Automobiles are meant to have their oil changed once in a while. An oil change is part of the maintenance system of vehicles. Therefore, it is a no-brainer that dealers recommend changing vehicle oil when we have driven some miles.
We might ask the question how long does an oil change take for those who haven’t done this before? You might want to know the necessary information required before carrying your vehicle for an oil change.
In this article, I will discuss all you need to know about how long an oil change takes as well as the necessary information to have at hand when going for an oil change.
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How Long Does Oil Change Take?
Many factors dictate how long an oil change can take. When you change your vehicle‘s oil on your own, it might take longer. Some professionals carry out oil changes steadily, and they’re faster.
It can take anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes to have an oil change. At a lube shop where they often carry out an oil change, it can take 15 minutes to have that done.
Some factors that might delay an oil change include wait time by customers and necessary car diagnostics. It is ideal to book ahead with a lube shop for an oil change to be attended to faster.
While at an auto repair shop, it will take between 30 to 45 minutes to change the vehicle oil. In contrast, if you want to DIY your vehicle oil change, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour. Though, the process can take longer if you don’t have the required tools handy.
What determines how long an oil change can take depends on the kind of vehicle you have. Some vehicles are equipped with oil drain plugs and filters at the base of the vehicle. Observe your vehicle if this plug is quickly accessible, if it‘s not, it will be a challenge to change the oil.
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Why Are Quick Lube Shops Faster Than Repair Shops?
We can say that quick lube shops are faster than auto repair shops due to two significant factors. Firstly, quick lube shops are specialized in vehicle oil changes. So, they’re versed in almost all car models‘ oil change procedures.
Secondly, a quick lube shop also carries out routine checks on vehicles and does tune–up. They can also inspect your vehicle tire pressures, check the coolant level, and many others. Since they’re grounded in vehicle maintenance, it‘s easier and faster to carry out an oil change than auto repair shops.
This is not the case with auto repair shops. They take their time when carrying out an oil change. They are also good at spotting problems with your vehicle during this process. Suppose your car needs only an oil change and no other maintenance services. You should take it to a quick lube shop for an immediate oil change.
Is It Faster For Me To Carry Out An Oil Change
In as much as you can carry out an oil change in your vehicle, the duration will vary from those of quick lube shops. This is because you will need a lot of tools depending on your vehicle‘s make and model. Also, experience matters; if you haven’t carried out an oil change before, be sure to spend about 30 minutes to an hour on this process.
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What Type Of Oil Do I Need?
We have discussed how long an oil change can take. Regardless, you might need to know the kind of oil suitable for your vehicle.
You can easily know about your vehicle‘s oil replacement from the owner’s manual. Your vehicle might make use of a 5W-20 or 10W-30 as the engine requires. In general terms, it‘s ideal to replace your vehicle oil with synthetic oil.
Final Thoughts
From all the indications above, it can take between 15 minutes to 45 minutes to have an oil change. This depends on the shop you visit; quick lube shops will carry out oil changes within 15 minutes while auto repair shops do that between 30 and 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, to DIY an oil change will take you between 30 minutes to an hour. To have a quick oil change, it‘s ideal to book a space with the shop before proceeding. This will save you some wait time.