$86.44 for oil change? I feel screwed

[yaris-me]

Originally Posted by RUFFSTUFF

Yeah, I just did my 5000 mile change... it was ridiculously easy and I probably could have done it without the ramps. Though I do wonder why they angled the drain plug towards the right wheel.

So you don't confuse it with transmission.

[RUFFSTUFF]

Aha! Good call...

[Twistoffate0817]

I paid 60 dollars for my synthetic oil change.

[Yawesh]

Originally Posted by behour

I have no experience with vehicles. My yaris is the first new car I bought. I sadly feel often screwed. I went to get an oil change today and was charged 86.44 for it.

Here is my questions

It was full syntetic oil. Is this the best to get or should I avoid?
I was over charged...correct? It seems ridiculously high.
My bill looks something like this

Labor 33.84
Parts 48.20
Shop Material 1.35
Sales tax 3.05
Total 86.44


This is my 2nd oil change at 10,000 miles. My first oil change I asked for syntetic from another Toyota dealer and was only charged $41.45. I was not sure if I was given full synthetic oil even when told otherwise. I was charged with "lube synthetic oil for $10.00". The bill was not clear. I have had problems with the sales department so I tried another dealer. Looks like I should of just stayed with them for a $40 dollar change in price and a 20minutes extra drive.

Any opinions and help would be great for someone as clueless as me with cars. I just want to take the best care for it you know?

everyone makes mistakes, but the point is not to do it again, aittte. best thing to make up for it is learn how to do the oil change yourself. it's really easy, in fact - i'm an oil change specialist.....and suk in everything else

[chai]

You either pay now or you pay later.

I had to invest in tools to do car work:
Ramps - $38
Jack - $96
Jack Stands - $20
Torque wrench - $15
Other tools/sockets - $20

But my oil change cost me <$25 in parts, and that was with Pennzoil Platinum synthetic and a TRD filter. Having those tools available made the decision to buy snow tires/rims and swap them out myself easier. "Free" tire rotations for life now :P

It hasn't hit -20F in WI yet, but it might. Overkill?

[sqcomp]

hmmm. The dealership I go to has never charged me that much. Why in the name of all that is holy do you need full synthetic? Does the owner's manual call for it? Sounds to me that this dealership needs to lose a customer to one that treats you with more respect and give you a quote before the job.

[supmet]

Originally Posted by chai

I had to invest in tools to do car work:
Ramps - $38
Jack - $96
Jack Stands - $20
Torque wrench - $15
Other tools/sockets - $20

A jack should be 40-50 dollars tops especially for the yaris. The torque wrench should have been more though :P

You only need a socket to do the oil, I haven't jacked it up for the last couple changes.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by b_hickman11

I actually just got finished changing my oil this morning. Took about 10 minutes and only cost me about $10. I put 5000 miles on about every 6 weeks so spending $10 each time is a lot better than $80+.

What kind of oil and filter are you using that can be had for less than $10 in total

[Yaris Hilton]

If you watch for sales at the auto stores, that's not rare.

[MadMax]

Yes, even for a dealership, that seems high; but if you include a tire rotation than it's not as bad. Still, there is a reason why many people call them “stealerships!”

As noted, you could easily save a lot of money by either doing it yourself or finding an independent shop to do the work. I change the oil in all my vehicles except for my wife's Honda Odyssey minivan (I hate working on it). It is a simple job for even the most mechanically-challenged individuals; but if you feel you can't do it yourself you might want to consider someplace other than a dealership to have it done.

And in my experience, you are not getting any higher quality service by going to a dealer. I had a free oil change and tire rotation from the dealership where I bought my Yaris, and not only did they screw up and no put synthetic in the car as I requested, the car also drove horribly after they rotated the tires. I went to a Discount Tire store on my way home and bought the lifetime rotation and balance plan for the car for about $60, and after they were done with it, it rode like it was on rails.

I am just about to do the 10K oil change on my car, should take all of 15-20 minutes even being my first time doing this on my Yaris. And no, it does not void the warranty, that is an old myth. As a matter of fact, I prefer to do my own oil changes (except for the minivan) as it is the only way I know it is done right. I do have a lot of faith and trust in the independent shop where I get most of my major repair and maintenance work done, but I know the only person I can count on to be absolutely, 100% committed to doing the work properly is myself. Also, it gives you a better understanding of your car and actually makes you feel closer to it!

Cheers! M2

[Yarrris-Wench]

Originally Posted by behour

I have no experience with vehicles. My yaris is the first new car I bought. I sadly feel often screwed. I went to get an oil change today and was charged 86.44 for it.

yes i feel your pain. I got my first oil change done @ the place i bought the car from & it was about the same about if not about 10 short of that. I can tell you one thing I'm never doing that again. lol I think i might try & learn to do it myself.

[junorico24]

U could have done it yourself..nothin to it. the hardest part is getting the yaris on the ramp.That's it, once it's up and secured (safety reason) all you need is spanner and oil pan.

[Trompi-XP9]

In germany i pay 90$ for oil change (171,45€)

[MadMax]

AutoZone has a special going right now, last night I picked up 5 liters (5.28 quarts) of Mobile 1 "Full Synthetic" 5W30 and a M1-130 filter for $29.99 + tax. That is usually the price of the oil alone. There were no signs to indicate this, but I did see it later in their current circular. This deal runs through 13 January 2010.

Cheers! M2

[CKaelin]

My local mechanic (non-dealer) $40 oil/filter and tire rotation. Non Synthetic. Maintenance Light just came on as I hit 24,500 miles last night on my 08. Have had this service every 5000 miles. =) Once I took it to the dealer and the charged my $65. Never again.

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by jambo101

What kind of oil and filter are you using that can be had for less than $10 in total

I use Mobil Clean 5000 which is $11 for 5 qts but I only use 3.8 qts. And I use a Supertech filter which is only about $2.50. So thats about $10 per change.

[Saskatchewan17]

You got screwed big time buddy... sorry to hear man. You shouldn't be charged that much for even a synthetic change.

[Thirty-Nine]

I do my own oil changes, too.

Mobil 1 oil + Purolator filter = $35. Plus, I have the satisfaction of knowing I did the work. Therefore, if something gets screwed up I get to blame myself! LOL