How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

The oil change, for most people, is the most common routine vehicle maintenance. Many of us are familiar with the stickers placed on the inner windshield that let us know when we need to bring our car back to the shop for an oil change. And most newer cars are equipped with an oil indicator light that’ll warn you when your vehicle needs service. Click the link below if you have questions about oil change service in Cincinnati, OH.

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But despite being a familiar, regular, and necessary service, it’s still sometimes too difficult for people to schedule oil changes in their busy lives. No one understands this better than our team at Performance Kings Honda in Cincinnati, Ohio. So, we thought we’d take a moment to share our expert knowledge about oil changes here, so you can figure out how best to fit your next oil change service into your busy schedule.

How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

crv_engine by aaltonen is licensed with CC BY 2.0

The length of time an oil change takes can vary depending on where you have the oil change done, the type of car you drive, and whether you’ve remained up to date on your scheduled maintenance. In general, though, if you’re taking your car in for an oil change, you can reasonably expect it to take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.

In terms of where to get your oil changed, drivers typically have three main options: quick lube shops, automotive repair shops (including dealerships), and do-it-yourself at-home service. We’ll cover the differences below.

Quick Lube Shop

Quick lube shops are popular choices for quick oil changes because that’s the only service they provide, and their technicians are focused on getting vehicles in and out as quickly as possible. If you’re lucky enough to be seen immediately after taking your vehicle into a quick lube shop, it may take as little as 20 minutes for them to change your oil. However, the wait will inevitably become longer if there are customers ahead of you.

Automotive Repair Shop

Automotive repair shops, including dealer service centers, can also perform oil changes on your car. In general, getting your oil changed at a dealership will take longer than at a quick lube shop, but it comes with some added perks. For example, if you bring your car into Performance Kings Honda in Cincinnati, Ohio, we provide a free alignment check and car wash with every oil change service. Additionally, when taking your car to a dealer for service, you can rest assured they’ll be using manufacturer-approved parts that were made specifically for your make of vehicle.

Do-It-Yourself

For the confident amateur mechanic, performing an oil change at home is also an option. It’ll likely cost less than an oil change at either a quick lube shop or an automotive repair shop, and it can be personally rewarding to change your own oil. The downside to at-home oil changes is that it’ll likely take longer than with the dealership or quick lube shop options, and there might be messy cleanup involved that can make the process take even longer.

What Work Is Involved in an Oil Change?

Again, the work that goes into an oil change will depend on where you have your car’s oil changed. If you’re doing an oil change at home, it’s likely you’ll simply open your oil drain plug, drain the dirty engine oil, remove and replace the filter, and refill the oil, checking the oil level when everything else is complete.

Similar steps will be followed at a quick lube shop, though the technician might conduct additional services, like checking your coolant levels and the condition of your wiper blades. At a dealership, you’ll likely receive a more thorough inspection of your vehicle. Here at Performance Kings Honda, we conduct a complimentary multi-point inspection with every oil change, and we check and top off the transmission, brake, and wiper fluids, as well as the engine coolant, free of charge.

What Influences the Duration of an Oil Change?

Several things can impact the length of time it takes to conduct an oil change, but for the most part, we can place these influences into three categories:

Technician Skill Level: As with most practice skills, the more oil changes you’ve done, the less time it takes to do them. At Performance Kings Honda, we have a team of certified Honda technicians who’ve been trained on how to perform oil changes properly.

Thoroughness: It’s important to be thorough with an oil change, making sure that all the old fluid is drained, the new fluid is at the proper level, and the filter has been replaced. A thorough oil change might take a little extra time, but in the end, it’s worth it to know the service was done right.

Additional Service: Any services that are done in addition to the oil change will, inevitably, take more time. However, these services are often important for being aware of the condition of your vehicle and ensuring that it performs safely and as expected.

Why Are Oil Changes Important?

Oil changes are extremely important for ensuring the longevity of your engine’s performance. Neglecting oil changes can lead to build-up that can cause clogs and friction in the engine or, even worse, engine seizures. Additionally, if you’re getting your oil changed at a dealership, it’s likely they’ll also perform a multi-point inspection so you can be made aware of urgent or future maintenance needs for your vehicle.

In that way, oil changes, though they take a while, can often save you time in the long run. Getting a regular oil change and vehicle inspection can prevent you from having to pay for a more costly repair where your car could be at the shop for days instead of a fraction of an hour.

If you need an oil change in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, schedule a service appointment with Performance Kings Honda or give us a call at (513) 791-9090. We offer express oil change services at a lower cost than many of our competitors and include perks you won’t receive at a quick lube shop.