How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?
Reviewed by GarageDex editorial
GarageDex's price data shows a shop oil change costs $35 to $65 with conventional oil, $45 to $85 with a synthetic blend, and $60 to $130 with full synthetic. Doing it yourself is much cheaper, because the oil and filter are a small part of what a shop charges. Your engine's specification, not the price, decides which oil you need.
For your exact carFind your car's oil type & capacityLook it upOil change prices at a glance
| Oil type | DIY, 5 qt + filter | At a shop |
|---|---|---|
| conventional | $28 to $55 | $35 to $65 |
| synthetic blend | $33 to $60 | $45 to $85 |
| full synthetic | $38 to $70 | $60 to $130 |
Ranges aggregated from published 2026 US repair-cost and parts price guides, including RepairPal and Car Talk. Prices vary by region, brand, and vehicle - treat these as a sanity check on a quote, not a fixed price.
The price for your exact car
The DIY column assumes a 5-quart engine, but capacities vary a lot. Our oil pages compute the cost from your engine's real capacity and specified grade. Look up your car's oil type and capacity to see the figure for your vehicle.
Why the shop costs more
The oil and filter are a modest share of a shop's price. The rest is labour, overhead, and often an upsell such as an air filter or a fluid top-off. None of that is worse oil. It is convenience you are paying for.
Which oil does your engine need?
Go by the specification, not the cheapest option. See synthetic vs conventional oil, and for older engines, high-mileage oil explained. If you want to do it yourself, follow how to change your oil.
Frequently asked
Why is a synthetic oil change more expensive?
Full synthetic oil costs more per quart to make. It also lasts longer and protects better at temperature extremes, and many modern engines specify it, so for those cars it is not optional.
How much oil does my car need?
It varies by engine, from under 4 quarts to well over 7. Look up your exact engine's capacity rather than assuming a single 5-quart jug is right, because most engines do not take a round number.
Is it cheaper to change your own oil?
Yes. You pay only for the oil and filter. The difference is labour. You will also need a drain pan, a filter wrench, and a way to recycle the old oil, which most auto parts stores accept free.
Can I use conventional oil to save money?
Only if your engine's specification allows it. Thin modern grades such as 0W-20 are essentially sold only as synthetic, and using the wrong oil can affect engine protection and warranty coverage.
Need your car's exact spec?
Find your car's oil type & capacity