When most people think of maintaining their vehicle they think first of keeping it washed and waxed. Then they think of changing the oil and filter. Although changing your own oil is both relatively easy and socially acceptable, does it really save you any money?

First, let’s look at the costs involved.

The process of changing our own oil and filter is fairly inexpensive on the surface. Oil is generally under two dollars a quart and a filter is under five. However, there are a number of accessories that you will also need to purchase in order to perform this maintenance. You will require a wrench to remove the oil filter, as well as a drip pan and funnel for changing the oil. In most cases it should take only half an hour to complete the whole process. When you discard the oil filter and oil you will also need to pay a small fee which is usually around two dollar. The first time you change your own oil and filter you will be unlikely to save any money.

What are the benefits of paying to have the oil changed?

The cost of having your oil and filter changed will depend on a number of factors, including the garage you choose and whether you have a coupon. On average you are looking at somewhere between twenty and forty dollars. In most cases, a mechanic will perform a number of additional checks on your vehicle, such as tires and general safety, while changing your oil and filter. These additional checks may be worth the price of your oil change if you are not a mechanic yourself. In many cases a trained mechanic will notice minor issues before they turn into expensive 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.

Most mechanics do not feel it is a good idea to change the oil and not change the filter as well. The reason being by not removing the filter a good full quart of oil will remain in your engine until the next time you change the filter. This old oil is, of course, dirty. Considering that the reason for changing your oil is to enable your vehicle to function more effectively, it is reasonable to assume that leaving a quart of dirty oil in engine is going to negatively affect your vehicle’s performance.

Your oil and filter can actually be changed even more frequently. By ensuring that you vehicle is running with clean oil and a clean filter, you will save money on gas consumption and also avoid potentially expensive repairs. Considering this, how much do you really save by waiting to change your own oil and filter every 5 or 6,000 miles without the benefit of having a professional mechanic look at your vehicle on a regular basis?

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