Time for an oil change? You may not have the time or know-how to do it yourself, but that doesn’t mean you have to shell out wads of cash to have someone else do it.
Regular oil changes are important for several reasons. Ultimately, they’re needed in order to keep your vehicle in tip-top running condition. But yes, it can be a pain to have to take the car in and pay someone else to do the maintenance.
So if you’ve been wracking your brain about how to save money or where to cut back on expenses, why not try bringing your own oil to your appointment with the mechanic? It can’t hurt, and it just might make that little bit of difference that your budget needs.
Why you should bring your own oil for an oil change
Most people think the only reason to buy their own engine oil for their vehicle would be if they wanted to change the oil themselves to avoid paying someone else to do it.
And this is mostly true. If you have the time, space, and resources, doing an oil change on your own vehicle will always be the most economical choice.
But many of us don’t have this option.
Doing your own oil change… think about it…
Changing your own oil can be a huge pain.
First, you have to learn how to do it. This part probably isn’t that difficult, thanks to YouTube, but it does still take time.
You’ll need the oil change materials
Then you’ll have to buy the necessary tools and materials, including:
- oil,
- filter,
- funnel,
- wrench,
- gloves,
- drain pan,
- a jack or ramp for the car, and
- a replacement drain plug washer.
Now, looking solely at the cheapest options from Canadian Tire, which is a convenient and reasonably priced option for many Canadians – nevermind the cash back you could earn with a Triangle Mastercard – we’ve created this table to display what the cost would be if you had to buy these materials for a DIY job.
| Necessary item | Canadian Tire item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | MotoMaster Non-Detergent Motor Oil, 946-mL (x5) | $34.95 |
| Filter | K&N Powersport Oil Filter | $9.99 |
| Funnel | Plastic Funnel | $4.29 |
| Wrench | Mastercraft Wide-Jaw Adjustable Wrench, 6-in | $4.99 |
| Gloves | FRANK Latex Gloves | $2.79 |
| Drain pan | Round Oil Dran Pan, 8.3-L | $9.49 |
| Jack | MotoMaster 2-Ton Hydraulic Bottle Jack | $20.99 |
| Drain plug washer | ValvoMax Quick Twist Oil Drain System | $59.99 |
| Total: $147.48 |
Note: These prices may vary by location. All numbers here are pre-tax and were accessed on January 4, 2023.
On top of these costs, and perhaps most importantly, you’ll have to find an environmentally responsible way to dispose of the oil.
And you’ll need ample space to do the oil change
Of course, none of this will even be possible if you don’t have the space to do it. If you live in an apartment with underground parking, for instance, you likely won’t have the space. Or if you’re in an especially urban area with limited outdoor space.
Even if you have a large home in the country, maybe your driveway is filled with other vehicles, kids’ toys, or who knows what else. Many people simply don’t have the space to do an oil change themselves.
Have you thought about how long a DIY oil change would take?
And then there’s the aspect of time.
When exactly are you supposed to find time to do your own oil change? Yes, it does take time to bring your car over to the shop for the mechanic to do it, but this is usually much less time and effort than if you were to do the service yourself.
And your time is valuable!
DIY oil changes aren’t necessary – but it’ll cost you
But thanks to our trusty neighbourhood mechanics, we don’t have to do these jobs on our own, no matter how simple they are.
And the truth is, most mechanic shops and dealerships will allow you to bring your own oil if you simply ask. They’ll usually charge less for the oil change since they’re removing the cost of the bulk oil they normally put into your car.
Going with the same example used in our article about rust proofing, we got some quotes on a synthetic oil change for a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe.
| Location | Shop | Standard price (before tax) | Price when bringing oil (before tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | Mr. Lube | $100 | $40 |
| Montreal | Midas | $85 | $50 |
| Hamilton | Jiffy Lube | $99.99 | $57.99 |
| Calgary | OK Tire | $115 | $86 |
| Victoria | Great Canadian Oil Change | $68.90 | $63.60* |
| Average: $93.78 | Average: $59.46 |
Note: The garage in Victoria charges $50 plus the price of the filter. The price of a filter for a 2020 Santa Fe with a 2.4L engine is around $16
As you can see with this price comparison, there’s a wide range of numbers here. But whether you’re shelling out $78 or $115, it’s a chunk of change you’d likely rather not have to part with.
If you ultimately decide you do want to bring your own oil, you’re looking at an average savings of $34.32.
Oil change tip: the best place to buy oil
If you’re using standard engine oil and buying it at the regular price at an auto parts store or even through some cheap online shopping, you’re likely not going to save money by providing your own oil for the service.
Instead, purchase synthetic oil at a good price and watch the savings add up.
Where to buy your motor oil
Here are a few of the best places for buying motor oil.
| Retailer | Brand/type | Size | Price | Price per 100ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | Kirkland Signature 5W30 Full Synthetic Oil for Automobile | 4.73L (x2 jugs) | $49.99 | $0.53 |
| Walmart | Pennzoil Platinum 5W40 Euro | 5L | $34.97 | $0.70 |
| Amazon | Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic 5W-30 | 5L | $31.99 | $0.64 |
| Canadian Tire | Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Synthetic Motor Oil | 4.73L | $58.99 | $1.25 |
Not surprisingly, Costco is your best and cheapest option here, with Amazon coming in as a close second.
Do the oil change math
Who knew that an oil change would require math? Let’s take a look at the numbers.
The amount of oil your vehicle needs will depend on the size of its engine, but most will take about 4.73 litres. If you purchase the Kirkland brand from Costco for $49.99 ($25 per bottle), you’ll have enough for 2 oil changes.
However, if you look at our examples above, you’re going to pay around $59.46 for the service when you bring the oil yourself. You’re saving $34.32, but you paid $25 for that oil.
In this scenario, the total amount of your savings is $34.46.
However, if you can find oil on sale somewhere or simply listed at a better price, your savings will grow even more. And if you take your car to a smaller, mom-and-pop-style garage, they probably won’t charge as much for the oil change anyway, so you’ll save money here too.
The bottom line: Your oil change, your money
At the end of the day, whether or not you’ll save money by bringing your own oil to an oil change service appointment depends on several factors.
What do you think? Is it worth it?
Or have you found other ways or sources for getting better prices on your oil? What about the oil change itself?
We’re dying to know, so tell us all about it in the comment section below.
FAQ
Can I bring my own oil to my mechanic for an oil change?
Yes, you can bring your own oil. Most mechanics, garages, and dealerships will allow you to bring your own oil, and the cost of the oil change will be reduced. It’s a handy way to save on your car maintenance bills.
What will I save for an oil change service if I bring my own oil?
It’s hard to say exactly how much you’ll save by doing this. It really depends on the initial price that your mechanic charges for the service. In our research, we found that mechanic shops that do give a discount for bringing your own oil will charge about $59.46 – and the cheapest oil we found would mean you’d save about $34. But if you can get cheaper oil or a cheaper service price, you’ll save much more.
Where can I get an oil change near me?
To find a nearby mechanic to do an oil change for you, simply do a Google search for auto repair shops in your area. You’ll want to look at the ratings for each option and give them a call to see what they charge for oil changes. While you have them on the phone, ask about discounts for bringing your own oil.
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Comments
They certainly have the right to refuse, but there are a ton of places that won't have a problem with you bringing your own.