Welcome to my 52 Ways to Save $100 a Month series. We’re serious about saving money in 2016. Sometimes it’s the little things and sometimes it’s the big things. I’m here to walk you through some little things that can add up to BIG savings. 52 little things to be exact. Every week, join me back here for another small money saving tip or idea that might not seem like significant savings until you see the overall yearly savings. It might just blow your mind. So pop in each Tuesday and read a new tip that will help you on your way to save $100 a month!
Your tip this week is a little tricky. It will save you money, but you have to be willing to get your hands dirty. Possibly really dirty! Changing your own oil might be more for the mechanically inclined, but I believe everyone can learn how. It’s a handy thing to know how to do, even if you never plan on doing it yourself. But if you do want to save some cash, it’s definitely something to consider.
The How:
You’ll need some supplies: oil, specialized wrench for your vehicle, and a drip pan {a discarded kitty litter tray works great!}. There will be an upfront cost to buy the right tools, but the money you save will more than make up for it.
Once you’ve gathered you’re supplies, hit YouTube. You can type in “How to change the oil in a Honda Accord {or fill in your car type}” and BOOM: instant knowledge. The videos will walk you through step by step on how to drain it, replace it, etc.
You will need to discard your yucky oil properly, but most auto part stores will take it for no charge.
The Why:
While I might sometimes choose convenience over DIY, I think the knowledge is so important. Being self sufficient is so important, and changing your oil is one piece of that. I’d much rather have the knowledge and never need it, than need it and not have it.
Another big perk is the cost factor. Depending on your vehicle type, an oil change can run you anywhere from $30-$100. Let’s say you change your oil every 3 months, that could add up to some pretty significant saving through the year, even after factoring in the cost of your own oil, etc.
Plus, there’s the satisfaction of getting your hands dirty! I like to dig in the dirt and I know how satisfying that feeling is. I suspect many will feel the same way about a little elbow grease.
The Alternative:
So maybe you’re all about the convenience of a shop oil change or you simply have no desire to crawl under your car. Or maybe you have an older make or model and an oil change is pretty dang cheap. There are still a few ways to save some serious cash when getting a professional oil change.
1. Skip the extras. Sometimes that smiling mechanic will upsell the heck out of every add-on imaginable. Just say no! Most of the time, what they are suggesting is not essential.
2. Ignore the “every 3,000 miles” nonsense. Every mechanic I know says that is some crazy myth and it’s not necessary. Most newer cars will tell you when it’s needed with some indicator lights, but older vehicles don’t even need an oil change every 3 months or 3,000 miles. You can cut costs by more than 50% if you decrease your frequency to a recommended 5,000-7,500 miles or more.
3. Look for coupons. I see so many oil change coupons in my mailbox, online and in the newspaper. Snag them for some pretty significant savings.
How Much Can You Save: $400/year per vehicle minus costs. The average household has 2+ vehicles so a possible $800+/year minus costs.
Do you change your own oil? If not, why do you prefer to take your car in?
~Mavis
More Ways to Save:
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Clean Out Your Closet {Week 1 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Break Up with Cable {Week 2 of 52}
52 Ways to Save $100 a Month | Barter Better {Week 3 of 52}
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.
Jennifer says
Newer cars with synthetic oil (like mine) can go 10,000 between changes. Which is great! But, if I was to take my car to my auto body shop it would cost $85 and the dealer charges $65. So, I buy the items needed at Advance Auto for $40 and change it myself with the help of my husband.
KAte says
As for used oil disposal, my curbside recycling service will take it for free!! All I have to do is call the office and on the next pickup day they’ll drop off an oil container. I fill it, and put it out with the following pickup. Eeasy-peasy.
Veronica Vatter says
All sorts of car maintenance are easy! Changing a headlight bulb most cars is simple and not taking the car to a garage can save you plenty!! We do everything but body work at home. A lot of car work takes very little time and money if you do it yourself. We use our used oil to grease all sorts of things. And a bucket of sand wet with oil helps to clean and keep your garden tools sharp.
Mavis says
I so agree. I certainly am not knowledgeable when it comes to that sort of thing, but I’d love to learn how to do a lot of those easy things myself!
