Oil changes come at a price that is closely tied to the type of oil your car needs to keep running. Nerd Wallet reports that a typical oil change and filter replacement will cost between $20 and $100. This is standard service and uses conventional oil.
KBB also suggests that a car running on synthetic oil rather than conventional oil often sees a price between $65 and $125 for the same service. However, synthetic oil lasts longer (up to 15,000 miles versus 5,000 to 7,500 for conventional oil, according to MetroMile) and so an oil change with this formula won’t be necessary as often as a conventional oil change. Overall, the cost of ongoing oil changes usually comes down to washing, regardless of what type of oil your car uses.
However, this does not change the price you pay on the day. Therefore, budgeting for an oil change based on the type of car you drive is an essential part of the math. While you’ll recoup your costs over time if you need synthetic oil, the price can sting if you’re not prepared for the extra, especially if this is your first oil change with a new car that requires the premium product.
