(updated 3/16/17)
I know I am very guilty about not changing my oil enough. I know that changing my oil as experts recommend (every 3 months or 3,000 miles) will help improve the condition of my car and prevent breakdowns. However, it seems as if time and money always keep me from doing it on a regular basis. So I have tackled the money problem by investigating what a standard oil change really costs and by finding out who has the best deals. I have researched several nationwide chains and one local repair shop to compare.
FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE
Prices:
Standard: $37.98 + tax
Coupons:
There is a monthly coupon right now on their website. For all current coupons click here. You can also sign up on this page for their email list to receive specials and coupons.
Locations:
Firestone has more than 1700 locations nationwide.
Firestone current low price with coupon = $22.98 + tax (with March 2017 = $15 off coupon)
JIFFY LUBE
Prices:
Standard Oil Change: $41.99 + tax
Coupons:
$5 coupon right now on their website. For all Jiffy Lube coupons click here.
Locations:
Jiffy Lube has more than 2,000 service centers in North America.
Jiffy Lube current low price with coupon = $36.99 + tax (with March 2017 = $5 off coupon)
DOBBS TIRE & AUTO
Prices:
Standard Oil Change: $34.95 + tax
Coupons:
There is a special right now on their website – $21.95 oil change. For all their current specials click here. You can also sign up for their email list to receive specials and coupons.
Locations:
Dobbs has 40 locations in the St. Louis Metro area, St. Charles County and some of Illinois.
Dobbs current low price with coupon = $21.95 + tax (with March 2017 = $21.95 coupon)
MIDAS
Prices:
Standard Oil Change: $29.95 + tax
Coupons:
The coupons vary by location. The website lets you print coupons for the location of your choice. You can also sign up for their email list to receive specials and coupons.
Locations:
Midas has locations in North America, Central America, Africa, Asia/Pacific, and Europe.
Midas current low price with coupon = $19.99 + tax (with March 2017 coupon for location nearest to me St. Louis)
VALVOLINE
Prices:
Standard Oil Change (full-service): $42.99
Coupons:
The coupons vary by location. You must type on your zip code on their website to pull up coupons for locations near you.
Locations:
Valvoline has more than 1070 franchised and corporate oil change locations across the country.
Valvoline current low price with coupon = $37.99 + tax (with March 2017 = $5 off coupon for a location nearest me in St. Louis)
THE BEST DEALS for Standard Oil Changes:
- Midas current low price with March 2017 coupon = $19.99 + tax
- Dobbs current low price with March 2017 coupon = $21.95 + tax
- Firestone current low price with March 2017 coupon = $22.98 + tax
- Jiffy Lube current low price with March 2017 coupon = $36.99 + tax
- Valvoline current low price with March 2017 coupon = $37.99 + tax
FOR MORE COUPONS
You can also look at Valpak.com for coupons for many repair/oil change companies and locations near you. For more ideas on where to find great coupons for a variety of products, see my post “Coupon websites – updated!”
Related posts:
Surviving on a tight budget 
I really like the way you laid out the options and extra value like coupons and gifts. One thing you might also consider is where the money goes after you spend it. Seems like the Dobbs option might provide the best value for your community in that your dollars are more likely to stay local and be taxed locally and used for things like libraries and fire depts.? I’m not familiar with the HQ locations of the other options so some of them might be local also.
That is a good point. I do like to go there for my vehicle inspections, but sometimes when I have larger repairs I go to my favorite repair shop and have them do both. Glad you found it helpful!
My husband taught me to change my oil when we dated in college. It’s easy to do and there are many tricks to do it faster. Grab a 5 gallon bucket and you can store the oil. Many locations will take used oil since they use it for heating.
I guess I should add oil to my price list! Thanks for reading and commenting! Share your tricks!
The Jiffy Lube deal is not correct. I just got back from there, even though the coupon didn’t say it, they will not honor coupons combined with other offers. Since I was getting the early bird discount I could not use a coupon.
Every time I go there I get up sold. Just need to find the correct oil for you car. I know that takes some research for the temperature and type need. Usually theyre honest enough to tell you what is an average priced oil. On average I pay $55 for the total service.
Thanks for the tip and for reading!
“I know that changing my oil as experts recommend (every 3 months or 3,000 miles)”
That is actually a common myth. You are NOT supposed to change your oil that often. Oil change places propagate the 3000 mile myth to get more business. Google “how often should I change my oil” or “the 3000 mile myth” and you will find thousands of articles from the real experts explaining it in more depth.
Thanks for the tip!
The whole “every 3000 miles” oil change dates back to a far different day and age of car, and is a convenient fiction which is pushed by the quick change oil shops. You will waste far more money buying into this fiction (never mind the environmental costs) than you will possibly save by scrounging for a $10 coupon. The best way to save money is simply adhere to manufacturer guidelines.
No car manufacturer specifies 3000 miles. Most are anyway between 7500 and 15000 miles, with more and more moving into the 12000 to 15000 range. Read your owner’s manual. And they’ll often have a different service schedule for “severe” conditions vs. regular use. Don’t get sucked into thinking “severe” if you are your typical soccer mom and change your oil as if you’re hauling artillery through the desert in Afghanistan.
Synthetic oils such as Mobil1 are guaranteed for 15000 miles. Thus they can actually be cheaper in the long run as you can have less frequent changes.
Car engines are machined and built with far tighter tolerances.
More and more cars have oil monitoring systems which will tell you how much life is left in the oil.
Here’s a write-up by Edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html
Thanks for your tips!
Here’s a tip: you don’t need to change your oil every 3 months or 3000 miles. Your owner’s manual will tell you the correct interval, which is usually much longer. If you have a newer car, you may even have an oil life monitor (OLM). This doesn’t really measure the oil’s health, but it does keep track of how you drive, then tells you how often to change. I drive like the old man that I am, and my car told me to change my oil after TWO YEARS or 21,000 miles! (Only full synthetic lasts this long. Don’t try it with conventional oil.)
Best regards,
Middle-aged man
Been changing oil at 4000 to 12000 mile intervals for 20 years. My engines purr like kittens.
Thanks for the tips and for reading!
Thanks for posting this because im saving for a car and i just dont want to pay alot due to my budget.