Oil Changes—Less Frequency and Less Money

Changing your oil is a straightforward process, but costs vary widely throughout Bridgewater from a low of $19.99 to a high of $34.95 [and this last one was the only one that didn’t include the filter in the price, so it would actually cost more].

It definitely pays to shop around, since you can save over 40 percent in some places, as we found.

As to when oil needs to be changed, opinions vary.

My father, who is not a mechanic but maintained all of our family’s cars [all of which survived at least a decade], always said oil should be changed every 5,000 miles, while the filter could be done every other time.

On the other hand, I called a friend who is a licensed diesel mechanic in Central Jersey, and he just told me that he adheres to the every 3,000-mile rule, which is echoed by most major service stations. 

In an article entitled, “Stop Changing Your Oil,” posted here on Edmunds.com [worth a read], the author states, “Among 2010 models, the average recommended oil change interval, based on a normal service schedule, is about 7,800 miles—more than double the traditional 3,000-mile interval. The longest oil change interval is 20,000 miles, for all Porsches.”

The article urges everyone to look at their owner's manuals, since it’s likely you may need less oil changes than the window sticker from your local service station suggests. So there’s the possibility that you can save some money with oil change frequency depending on your specific vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations.

Here’s the deal with my survey of oil change prices in and around Bridgewater: