Best Place For Oil Changes: Dealer Versus Chain Shop

Finding the Best Place For Oil Changes: From a Pro’s Point of View

I get asked this question often, and my answer is always the same: the dealer is the best place for oil changes. If you own a late-model car that requires synthetic oil, the going rate for oil changes is around $80 to $100 at a dealer or independently owned shop. You’ll pay about the same at a quick lube shop (unless you have a coupon). Given that the prices are similar, getting your oil changed at the dealer or a locally independently owned shop is always the better choice. Here’s why.

Here’s why I recommend the dealer for your oil changes

• Dealers know your vehicle, so they make fewer mistakes
A dealer lube technician works on the same brand day in and day out. They have the proper tools and oil filter wrenches for your vehicle. They know how to remove and replace the engine undercover, and they tighten the fasteners and oil filter to the specified torque. I’m not saying they don’t make mistakes; they do. But they make far fewer mistakes than the quick-lube techs who work on 20 different vehicles in a single day.

• They use a factory oil filter
• They use the factory-recommended oil

Oil filter quality counts!

Dealers use an OE filter. Independently-owned shops source their filters

Economy oil filter with nitrile anti-drain back valve versus a premium filter with a silicone anti-drain back valve

from a local auto parts store. But quick lube chains buy their filters in bulk from the lowest-priced manufacturer. In many cases, the filters are of lower quality.

Here’s why I think chain quick lube places are the worst places for oil changes

They have low-quality technicians
You don’t need any formal automotive training to get a job as a lube technician at a quick-lube shop. If you have a pulse, you can get a job. You’ll get some oil change training, but you’ll get more training on how to upsell customers than on how to do the work. Here’s an example of the kinds of problems you’re likely to encounter from a quick lube shop. Given the risk, why would anybody go there for an oil change?

They have incredible turnover and poor morale because it’s a high stress low paying job
Quick lube shops promise quick oil changes, which means their techs have to crank out your oil change in 15 minutes or less. It’s a high-stress job with low pay and no opportunity for advancement.

Quick lube shops recommend fluid changes far more often than the carmaker’s recommendation
Chain-operated shops don’t follow the car maker’s recommended maintenance schedule. In fact, they recommend fluid changes far more often than the car maker. In some cases, the fluid changes they recommend aren’t even recommended by the car maker.

Chain-operated shops use cheaper “universal fluids” that don’t meet the carmaker’s specs
It’s been my experience that even when the fluid change is proper, quick lube shops often use cheaper “universal” fluids rather than the car maker’s recommended fluids. Just for the record, no car maker approves of these “universal” fluids. That can put you in an awkward spot if you ever experience a failure caused by the wrong fluid.

For example, if you have an extended warranty, the warranty company may refuse to pay the claim if the shop uses a universal fluid.

Bottom line: In my opinion, chain-operated oil change quick-lube places are the worst places for oil changes on your vehicle.

©, 2016 Rick Muscoplat