On some of the cars I work on, I use a similar approach, but sometimes find that Quaker State, Pennzoil and Valvoline are even a few cents less on Amazon, and often less than Amazon Basics. (try to stay Green whenever I can)
The economical oil change: A modest proposal for a Litmus Test
- Thread starter TomYoung
- Start date
Funny thing, my dad's doge torbuh diesel from 03 is the simplest oil change. The drain plug is 3/8 square so a ratchet fits in it, and a 5gal bucket fits under the drain hole. Oil cap is front and center. The oil filter is in a dumb spot though
yeah i was making an example of labor drain time of 12 quarts vs 5 quarts, probably only seconds but free labor time is money. oh wait.. what am i talking about?? its friday. Happy Friday!
Great deal on QSAD, but I am pretty sure that is not a synthetic oil, although in your case perfectly suited to the purpose. But you are in an interesting place, where you get some dirt-cheap oil, but dare I say, splurge on the filters!
The hard part for me is getting the time to make it a relevant thing to do.
When you own a dealership, everything just comes and goes. I like to do maintenance when I can. But between getting oil changes for $25 at two different places for vehicles that never need to be done again, I'm stuck with too much unused oil and filters.
If I ever walk away from it all, I'll have all the time in the world. Now not so much.
When you own a dealership, everything just comes and goes. I like to do maintenance when I can. But between getting oil changes for $25 at two different places for vehicles that never need to be done again, I'm stuck with too much unused oil and filters.
If I ever walk away from it all, I'll have all the time in the world. Now not so much.
Lets make the game how much you spend in 20,000 miles...
Is that at one specific dealer or any dealer?
Hmm, well, I do 5,000 mile intervals on most of my vehicles, so as cheap as $6 ( "free" oil and $1.50 for the filters already in my stash) to $120 (Mobil 1 HM for $20 and a $10 filter) for 4 changes.
I bought my RAM at Bayshore CJD in Baytown in 2019. They made me a fantastic deal. I drove out in a mid trim extended cab RAM for less than 25K. They wanted to sell me the maintenance package, but I politely told them no, it just wasn't going to work for me. They asked "what would?" so I told them 5000 mile O&F changes for $20 each. They agreed. I do think it was specific to Bayshore, just based on our negation.
I bought the 2017 Ford Fiesta from Friendly Ford in Crosby after the great Harvey flood when I lost all my vehicles. They too made me an incredible deal. I drove out with a mid trim Fiesta for less than $14,500.
I would highly recommend Bayshore in Baytown or Friendly Ford in Crosby to anyone. Good people!
I found a wholesaler that sales to the public in Houston:
https://www.gxoil.org/
Address: 1335 Boyles St, Houston, TX 77020
Phone: (832) 431-9821
I am on his email list, he always has some leftover / closeout super deals.
Please add a green plus category:
I buy the 5 quart jug of SuperTech High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 for $17.98 (18.98 - $1 cash back from 5% Walmart credit card). It has more anti-wear (phosphorous and zinc) and more detergent (calcium) additives than many name brands. This oil also has the GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 approval which places stricter limits for sludge and deposits that cause varnish than the regular API SP limits. It's marketed as a 10,000 mile oil.
$3.50 for Fram Extraguard PH7317 from Amazon with subscribe and save price. Filter Efficiency is 95%+ @ > 20 microns. It's marketed as a 10,000 mile oil filter.
Total: 21.48 + tax. Why pay more?
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I think you are not only "Green Plus" but within the rules of the game, currently winning. One problem is that with Green Plus at $25, there is another area between $25 and $30. Did not know that that oil met Dexos 1 Gen 3 specs. This is what I was hoping for in suggesting this game. Plenty of folks out there are paying near twice what you are for no gain.
Thanks Tom. I have 4 vehicles, and 3 out of 4 of them are doing 20k distance travelled per year each.
The engines are all Honda J35A7 with VCM enabled which are very hard on the oil due to extreme high temperatures on the front cylinder heads and an inadequately designed PCV valve.
I was doing 4k/6 monnth OCI's, but decided to extend it to 5k/6 months to reduce my oil change costs.
I've calculated that extending the OCI to 5k mikes / 6 months will save me $500 total over the next 5 years.
My thinking is the GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 approved oils should be able to withstand a 5K OCI on these engines.
I've intentionally upped the viscosity to 5W-30 which should also reduce the chance of varnish versus 20 weight oils with the extreme heat on the front cylinder heads.
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I fall into the Green territory except for the new Rav4 Hybrid -- that flips me to blue. I purchase oil when it is rebated or reduced in price. Jumped on the Chevron Supreme deal the other year, the RGT the other year, Amazon Basics deal this year and recently the Quartz. I have a very nice accumulated stash and even try to get my oil filters at Walmart when there on rollback if I can. Nothing wrong in my opinion with the Super Tech line of oil filters also for the money.
No. I don't want to encourage people to relocate as a strategy to win this game.
I feel GREEN!!!
I haven't paid more than $14 for oil/filter for any of my cars in over 5 years, but the total is usually under $10 per car after rebates etc.
Honda Odyssey: 4.5 qts $9; filter under $5 (Fram orange or something from Rock Auto). Whatever oil is on sale and/or rebate for net $2/qt or less. I currently have about 7 jugs of Castrol, Pennzoil, Valvoline, and M1 left in the stash.
Cadillac CTS: 6 qts $6; filter is usually $6 for STP, but I recently bought a 6 pack of ACDelco ($2.50 each) so the oil changes from now on will be under $10. I have about 12 jugs of the $1/qt Magnatec left in my stash, along with some M1 and Valvoline that i found on clearance at Lowes.
Toyota Matrix: 4.5 qts $4.50 (Magnatec etc mentioned above; filter is under $5 (Fram orange or supertech).
I haven't paid more than $14 for oil/filter for any of my cars in over 5 years, but the total is usually under $10 per car after rebates etc.
Honda Odyssey: 4.5 qts $9; filter under $5 (Fram orange or something from Rock Auto). Whatever oil is on sale and/or rebate for net $2/qt or less. I currently have about 7 jugs of Castrol, Pennzoil, Valvoline, and M1 left in the stash.
Cadillac CTS: 6 qts $6; filter is usually $6 for STP, but I recently bought a 6 pack of ACDelco ($2.50 each) so the oil changes from now on will be under $10. I have about 12 jugs of the $1/qt Magnatec left in my stash, along with some M1 and Valvoline that i found on clearance at Lowes.
Toyota Matrix: 4.5 qts $4.50 (Magnatec etc mentioned above; filter is under $5 (Fram orange or supertech).
I dont what it costs. 650HP Mercedes, 600hp Civic, costs what it costs. Mobil 1 0w40 is cheap though, but I dont use it lol
I know that I am not in contention here, but just bought multiple 5 qt Quaker State full syn @ $22.97 and a bunch of Ecogard filters for $2.75 each. That's a total of $25.72 for an oil change.
Kirkland brand synthetic at my Costco is currently $30.99 for two Jugs.
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