to your mechanic if they say something needs replacing, now. Keeping up with regular maintenance will save you both time and money in the long run. * Putting it off. Everyone has driven past their oil change mileage at one point or another. But driving thousands of miles over the limit will make the mechanic’s job harder once you finally take it in.
Excessive sludge buildup in your oil can give the drainage equipment a hard time. And in the worst case, this will also damage your engine leaving you with expensive and time-consuming repairs to take care of.
Top tip – you know it’s been too long since your last oil change if you:
- Smell oil inside the car.
- Need to fill up more frequently.
- Hear loud clanking or grinding inside the engine.
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Factors that will Shorten Your Oil Change
Here are some things you can do to help your oil change go smoothly and quickly.
- Know what you want. Some oil change pros might try to talk you into buying the super-premium ultra-mileage oil for your vehicle, and having that conversation can take time. So if you get there and already know what the right lube is for your car, it will save you precious minutes.
- Make an appointment. Drive-up oil changes might cost less, but you’ll have to wait your turn once you get there. You can avoid needing to take this risk by making an appointment with your mechanic or dealership instead.
- Go to the dealership. Especially if you have a luxury car or a more unusual make, you want an expert working on even the smallest components of your vehicle. A dealership professional will know your car inside and out, and will be less likely to make costly mistakes like forgetting to open your car’s second drain plug.
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How Long does an Oil Change Take if you Do it Yourself?
If you’re a hands-on type, you could try skipping the service station altogether and just do it yourself. Autozone estimates that a DIY oil change will take between half an hour to an hour, depending on your experience level and access to equipment. While it takes a little more effort, it’s a great chance to get to know your car a little better. And as an added bonus, it will save you lots of money.
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