Can I Do My Own Oil Changes to Save Money?
Yes, you can do your own oil changes on most vehicles. This saves $30 to $60 each time. Shops charge $50 to $100 for the job. You spend just $20 to $40 on oil and a filter.
Most cars need oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Or check your owner's manual. At that rate, many drivers do 4 to 6 changes a year. That adds up to $200 to $600 in shop fees. DIY drops it to $80 to $240. You save $150 to $300 yearly on this alone.
Costs Side by Side
Here's a quick look at typical costs:
| Item | DIY Cost | Shop Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oil (5 quarts) | $15 to $30 | Included |
| Oil filter | $5 to $10 | Included |
| Labor | $0 | $25 to $60 |
| Total | $20 to $40 | $50 to $100 |
Data from Consumer Affairs shows average annual maintenance hits $900 for many cars (Source: Consumer Affairs, October 2025). Oil changes make up 10% to 20% of that. Cut this with DIY work, and your total ownership costs drop. AAA notes average yearly ownership at $11,577, or $965 a month (Source: AAA 2025 Your Driving Costs study).
"Routine maintenance like oil changes offers the biggest DIY savings for owners," says the Sidekick Research Team, based on analysis of 1,200 verified maintenance records.
Steps to Do It Right
Follow these steps for safe DIY oil changes:
- Warm the engine for 5 minutes. Park on level ground.
- Jack up the front safely. Use jack stands.
- Drain old oil from the pan. Let it fully drain.
- Replace the drain plug. Torque to spec.
- Swap the oil filter. Lubricate the gasket.
- Add 4 to 6 quarts of new oil. Check the dipstick.
- Run the engine. Check for leaks. Reset the oil light.
Buy quality oil that matches your manual. Conventional oil works for most. Synthetic costs more but lasts longer. Tools cost $50 to $100 upfront if you lack them. They pay off after 2 to 3 changes.
Tools You Need
- Oil filter wrench
- Drain pan (holds 6 quarts)
- Socket set and ratchet
- Funnel and gloves
- Jack and stands
Watch Out For These Risks
DIY saves cash, but do it wrong and face issues. Wrong oil type harms the engine. Over-tightening strips threads. Leaks lead to $500 repairs. Always follow your manual. If unsure, watch free videos or ask a friend.
In New York (ZIP 10001), shop rates run high at $80 to $120. DIY shines here. Sidekick tracks your maintenance history. It shows when oil changes due and flags savings from DIY. Log your work to optimize costs.
Average maintenance sits at $900 yearly (Source: Consumer Affairs, 2025). AAA data confirms repairs and routine work add up fast in total ownership (Source: AAA, 2026). Do oil changes yourself to keep control. Save hundreds over time. Many drivers cut bills 15% to 25% this way, per Sidekick owner data from 850 users (Sidekick Research Team, Q1 2026).
Start today. Grab parts from any auto store. Your wallet thanks you.