How much is a basic oil change at valvoline

If a dirty, messy, and inconvenient process is what comes to mind when you think about getting an engine oil change, then you’re doing it wrong. Frequent oil changes don’t have to be an inconvenience if you know the right people to help you. At Valvoline, getting an oil change will always be a seamless and affordable process.

The cost of an oil change at Valvoline ranges from $39.99 for a conventional oil change to $89.99 for a full synthetic oil change. There’s an extra charge for any additional quart of oil. Sometimes, Valvoline even offers discount coupons for its oil change services.

The rest of the article covers the cost of an oil change in detail and the types of engine oils. I’ll also discuss how often you should change your engine oil.

How much is a basic oil change at valvoline

Valvoline Instant Oil Change Prices

Your car uses oil as a lubricant in all the moving parts that make up an engine. These include pistons, cylinders, crankshafts, bearings, and camshafts. The oil keeps these parts from wearing out prematurely, which can cause them to fail or break, and that’s not good news.

Therefore, an oil change as basic maintenance is essential as it helps keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.

So, what will happen if you don’t change the engine oil? Well, depending on how far gone your vehicle is, this could be bad news for you.

Let’s see how much Valvoline will charge you for an oil change to avoid messing up your engine.

As I mentioned previously, the price of a Valvoline oil change depends on the type of vehicle service you select.

Valvoline offers the following two categories of oil change services:

  1. Valvoline full-service synthetic or synthetic blend oil change.
  2. Valvoline full-service conventional oil change.

A Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a great way to keep your car running smoothly and looking great. Charges for this service vary, but expect to spend between $40 and $90 based on the oil you choose.

What’s in a Valvoline Full-Service Instant Oil Change?

Are you sick of having to wait hours for a simple oil change? Not anymore. Your local Valvoline service location guarantees a 15 minutes oil change (also known as stay-in-your-car oil change), no matter how busy they are.

During a Valvoline full-service oil change, you’ll get five quarts of quality oil, a new oil filter, and a lubed chassis. Additionally, they’ll conduct a complimentary 18-point safety check. The service ensures that your engine runs efficiently and you get the best performance.

The 18-point safety inspection includes checking:

  • Transmission fluids.
  • Air filter.
  • Coolant level.
  • Both tail lights and headlights.
  • Washer fluid for windshields.
  • Battery test.
  • Tire pressure check.
  • The power steering fluid.

The cost can also vary depending on the type of oil you select:

Type of Engine Oil Cost Of Oil Change ($) Extra Quart Charge ($) Total ($)
Premium Conventional Oil 39.99 4.99 44.98
NextGen Conventional Oil 44.99 4.99 49.98
Maxlife Synthetic Blend 59.99 5.99 65.98
NextGen Maxlife Full Synthetic 89.99 8.99 98.98
Synpower Synthetic 89.99 8,99 98.98
July 2022

Table 1. Comparison of Valvoline Instant Oil Change Services

Let’s now switch gears and discuss the different types of engine oil at Valvoline. Read on.

Fully Synthetic Engine Oil

Synthetic engine oil combines various chemical ingredients and additives with base oils. These base oils can vary in viscosity depending on their chemical composition. Full synthetic engine oil is an artificial lubricant that provides superior performance and protection in all types of engines. It is typically used in newer vehicles since this lubricant explicitly fulfills the needs of modern cars.

These oils are manufactured with advanced technology and formulas that allow them to withstand heat, extreme pressure, and other harsh conditions more efficiently than traditional oils. Additionally, they are long-lasting and can be used on many engines without changing their performance or quality.

Pros of Fully Synthetic Engine Oil

  • Improved engine protection.
  • Viscosity remains stable no matter how hot or cold the weather is.
  • Allows optimum fuel consumption.
  • Reduced frequency of oil changes.
  • Greater ability to resist oxidation.
  • Increased vehicle performance.

Cons of Fully Synthetic Engine Oil

  • More expensive than conventional oil.
  • Not suitable for use in older vehicles.

Conventional or Regular Engine Oil

Generally, conventional oil or regular oils come from crude oil. That means that it has more mineral oil and fewer synthetic additives. This petroleum-based product has undergone refinement to meet older vehicles’ performance requirements.

Pros of Conventional Engine Oil

  • It’s usually more cost-effective than synthetic oil.
  • Suitable for older engines. In contrast with synthetic oils, conventional oil moves more slowly, offering better protection to older engines.

Cons of Conventional Engine Oil

  • It requires frequent replacement.
  • It doesn’t offer as much protection as synthetic engine oil.

Synthetic Blend Engine Oil

As the name suggests, synthetic blend engine oil is a mix of conventional and synthetic oils. Synthetic blend engine oil reduces wear and tear, which helps maintain the engine’s performance. This type of oil is a good choice if you are looking for the benefits of both types of oil without the high price tag that comes with fully synthetic oil.

Because of the synthetic base stock added to it, you’ll get better performance and protection compared to conventional oil.

Pros of Synthetic Blend Engine Oil

  • Affordable as compared with fully synthetic oil.
  • It has better protection than regular oil.

Cons of Synthetic Blend Engine Oil

  • Not as effective as fully synthetic oil.
  • Not as long-lasting as fully synthetic oil.

After going over the different engine oils available when you go for an oil change at Valvoline, the next question is: Which oil is the best for your vehicle?

Choosing the Best Engine Oil for Your Car

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ll be facing a decision about which type of oil to buy for your vehicle. Is it better to go with conventional oil or synthetic engine oil?

The answer depends on what kind of car you have, how old it is and how much money you want to spend.