Jenny says
My husband changes the oil in my truck. Our car has free oil changes for 5 years. I would recommend getting a K&N air filter because they never need replaced. You just recharge them and they are good as new. That is the one thing the oil change places are always pestering about changing. Our K&N was about 30 dollars, the regular paper filters were about 7. It paid for itself pretty quick.
Mavis says
Sometimes paying more saves more…in the long run that is!
Candy says
My husband has always swore by K&N filters until he put one on my Highlander. For whatever reason, it did not work well with my suv. 🙁 He still has one on his truck and has used them for years.
Mona says
For the oil my car takes, a synthetic, its not really much cheaper to do it myself. Typically when it is on sale I can find it for about 43 with the filter. I normally get my oil changed by an awesome mechanic for 45 and he also checks other things in my car. The extra 2 bucks a few times a year is totally worth it.
Mrs. D says
My car tells me when to change. It’s every 5,000 miles. I change about once a year at the dealer for less than 20.00 all in. I only work 2.5 miles from home so I don’t typically build a lot of mileage. My dealer honors all coupons, they want the repeat car buyers. I did buy a new filter last year $22.00 it’s 5 years old.
Christy says
I love the idea of teaching people, especially women, how to change the oil in the car. My dad taught me before I had my license as part of the things I needed to know before driving and I have been doing it ever since (25+ years later, ouch!). If someone wants to try to do this themselves for the first time, I would encourage having a friend who changes their own oil to look over your shoulder and give guidance if needed.
For some cars the cost is about even: DYI vs mechanic. That is true of mine but for me it is more convenient to DYI because I don’t have to drive all the way to the mechanic at a day/time they have an opening. Besides I like getting my hands dirty ;D
Mavis says
I love that you still do this! Good for you. And there is something to be said about convenience!!
Lana says
Hubby changed the oil in both of our vehicles for about 36 years but for the last year or so we can always find a coupon for having it done for less than $20 so he takes it in now. I think there is a price competition on oil changes going on here and every location takes competitors coupons so we can really just go wherever we want.
Do check your cabin air filter from time to time. Last year I had an oil change guy pull it out and there was a mouse nest in it. We had been sneezing and such for months in that vehicle and were leaving on a 2500 mile trip the next day. I gladly paid to have that replaced!
Brianna says
I drive a diesel truck, so changing my own oil isn’t an option and I am mechanically challenged. But I do go on Ladies Day and save myself 10% or about $9 since it is about $90 for a change. I can go 10,000 miles or so between changes depending on how much towing I do. I also typically pay about the same for fuel at the pumps vs. unleaded because I use my Kroger card to earn points to save money off on every gallon. I usually save at a minimum $0.50/gallon when I go to fill up. I regularly shop there, take advantage of their 4x fuel point promotions, and take a receipt survey every week to accumulate the points.
Jillian says
I know how, taught the kids too. Just a fyi, keep records on oil changes if your car is still under warranty. You need proof of maintaince incase of any break down.
Carla says
Many years ago my mom took a class at the community college that taught how to change your oil. I replaced the handle on my truck tailgate when it broke. I don’t remember what the dealership quoted me but it was ludicrous. Even buying a special bit for my drill didn’t come close to the amount they wanted to charge. Plus I felt like Wonder Woman when I did it and it worked.
Mavis says
That would be such a useful class! I wonder if colleges do that anymore?
Daddio7 says
As an old farmer and mechanic I’ve done that all my life, why stop now? I do all my own repairs but the rear shocks on my wife’s 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis almost got the best of me.
VanessaKC says
When the oil is no longer honey colored, it’s time to change it.
Stephanie says
My husband just changed the oil in his car yesterday. The supplies cost $21. We used to get oil changed at Walmart which cost at least $30.
Mavis says
Nice savings. And you got to avoid the madness of Walmart!
Veronica Vatter says
Not to mention you get exactly the oil you want! Not what ever crap they bought in the big drum. A good quality oil lasts longer.
Elizabeth Vega says
Having always lived in apartments that prohibited on-site oil changes, I’ve never changed my own oil, but I do get it done at a place that does free top-offs up to 3K miles. My car’s manual suggests changes every 5K, so I stop in for a top-off at around 2,500 miles.
My husband does enjoy doing basic repairs (headlight changes, blown fuses, etc), though, and finds videos on YouTube before attempting anything new. He’s capable of more complicated work, but we’ve never had the space or the tools.
Now that we have our own house, though, I reckon oil changes at home are in our future!