05C6B4U

Typically, I change my own oil but looking at my receipts for my DIY oil change made me think about going to my local Chevrolet dealer for an oil change.

A. DIY Oil change

I. Oil

1. 5 QT Mobile 1 oil 5W 30 : $26.44
2. 5W 30 1 QT: $7.98

Total: $37.29 *Includes taxes and oil recovery/disposal fee

II. Filters

1. AC Delco oil filter: $4.19
2. Air filter: $9.99
3. Air filter: $9.99
4. Cabin air filter: $13.99

Total: $41.21 *Includes taxes

III. Miscellaneous

1. Vinyl gloves: $1.08 *Includes taxes
2. Tarp to prevent oil spill on driveway: $4.32 *Includes taxes

Total: $5.40

Grand total: $83.90 * Does not include time / travel to buy supplies and oil recycling drop-off site.

B. Chevrolet Dealer Oil change

1. Mobile 1 oil change: $69.99
2. Discount: $10.00

Total: $64.78 *Includes taxes and oil recovery fee

Difference: $19.12

My biggest issue with a DIY oil change, locating oil filter, air filters, and cabin filter as I went to 3 different auto parts stores. The filters were not in stock or available online with delivery to store.

Another change, the last 4 years, the weather in January was nice when I did my annual oil change. This year, not so nice. I should start my annual oil change in the summer, better weather

With all the horror stories about dealer service, I'm considering taking it to the dealer for my next oil change.

Mad*Max

you are comparing an apple to an orange - the dealer oil change will not be changing the other filters listed aside from the oil filter

The Wagner

I stopped going to the dealer when my oil changes became $125+. They also didn't change the cabin filters, air filters, etc. So, yeah. I'll take it to the dealer to get the alignment fixed...that's about it.

Bruze

Just as a general rule, under normal driving, the air filters shouldn't need changing as often as the oil filter.

05C6B4U

True. That lowers the cost of the oil change and makes the dealer service higher and less of a "value".

Monetary aspect aside, if we factor in time spent sourcing "parts", disposal of used oil, and time setup/clean-up vs 5 min trip to dealer + 30 mins to change oil.

I'm not completely sold on the dealer for an oil change.

05C6B4U

$125+ for an oil change?! Did they have an oil refinery in the parking lot?!

R&L's C6

You forgot to factor the cost of the dealer fecking up your car by overfilling it, under filling it, using the wrong oil, cracking the rockers and scratching the crap out of it.

warren s

Monetary aspect aside, if we factor in time spent sourcing "parts", disposal of used oil, and time setup/clean-up vs 5 min trip to dealer + 30 mins to change oil.

Get you oil and filter changed successfully* by the dealer and be back home in 40 minutes?

That’s better than hitting the lottery without even buying a ticket.
And just as likely..

BROCKYJACK

When I was a younger guy I always did my own oil changes to save money. As I got older and busier the time factor weighed in more than money and I changed my own oil only once in awhile. Then old age kicked in along with aches and pains and the difficulty for an old fat guy to crawl around under a vette. Cleaning up spillage, disposing of old oil, dealing with ramps, jack etc...not dealing with all these thing is worth the extra $30 per change I spend having my dealer do it twice a year...every 6k for me. Usually a 30-45 minute visit and I have coffee with my friends or look at the new cars while I wait. Fortunately I have a dealer I trust. The owner is a friend and my service writer is my stepson. I know many won't take their precious baby any where near a dealer. Also those that claim it is a 15-20 minute job at home must have the speed of the Flash. Curious as to the percentage of C6 owners that change their own oil.

GS057

I agree. I don not trust dealer mechanics with my C6.

Z0HS1CK

I'm trying to have a performance shop do my oil change coming up in spring. I have to go in for an alignment so might as well get it done there.

If not I'd probably do it myself.

jjbravo1

I change my own.
It's easy and o know it's done right. P

simplegto

I drive by at least 20 parts houses to get to a dealer. I buy all my filters at Amazon and the oil at Walmart. I can change oil and all the filters in less time than travel to the dealer.

Zero_6

My dilemma as well. Do I wanna buy race ramps or pucks just for oil changes? The Vette isn't my DD. I may try out the dealership.

HBsurfer

Hard time finding filters? They have them in stock at every Walmart (Mobil 1) and at every auto parts store I have ever looked at. I feel for you if that is the caliber auto parts stores in your area. Not doubting your story but you must live in an odd area full of minimally stocked auto parts stores. I buy my Mobil 1 oil and filter at Walmart when it is on sale ($22.88 for 5 quart bottle) and change it at home in 30 minutes. If you are willing and capable of doing it at home, you will never convince me that it is better in any way to pay to have it done. Faster, cheaper and done right if you do it yourself.

Kent1999

Your math is wrong. You included the price of the cabin and air filters in your DIY, but not the dealer. (And, BTW, you don't need to change the cabin and engine air filters at every oil change.)


Unless you are saying that your dealer changes oil (Mobil1) AND *replaces* your cabin filter AND *replaces* your 2 air filters for $80????? No way. *Checks* the filters, maybe, but replaces???

I can barely get the cabin and air filters *alone* from my dealer for $80.
Nope.

I save a minimum of $50 per change -- Not to mention the few minutes I spend under the car allows me to give it the critical eyeball that the oil change techs couldn't be bothered to do while trying to beat the flat rate and get to the next 8 Malibu's waiting in line.

All that and the confidence that it has been done right -- priceless.

Darkvet

My dealer charges me $54 even for full synthetic Mobile 1 oil change plus oil filter! I'm not doing shi t myself for this price lol.

Bruze

Who can't find filters?

FWIW: I buy mine at Advanced; they have several brands to choose from.

4SUMERZ

Suit yourself to whatever you think is right.
I do my own oil changes, because then I know they are done correctly.
A few falls ago, I had my car in the dealer to get a Motor Vehicle Safety inspection carried out because it's mandatory. The dealer does take good care, and uses pucks when putting a C6 on the lift, so they get brownie points for that.
While they were doing the inspection, I asked for them to do the oil change at the same time, as the car was going into winter hibernation soon.
It cost $112.00 for the oil/filter change and $30.00 for the inspection. Everything was OK.
When next spring came along, after a few thousand miles, I decided to change the winter oil, and get some fresh stuff in there for the driving season.
I drained the oil, but I could not get the filter off, by wrench, etc etc.
I had to cut away the metal from the filter, so I could use a cold chisel to get the filter off the engine block. The filter was welded on, because they did not use oil to lubricate the rubber gasket. It only took 2 hours for that DIY oil change.
A pic is worth a thousand words.



Any question as to whether the dealer will ever do another oil change on my c6?

HBsurfer

OP said he could not find filters in stock at three different stores. Check the bottom of his post. This was his "biggest issue" regarding doing his own oil changes.