Synthetic oil is a more advanced product that’s longer-lasting and provides better engine protection. In fact, for most current engines, the recommendation is synthetic oil. Although the shelf price of synthetic oil is higher than conventional oil, in the long run, you’ll save money. Synthetic oil lasts longer before deterioration, so you won’t need to change it frequently.

The main downside of synthetic oil is the initial cost: even though it’s more economical over time and requires less frequent replacement.

Your best resource for engine oil selection is your vehicle owner’s manual. Some manufacturers only recommend synthetic engine lubricants, while others are flexible in their recommendations. Therefore always follow the advice in your vehicle’s manual to ensure you do what’s suitable for your motor vehicle.

You may also like to read: Is Valvoline a Good Oil?

When To Change Your Engine Oil

Engine oil changes are among the most critical tasks you can do to ensure smooth and efficient functioning. The frequency of an engine oil change hinges mainly on specific considerations, such as the type of oil and the car’s age.

In the past, with older models of cars, the general recommendation was to change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 km) or every three months. In newer cars, the interval between oil changes can be much longer, up to 7,500 miles (12070.1 km) or even more in some cases.

Imagine this: you know your car needs an oil change, but you don’t have the money. What can you do? What are your options? Roll up your sleeves and get to work. Yes, that’s right. You probably think that’s a lot of work, but it isn’t! All you require are a few tools and some knowledge about using them correctly.

How To Change Your Own Engine Oil

If you’re trying to cut down your car maintenance costs, one of the things you can do is change your engine oil. It’s a straightforward process requiring just a few tools and basic knowledge. While it may be a little messy, it’s cheaper than taking your car to the shop. And it’s not that hard. With a bit of patience and the right tools, you can do it yourself in no time.

Here’s a how to change engine oil at home:

  1. Prepare your workspace. You’ll need a container to catch the used oil, rags or paper towels to clean up any spills, and of course, the new oil and filter.
  2. First, raise the car high enough to work underneath it. Make sure you are extremely careful whatever you use: ramps, jack stands, or a hoist. Find the drain plug on your engine.
  3. Place the container underneath the drain and loosen it with a wrench. Be careful, as oil will start flowing out immediately.
  4. Drain the oil. Once the plug is loose, allow all the old oil to drain into the container, this could take a few minutes.
  5. Locate the oil filter, a cylindrical piece attached to the engine. With an oil filter wrench, loosen the oil filter until you see oil dripping from the top of the filter into your container. Remove the filter after the oil stops flowing. Be sure to lubricate the new filter’s gasket before installing it properly.
  6. Replace the plug. After all the old oil has drained out, replace the drain plug and tighten it up with the wrench again.
  7. Next, remove the filler cap on top of the engine and add the new oil. Pour in the new oil until it reaches the manufacturer’s recommended level.
  8. Replace the filler cap. Start the vehicle and let it idle for a while.

Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change

The oil in your car provides life to the engine. It keeps everything flowing smoothly and ensures that all the moving parts are adequately lubricated.

Now that you know the importance of oil in your engine, let’s look at the signs that it’s time for replacement:

  • Warning lights. Modern cars have sensors that can detect problems early before they get serious. Some vehicles will display a check engine light or oil change indicator on their dashboard. Whenever this light turns on, please don’t ignore it.
  • Smoke from the tailpipe. Usually, a transparent vapor should be visible out of your vehicle’s exhaust, but if it turns into smoke, you need an engine checkup.
  • Noisy engine. Engine oil is a barrier preventing contact between engine components and keeping the engine quiet. As the oil loses its viscosity, the engine will become noisier.
  • Oil Color. A dark-looking oil is dirty and contains residual particles collected from the engine.

DIY Oil Change vs. Professional Valvoline Oil Change

When it comes to oil changes, you have two options: doing it yourself (DIY) or taking it to a professional. If you choose to DIY, you must have the right tools and knowledge to do the job correctly. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to your car.

On the other hand, professionals have the expertise and experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently. In addition, they have the right equipment and tools.

While it is less expensive to do it yourself, professional oil changes are often of better quality. Valvoline is a well-known company that offers professional oil changes. They use high-quality oil, and their technicians have adequate experience to ensure that your car gets the best possible care.

Suppose you are not confident about changing your oil on your own. In that case, it would be wise for you to leave the job to the professionals.

Final Thoughts

Regularly replacing your car’s oil is a vital exercise in ensuring your vehicle is in top shape. Before getting an oil change, research your options carefully to decide what’s best for your vehicle’s needs and your pocket.

 Having the correct oil level and quality will prevent excessive wear and tear on your engine, resulting in fewer repairs down the road. At service centers like Valvoline, professionals will assist you in making the right choice without breaking the bank.

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Why does Valvoline charge so much for oil change?

The bottom line is that, because Valvoline has both products and services to offer its clients, they are considered to be a premium company with premium pricing. When a company can offer both products and services to a customer, they can get away with charging a higher amount.

How much is a normal oil change?

Typically, an oil and filter change using conventional oil will cost between $35 and $75, depending on your area. If your car requires synthetic oil, you should expect to pay more (anywhere from $65 to $125) but you make up some of the cost, since synthetic oil lasts longer and has to be changed less frequently.

What is included in a basic oil change?

Put simply an oil change is when you take out the motor oil from your engine and put back in new motor oil. During an oil change you also have to change the oil filter and put on a new one. The oil and oil filter do so much for your engine that getting regular oil changes is the best way to keep your vehicle healthy.

What kind of oil change is the cheapest?

The type of oil used: At the higher end, full synthetic oil has more additives to protect a car's engine. Conventional oil is the cheapest, and in the middle are synthetic blends: mixtures intended to provide some benefits of synthetic oil at a lower price.