Dealership oil change price

[ChiTDI]

Cost is probably locale specific.
Local Chrysler dealer here gets $89.95 for 5 quarts of PP and a Mopar cartridge filter installed. End of story.
“You can make an appointment at the service writer’s desk, there are only four people ahead of you.”

 

[Blagoje]

And many people have meltdowns over that price or call it a rip-off or criminal. But do the simple math (using retail prices): $50 - $25 (oil) - $5 (filter) = $25 for labor, overhead, etc. You can be sure that shops aren't rolling in $$$ doing $50 oil changes. Oil and filter doesn't cost them that much ? So what... They're a business in a capitalist economy and that's how they operate. DIY for "a lot less" ? Go for it. A lot of people can't DIY or don't want to DIY.

In my experience this is not about any dealership overcharging but rather about customers being too cheap. I would have someone tell me that my dealership is charging them too much because they could do it themselves for much less, however, they cannot or do not want to do it themselves thus the dealership should lower their price because the customer could do it for less if the customer had the willingness and/or ability to do it... BUT THEY DON'T. It's cognitive dissonance at its finest and usually it's more about the customer wanting to complain because in some twisted way they feel gratified as a result of their complaining even if they do not get what they want because they know that no complaining will get them what they want.

 

[vw7674]

What........ some of you NEVER owned a business? So you run all dealerships together in your comments without knowing their operating expenses? . You do realize each one is an INDEPENDENT business right? And in such there is a cost to run a business?

Sorry BUT it really bothers me on almost every forum in either off topic threads or specific threads commonly on auto forums if a dealership or service shop comes up in the conversation you all think they are over priced. And some even feel getting ripped off?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SERVICE OR PRICES OF LABOR OR PARTS FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PATRONIZE!

by the time you realize their work is substandard, (usually after a defect-laden timing belt change) the vehicle needs another cylinder head & a few hours of your own labor to set right. At that point, you write them & their 'authorized' dealership & that manufacturer off for the rest of your life.
You usually don't notice inept scammers beforehand, or you wouldn't get scammed in the first place.

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

They charge that because they have customers lining up to have the work done.

Had to look back and make sure this wasn’t an old thread and I didn’t post this. This is what I’ve been telling people for years.

 

[CharlesInCharge]

For a very busy person who earns decent money, $70 is not an unreasonable retail price for a dealership OC which includes a bunch of other topoffs and freebies. I remember when I was working 80+ hours per week, and did not have the time/energy/interest to do my own OC.

I'd take it to WM, and do my shopping in the 1 hour it took them to do the OC. I was comfortable paying I think around $50-60 for that service so I could multi-task. When you're working that much you just don't have time and need to be efficient.

If you were to walk in and buy oil retail, you'd be looking at $5 per qt. Say 6 qts, it's $30 + $10 for a filter, so $40 in materials. Then you're paying $20 for labor. And all the mountains of overhead, liability, records keeping, etc. That's not an unreasonable retail price.

Now due to Covid, work from home, self employment, etc. I have far more time and ability to do my own OCs. Bulk and sale purchases have allowed me to basically now drive my oil price down to about $1 per oil change, add $5-10 for a filter. So I can do my own, for about $1-10 depending on the car and if I replace the filter.

 

[c502cid]

Has anyone noticed Denny's is a rip off! I can buy eggs for $1.29 a dozen, a whole pack of bacon for $3.00, and bread.... Bread it's $1 for a whole loaf! I'm going into Denny's with my own stuff. I think $3 for labor is fair. Maybe $2 since they get someone to recycle their cooking grease.

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SERVICE OR PRICES OF LABOR OR PARTS FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PATRONIZE!

Sure, Thanks. Found it. It's me. DIY. There are lots of me.

 

[KGMtech]

My wife prefers to have paperwork for the service on her 2017 Rogue, so dealer does the oil changes. 0W20 Synthetic change for $71 CAD out the door. Not too bad by comparison to others, but still about $25 CAD more than it would cost me to DIY.

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

Has anyone noticed Denny's is a rip off! I can buy eggs for $1.29 a dozen, a whole pack of bacon for $3.00, and bread.... Bread it's $1 for a whole loaf! I'm going into Denny's with my own stuff. I think $3 for labor is fair. Maybe $2 since they get someone to recycle their cooking grease.

You’re not buying a pack of bacon for $3. More like $10 for anything edible. Eggs are $2.50 or more a s dozen. Bread is nearly $3 a loaf. You forgot $1 of butter, $1.5 in syrup, plates, silverware, etc.

But I know and see your point.

the main problem with some of the responders to these threads is they go and have this stuff done at the dealers, come back home and read how I’ve done an oil change on my Tundra with a OEM filter for $25, when the Toyota dealers are getting $125, but “inspecting” stuff too.

They haven’t invested in the education, tools, accessories and general awareness of doing their own work, they think the poor people that _have_ to do manual, dirty labor to get by should be paid next to nothing.

But the want the best possible job by the most experienced, knowledgeable technician the dealer has to do the simplest maintenance on their baby.

 

[edyvw]

The Hyundai dealer I use was charging $49.95 for semi-Syn and a filter.
Now it's $69.95.
Also they have 15,000 mile service for $350 now what can they do to a 15000 mile car to justify that cost?
Is this nuts or is it me?
We got a free oil change book when we got the car so my cost is 0.

