How much does it cost to change the oil in a car?
Content
Periodic oil changes are required. This guarantees a longer use of the car. Protects against major damage. Provides safety during the trip. How often should the oil be changed? How to choose and how much will it cost us? We answer the most important questions.
How many times do you need to change the oil?
There are no hard and fast rules on how often oil should be changed. The easiest way is when it wears out. Of course, one should not trust the oil producers too much. According to their assurances, good oil should last from 30 50 to XNUMX kilometers covered. But this is a clear exaggeration.
Engine oil should be changed after 15-20 thousand kilometers driving. Only those drivers who travel on comfortable routes that are not very demanding on the car can afford more. On the other hand, a heavily used engine requires an oil change. even after 10 kilometers. In cars that are used less, it is recommended to change the oil every year.
How much does a car inspection and maintenance cost? Check >>
Which car oil to choose?
The most important rule when choosing an oil is not to mix. In fact, the range of choice is limited by the capabilities of the engine and the requirements of the manufacturer. The criteria for navigating the world of oils are:
- viscosity level
The viscosity level is determined by two parameters - the first is determined by the winter viscosity (0W-25W), the second by the summer viscosity (W8-W60).
Low viscosity oils - Rarely used, often too watery for an average engine. Medium viscosity oils (the most popular 5w30 and 5w40 lines on the market) - suitable for most used engines. High-viscosity oils - recommended for loaded sports engines, as well as for older cars.
- quality standard
API – standards developed by the American Petroleum Institute:
- for diesel engines - standard C,
– for petrol engines – standard S.
The quality of each oil is also determined by the second letter in the standard marking, the higher it is, the better the quality of the oil - CD is higher than CC, SM is higher than SL, etc.
ACEA - standards developed by the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers:
- Standard A / B - base oils for gasoline and diesel engines;
- standard C - low-ash oils for modern diesel and gasoline engines, adapted to new exhaust gas purity standards;
- Standard E - oils for diesel engines of trucks.
- quality class, i.e. OK – differs depending on the vehicle manufacturer
Before the purchase it's best to make sure which oil is right for your car's engine. You may need to look at the service book. Ultimately, when deciding which oil to buy, one must be guided by brand trust and operating experience. And the price.
How much do individual oils cost?
When it comes to price, the biggest differences are between synthetic and mineral oils. Synthetics are the most common type of oil and the best in quality. But a liter of synthetic oil often costs twice as much as a liter of mineral oil. We will pay an average of PLN 30-35 per liter of synthetics. We can buy a liter of mineral oil for about 15 PLN. The mineral can be chosen especially in old cars with high mileage. If the car uses too much oil, you can save some money this way. If at all possible. For some types of engines, mineral oils with a certain viscosity level are simply not available.
How much does an oil and filter change cost in a workshop?
Changing the oil in the workshop is the most convenient way to take care of your car engine. As a rule, this should not be an expensive service. The mechanic will help you choose the right oil, suitable filters.
When evaluating the costs to be incurred during a workshop visit, there are several elements to consider.
First, the size of the engine. This is the most important cost factor. It is worth checking in advance how much oil can be poured into the engine so as not to be surprised in the workshop. We will buy a 4-5 liter oil bulb (which should be enough for most engines) for about PLN 100-200.. The cheapest option is to bring the oil directly to the workshop. However, this is not necessary. In the workshop, a mechanic can pour oil from a barrel into an engine. This is a product of the same quality and will be cheaper than bought in a small bubble.
Secondly, the price of filters. You also need to change the oil replace the filter. Usually it costs 20-40 PLN., although in the case of rare models, the price can reach up to PLN 150.
Thirdly, labor. Here the price range is really sensational. In a "friendly" workshop "after meeting" a locksmith can count on no more than 20-30 zlotys. The average price, depending on the region of Poland, is about 50-100 zł.. A service worth more than PLN 100 is almost a luxury.
Fourth, dealer service or independent service. Correctness is simple. At an official dealer - if we do not find shares - we will pay for the service 2 or even 3 times more than in an independent service. However, it is worth remembering that such a simple procedure as changing the oil outside the dealer service does not void the warranty.
So the price difference is huge. Depending on the model of the car, the workshop in which we will change the oil, we can pay from 150 to 500 PLN. In dealerships, the price will be at least twice as high.
Do-it-yourself oil change - is it worth it?
The process of changing the oil in a car is not particularly difficult. For seasoned DIY enthusiasts, this is a job that won't take more than an hour. Two advantages are obvious. First of all, we save money that we would have to pay for the work of a mechanic. Secondly, we are absolutely sure that the oil has been changed and the product we have chosen is really where it should be. This option is especially important for those who are not sure about the honesty of the workshop.
However, before we get to work ourselves, we must remember that this simple process requires some effort.
The first difficulty is a garage with a sewer is needed to change the oil in the car. Possibly a car jack. If we don't have either, we can rent a place in a self-service workshop. But it costs 20-50 PLN (per hour of work).
The second difficulty is the tools. We need the right set of keys and oil panto which we let the old man go. In addition to oil, a special cleaner is also useful. A one-time investment in these instruments is a minimum of PLN 150.
The third difficulty is a mess. It's not just the flooded garage, but the oil in the hair, although it's pretty annoying. Above all old oil must not be drained. It must be disposed of, i.e. handed over to a separate collection point for household waste. Some gas stations also accept used oil.
So is it worth changing the oil yourself? For those who have the time and the right conditions to do so, this can be a savings. For others, a more valuable option would be to find a good and inexpensive repair shop in your area.
Oil change - myths
As is usually the case, there are many myths and misconceptions around the simplest things. Here are some of the most popular car oil change illusions.
- No need to change oil
From time to time, Internet forums are flooded with conspiracy theories that the need for an oil change is actually a conspiracy by manufacturers to swindle money from car owners. There are legends about cars in which the oil has not been changed for several years. Of course, you can not change the oil, but the end is always the same. Instead of changing the oil, sooner or later you have to change the engine. The costs are incomparable.
Careful use of the car allows you to refuse to change the oil
This is also incorrect. Less intensive driving can extend the life of the engine oil, but even if the car is only in the garage, the oil ages. It enters into numerous chemical reactions, for example, with air. Therefore, even if the mileage counter does not reach 10 XNUMX. oil should be changed at least once a year. Two years is the absolute maximum.
Do not mix oils of different brands and types.
Of course, it is best when the lack of oil is replenished with the same type that is already in the engine. But oils do mix. If we do not have access to the same brand, it is enough to choose a product that is closest in quality and viscosity to the one already in use.
Long Life oils allow replacement after 30 thousand. kilometers
This is a myth invented by advertising specialists. The fact is that thanks to technical advances, the life of the oil is getting better, but not so much. Mileage of 30. kilometers on one batch of oil works well only in laboratory conditions. On the highway, in a crowded city, wear is much faster, unfortunately.
Black oil is used oil.
No, I just don't know. Sometimes the oil turns black after a run of several hundred kilometers. This is due to mixing with soot particles. In this case, you do not need to rush to replace.
The sponsored article was written in collaboration with vivus.pl, a website offering online loans.
