How Long Does It Take to Get Your Oil Changed? The Process Explained

 

Is it time for an oil change? Are you just not sure which route to go? Should you go to an express lube and have it done literally as you drive through, or do you take chances on getting it into a mechanic and hope you don’t have a whole slew of expenses added to your bill? Or maybe you want to DIY it and spend some time in your driveway in coveralls and safety glasses.

 

No matter which way you decide to go for an oil change – whether your vehicle runs on synthetic oil or conventional motor oil – each option is a good choice. And the process is going to be exactly the same. The difference is going to be in the time it takes to get it done, the equipment used, and how much effort you have to put into it.

 

In this article, we will discuss the different ways you can get your oil changed, how you can do it yourself, and why the process is so important.

 

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Oil Changed?

 

How long it takes for you to have your oil changed will mostly depend on who is doing the work. You can have the job done through your local mechanic, a lube station, or you can change your oil yourself.

 

If you decide to take your car to a professional lube station to get the oil changed for you, the process will usually only take you about 15 minutes. However, that doesn’t account for the wait time if you go on a busy day.

 

If you go to a mechanic, you may have to schedule a drop-off and pick-up time. If you get lucky and can simply wait around, it could take up to an hour.

 

The Process of Getting Your Oil Changed at a Lube Center

 

The best thing about a lube center is that you don’t need an appointment. You will pull up to the building facing the garage door. You will then be instructed to enter the garage, and they will escort you directly over an under port where the work will be taking place.

 

The attendant will take your information and the information related to your vehicle and enter it into the system. This helps identify the type of oil and filter your vehicle needs, and it keeps the specifics in their system, helping them identify the last time your oil was changed or your vehicle was maintained.

 

You will sit inside the vehicle as the mechanics are working underneath, and you can expect the job to be finished up in about 10-15 minutes. During this time, you will also be asked to turn on and off your headlights, taillights, and brake lights, and your car will be put on a scanner to check for any other errors.

 

Once your oil change is complete, you will be informed if any other issues were found, pay for the service, and simply pull away.

 

The Process of Getting Your Oil Changed at a Mechanic

 

While the actual action, and most of the equipment used to change your oil at the mechanic, will be very similar to the lube center, and the process will look a lot different. Most mechanics require an appointment before you can have your oil changed unless you want to risk sitting around for hours, hoping they will have time to fit you in.

 

Once you get your vehicle to the shop, you will either drop it off and wait for a call to come back or be asked to sit in the waiting area while the job is completed.

 

Both of these options will give you peace of mind knowing the job was completed by professionals, and that high-tech quality industry-standard tools were being used. On the other hand, you will pay more money because of the cost of labor, and you have to find time to take your car to the shop.

 

How Long Does it Take to Change Your Oil?

 

Now, if you decide you want to change your oil by yourself, the amount of time it will take will depend on how familiar you are with the process. On average, it will take you about 30-45 minutes to get through the process from start to finish.

 

If you are interested in changing your own oil but not entirely sure how to go about it, here are some simple steps to follow to help you out.

 

Step 1 – Prepare the Vehicle and Your Equipment

Make sure you are parked in a safe location where you can stay for the entire time without any trouble. Make sure you have all the tools and equipment needed to complete the job. This includes oil, gloves, protective glasses, drain pan, a new filter, and tools.

 

Step 2 – Place the Oil Pan Under Neath the Oil Drain Plug

When you are ready to drain the oil, place the oil pan under the oil drain plug, which is a square nut at the lowest point of the oil pan, located underneath the engine block.

 

With a wrench, loosen the drain plug and allow all of the old dirty oil to empty into the oil pan on the ground. Make sure the oil stays confined into the oil pan and doesn’t get onto the ground, as oil will seep into the soil and pollute water sources.

 

Draining your oil can take between 15-20 minutes, even longer if it’s been a while since you last changed your oil and the lubricant is thick and sludgy.

 

Step 3 – Replace the Drain Plug

Once you are confident all of the oil has been drained from the oil pan, replace any gaskets if needed and place the drain plug into its original spot.

 

Step 4 – Remove the Oil Filter

The oil filter is going to be a metal cylinder attached to your engine. The location of the filter will depend on the vehicle, but it’s pretty easy to locate if you know what you are looking for.

 

Once it is located, move the oil pan underneath the filter to catch any leftover oil that had stuck inside the part, then unscrew it by twisting it counterclockwise until it is off of the block. Then, allow the filter to completely drain before you toss it. (This can take up to 24 hours)

 

Step 5 – Attach the New Filter

Now you can easily place the new filter into place by carefully screwing it onto the block, twisting it clockwise. Be careful you do not overdo it. Or you can cross threads, but the filter will be tough to remove following the oil change.

 

Step 6 – Add the New Oil

As long as you are sure everything is tightened and sealed, you can go ahead and open the hood, locate the filler hole (filler neck), and pour the recommended amount of new oil lubricant inside.

 

Step 7 – Check the Oil Dip Stick

Check the dipstick after the oil has been added to the car to be sure you have put the right amount in; if the oil is under the minimum line, you will need to add more.

 

Step 8 – Do a Proper Clean Up

As mentioned, the oil cannot be dumped on the ground, nor should it ever seep into the dirt. Once you are done changing the oil and filter, make sure all of the dirty oil is in a tightly sealed container and disposed of properly.

 

Where to Find the Right Type of Oil for Your Car

 

You can locate information on what type of oil you need by reading through your owner’s manual or contacting your dealership. You can also find it when purchasing the oil and filter by looking through the guide provided by the store.

 

While it may not seem very important to you, the type of oil you put in your car is going to make a big difference in its performance due to the thickness and viscosity that is required for your specific engine.

 

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

 

Although you have probably been hearing for many years that you should change your car oil every 3,000 miles, that is no longer the recommended requirement suggested by most automotive professionals.

 

With better technology in vehicles and higher performance oils, you really shouldn’t have to change your lubricant for 5,000-10,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and the terrain you typically drive on.

 

Where Can I Go to Have My Oil Changed?

 

You can take your vehicle to just about any mechanic to have your oil changed. However, there are many popular places that only accommodate oil changes, and here are a few of the more popular options located all over the U.S.:

 

• Pennzoil
• Jiffy Lube
• Valvoline
• Express oils
• Walmart
• Quaker State
• Good Year

 

To find a quick oil change location near you, simply do an easy search online.

 

Summing Things Up

Getting your oil change doesn’t take very much time at all. If you are comfortable with doing it yourself, you could save time and money. However, if you are not familiar with the process, going to a professional will reduce the chances of a significant problem occurring.

 

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