I think Winslow BMW in COS charges $99 for an oil change, fully synthetic, of course as that is what BMW's use last 25 years, and definitely more oil in the sump.
So, my conclusion is that management came to the conclusion that they can charge those prices and no one will object.

 

[CKN]

These threads pop up every week or two-with the exact same comments. Don't want to pay the Dealer? DO IT YOURSELF!

 

[CKN]

It makes you wonder what service a car with 15000 miles would actually need.

Probably nothing......that's why when I take my truck in....I say "just change the oil". The Dealer has a maintenance package no matter what kind of miles your vehicle has. ALL TOGETHER NOW-TO THE DEALER..."Can we all say NO THANK YOU?"

 

[Hall]

You’re not buying a pack of bacon for $3. More like $10 for anything edible. Eggs are $2.50 or more a s dozen. Bread is nearly $3 a loaf.

I agree with you on the price of bacon not being $3 but in stores around here, the "better" stuff will be $7-8 for a package, not $10. No, it's not like bacon you'd get at a butcher either. Store-brand loaf of bread is $1 or $2 if you want Wonder, Butternut, Klosterman (these may be regional brands some never heard of and I'd call them mid-grade bread). Dozen eggs are between $1 and $1.50. I can buy a dozen eggs from a neighboring farm for $2.50-$3 around here.

 

[Hall]

I would have someone tell me that my dealership is charging them too much because they could do it themselves for much less, however, they cannot or do not want to do it themselves thus the dealership should lower their price because the customer could do it for less if the customer had the willingness and/or ability to do it... BUT THEY DON'T.

My response to that is, if you can do it cheaper, do it. "But I can't". Then shut up and pay and don't say a peep about the cost. If you don't like that pricing, do it yourself. "But I can't". People like that would argue in circles if you played along...

 

[CharlesInCharge]

These threads pop up every week or two-with the exact same comments. Don't want to pay the Dealer? DO IT YOURSELF!

True, but I don't mind the dialogue. Like all forums, if you don't want to play, don't read/respond to a conversation. I do understand it's sometimes tedious to read, but then just unplug for awhile and go outside.

It should come at no surprise to anyone that when you go for retail services, they are going to expect retail pricing on supplies and to pay their labor and overhead. It is puzzling to think a retail oil change would not be at least fifty bucks. The retail on the oil and filter are at least 1/2 that. I'd honestly expect to pay a highly competent person $75 for parts and labor to do a professional oil change today for a typical vehicle.

They have to either have a lift or a well, which is expensive and I don't have. Or they have to crawl under it on ramps or jacks, which is a hassle. It's a messy job and I've never been able to avoid oil spilt somewhere no matter how careful I am. I recently spilled a 1-2 quarts on the cement when my Mityvac got away from me and spewed oil everywhere. Huge mess. Then I was trying to evacuate it into a jug, and it spilled another quart again. Massive mess. So I have cat litter on hand and use it nearly every time. There's the oil disposal hassle, pouring it back into containers, taking it to the disposal. There's costs/hassles in stocking oil and filters... All of that really adds up and many benefit from just driving to a shop and having a coffee and catching up on work or internet browsing for 30 minutes while the OC is done. That convenience is worth at least $75.

 

[Krieg]

What........ some of you NEVER owned a business? So you run all dealerships together in your comments without knowing their operating expenses? . You do realize each one is an INDEPENDENT business right? And in such there is a cost to run a business?

Sorry BUT it really bothers me on almost every forum in either off topic threads or specific threads commonly on auto forums if a dealership or service shop comes up in the conversation you all think they are over priced. And some even feel getting ripped off?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SERVICE OR PRICES OF LABOR OR PARTS FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PATRONIZE!

It's the internet. Everyone is entitled to his/her/it's opinion! USA = Capitalism! Guess, it depends what part of the country you live etc.

 

[01rangerxl]

What........ some of you NEVER owned a business? So you run all dealerships together in your comments without knowing their operating expenses? . You do realize each one is an INDEPENDENT business right? And in such there is a cost to run a business?

Sorry BUT it really bothers me on almost every forum in either off topic threads or specific threads commonly on auto forums if a dealership or service shop comes up in the conversation you all think they are over priced. And some even feel getting ripped off?

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE SERVICE OR PRICES OF LABOR OR PARTS FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO PATRONIZE!

Yeah if there's one thing we don't make money on, it's oil changes.

Oh, and tires. Please, please, please just go to a tire store.

 

[bdcardinal]

Yeah if there's one thing we don't make money on, it's oil changes.

Oh, and tires. Please, please, please just go to a tire store.

I loathe tires, no money in it. I have a somewhat decent on hand inventory, but it is never what people want or think they want.

 

[Zaedock]

I dropped my F150 off at my dealer to balance my oversize tires and update the ECM for the speed sensor TSB.

I had them do an oil change while it was in as I didn't have time and was heading up North to go ATV'n.
They charged me $50.00 for 6 qts of Motorcraft 5W20 SB and a MC filter. A great deal, IMO!

 

[Bud]

Has anyone noticed Denny's is a rip off! I can buy eggs for $1.29 a dozen, a whole pack of bacon for $3.00, and bread.... Bread it's $1 for a whole loaf! I'm going into Denny's with my own stuff. I think $3 for labor is fair. Maybe $2 since they get someone to recycle their cooking grease.

You shopping at the Dollar Tree?