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What is the average cost for a synthetic oil change?
surferdudehb
Member Posts: 42
Just purchased a 2013 Highlander v6 and it looks like I need a oil change. What's the average cost for a synthetic oil change? This wouldn't be covered by the extended warranty right?
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Our labor guide includes a tire rotation and various inspections to the tune of $50, bringing the total cost of the oil change up to $105.
We don't specific what kind of oil is required in our guide.
Typically extended warranties don't cover regular maintenance unless you have a service plan included.
My BMW dealer runs a $79 oil change special on my model. But, it takes 7 quarts, and I doubt they make any money on it. You should see the list of recommended maintenance and repairs that they give me, though!
Their regular price is about $130.
I would guess that a Toyota dealer would be between $80-$100 for synthetic, depending on how many quarts. My local independent mechanic charges $100 for a 7 quart Mobil 1 oil change, and their labor rate is only $70/hr.
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My guess is that the oil change hobbyist crowd would experience more wear on their oil plugs than I do but even if it was a frequent occurrence with those guys, it would be worth it for the manufacturers to switch to something like a Fumoto valve and avoid the warranty claims.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=fumoto+engine+oil+drain+valve&tag=googhydr-20&index=automotive&hvadid=28101744157&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4532666878199114353&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3f6s7ju733_b
You could have 5 (or more) drain plugs for that price. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_16?url=search-alias=automotive&field-keywords=engine+oil+drain+plug&sprefix=Engine+oil+drain,automotive,135&rh=n:15684181,k:engine+oil+drain+plug
Easy fix is just to do away with the drain plug and go to 100k intervals, with filter changes every 15k, plus an additive pack.
Of course, all the dealers who built fancy lounges, with manicure stations, fresh cookies, full service barista, barber shops, video arcades and massage chairs will wonder why no one bothers to show up any more. If people loved their mechanics and loved going to get their car serviced, the dealers wouldn't bother spending that dough on the waiting areas. It's better than the stale coffee on the hot plate back in the old days, but does anyone really want to hang around while their car gets the oil changed?
EVs don't need oil.
I will say that the manufacturers try hard to keep the Cost of Ownership numbers down and they even argue with some of the engineers about this. In my case I don't go overboard but I do tend to over maintain my cars a bit and this has always paid off for me. I don't try to see how little money I can spend but I don't replace cam and crank seals that are "bone dry"!
The last time I ever did my own oil change was on a Honda Accord in the early 90's. The O ring fell off while I was on my back blindly trying to screw the thing in. My wife started the car and 4 quarts of oil shot out from under the car in about 5 seconds. What a mess I made.
I would no more let a Nano-Second Lube change my oil filter than I'd let a dental hygienist do a root canal for me.
YRMV !
If anyone's interested, here's a brief description of one "filter pitfall" on a Mini Cooper. Similar pitfalls exist on other makes of cars.
http://new.minimania.com/MINI__02_04__Oil_Filter_Confusion___Problem___Hints
I heard that some manufactures are doing this out of the fear that on cars people lease and don't plan to keep that the owners will skip changing the oil. I'm sure this happens.
1. Get the Jiffy Lube gift cards for $10 off
https://www.spoofee.com/jiffy-lube-oil-change-off-20-off/deals/869936
2. Use their online $10 off coupon
3. Deny any extra service they try to sell
You come out for $50 for synthetic oil change
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)