Periodic oil changes are necessary to keep your car’s optimal driving condition. If you’re in the city and need this service, you’re probably wondering, how much is an oil change in Los Angeles?
Overall, an oil change is one of the cheapest maintenance requirements for your car. However, its cost varies, depending on your car’s model, engine size, oil type, and other factors.
How often should you change your oil?
We recommend changing your vehicle’s oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. For synthetic oils, changes can be done after 15,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Still, different vehicles have different requirements. But in general, the following conditions demand frequent oil changes:
- Heavy towing
- Off-roading
- Commercial driving
- Racing
The more work you put into your car’s engine, the more frequent its oil change should be. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil change frequency.
How much does an oil change cost in Los Angeles?
An oil change in Los Angeles typically costs between $50 and $200. Also, changing a luxury car’s oil costs more than a regular Toyota.
This significant difference is due to the following factors:
The car's year, make, and model.
Newer vehicles use synthetic oils, allowing them to clock more miles before needing an oil change. However, it also means that the oil change cost would be higher than conventional oils.
Nevertheless, old cars run well on conventional oils and can be more cost-effective for some drivers.
In comparison, a conventional oil change costs around $35 to $75. Meanwhile, synthetic oil will set you back by as much as $125 or more.
Oil type
There are four main kinds of engine oil that will impact the cost of your oil change in Los Angeles. Below is a quick rundown of each one:
- Conventional oil. This is considered regular oil, which is cheaper than other types but requires more frequent changes.
- Fully synthetic oil. This oil type is more expensive but offers more mileage for your car.
- Synthetic blend oil. It’s a mixture of conventional and full synthetic oil, the middle ground of both variants in terms of pricing.
- High mileage oil. This is used for old vehicles with over 75,000 miles on their meter. It’s more expensive than conventional oils but cheaper than fully synthetic types.
Oil manufacturer
The brand of oil you’re using will directly affect the cost of your oil change.
For example, BMW engine oil costs $135 to $175, while Lexus engine oil can cost up to $180. On the other hand, a regular Toyota oil change is just $50 or even less.
If you want to save money, consider a generic brand. But if you have a luxury car, you can likely afford a costly oil change.
Engine size
The bigger the car’s engine, the more oil is needed. This is why an oil change for a 4-cylinder engine is more affordable than a 6-cylinder.
Frequency of oil changes
If you haven’t changed your engine oil in 5 years, expect a higher cost.
The technicians may have to clean the engine from all the accumulated sludge. And if your engine already sustained damage due to dirty oil, you’d have to shell out more bucks for repairs.
In the long run, diligent oil changes will help you save more money.
Your location
Where you go for an oil change will affect how much you’re going to pay.
Doing a DIY oil change is often the cheapest method. However, it means you’re going to deal with the dirty work and miss out on added value.
Most auto shops will provide a free tire pressure check or tire inspection as part of their oil change service. Also, it will save you from the hassle and the risk of ruining your car’s engine.
What happens during a car oil change?
An oil change is a basic maintenance procedure that only takes 20 to 45 minutes on average.
In general, a car oil change includes the following steps, whether for synthetic or conventional types:
- The technician hoists your car.
- The drain plug under your engine block will be removed.
- Next, the old oil is drained into a pan/basin.
- After that, the technician will remove your worn-out oil filter.
- A new filter will be placed, and the drain plug will be reinstalled.
- A fresh refill will be funneled into your oil tank.
- Lastly, the technician will check the oil level and possible leaks.
At Enzo Collision, we can perform all these steps fast and accurately. You just have to book your oil change with us, bring your car, and you’ll have it back on the road in less than an hour.
What happens if I don't change my car's oil?
Putting off an oil change for too long can wreak havoc on your vehicle. While oil changes might seem simple, they play a crucial role in your car’s performance.
Engine failure
At first, longer oil changes will cause your engine to heat up quickly. Over time, it can cause your car’s gasket to blow and engine parts to warp.
This is due to the accumulated dirt that blocks and overworks the engine. If you dodge an oil change even longer, there wouldn’t be enough lubricant for your engine, which could lead to total failure.
In the end, you’ll pay a bigger price tag for avoiding what could have been cheap oil changes. Remember that repairing a seized car engine can cost you $3,000 to $5,000 — way more than a $50 oil change at your local auto shop.
Poor vehicle performance
Over time, debris, gunk, and dust will accumulate inside your oil tank. This dirty sludge will flow through your engine, which forces it to work harder.
When this happens, your car will consume more fuel but with much less torque. This means you’ll be pumping gas more often, which isn’t cheap considering current gas prices.
Voided warranty
Brand-new cars come with warranty coverage for peace of mind. However, it’s something that you have to take care of.
Failure to change the vehicle’s oil according to the manufacturer’s guidelines could void your warranty. This strips you of protection against possible repair and maintenance costs.
Worse, delayed oil changes will put unnecessary wear and tear on your new engine. This means your car’s engine will age faster, making it prone to premature damage.
Get a quality oil change from Enzo Collision
Instead of losing your warranty coverage or having a seized engine, you should schedule period oil changes with Enzo Collision. We are a trusted car maintenance center in Los Angeles with the best price in the city.
We can change oils for all car makes and models. Our technicians only use high-quality oil refills to ensure the best engine performance every mile.
While an oil change only takes a few minutes to finish, it’s one of the most important maintenance services you should get for your car.
Keeping up with your car’s oil change schedule will save you from the hassle and expensive repairs. Your vehicle will also run cool and clean, even on rugged terrains.
But don’t stress with the elbow grease. Call us and let our expert technicians perform the oil change for you.
