Costly oil changes

[Okie Boy]

I had my 20,000 mile oil change and inspection done at smart center Tulsa, a couple of weeks ago. I had already changed the air filter and cabin filter myself so the charges were for the oil change/filter and inspection.

1. Oil change $42.25 Parts
2. Labor $49.00
3. 24 point inspection $47.99 value no-charge
4. Shop charge $4.90
5. Sales Tax $3.60

Total $99.75

[theguywiththelongestname]

I had my first oil change (early at 4500 miles) at Walter's Mercedes in Riverside CA. Here's what they did:

new oil
new filter
top all fluids
check tires
washed the smartmobile

cost: $79.00

not too bad, For a Mercedes oil change...

[Benitoe]

That sounds right in line...a fair price

[2smartArizona]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Okay, so... what IS the truth here? For those of you in the U.S. who've gotten your oil changed, is it $100, or $270?

The OP mentioned that a.) he's in Canada, b.) it's an older Smart (which apparently needs a suck-job to get the oil out, LOL), and c.) it's a diesel. Are all of those the reason for the difference?

If it's $100 for a 10k oil change, that's not that bad. I take my "regular" car in for 3k oil changes at the dealership, and they alternate charging $30 (oil only) and $100 (oil and once-over and tire rotation and et cetera). Even if you just got the oil change, if you do it every 3k you're almost up at that price anyway.

The oil vacuum job should not significantly increase the cost of an oil change. A lot of places just do this as a precaution from having a drain plug failure be blamed on them. I only use an oil sucker to pull fluid out of diff's and places with no drains I don't want to do gasket jobs on, but sucking it out is simple enough it might be easier than pulling the drain plug for them. I understand they need to make money too, but I refuse to be gouged.

[Benitoe]

Exactly my sentiments.
Could not have said in better..in fact I didn't

[2smartArizona]

6-1/4 GALLON OIL EXTRACTOR

Clean, easy and safe way to remove oils and fluids. Extracts fluids through dipstick tubes or other openings. Great for cars, tractors, boats and small aircraft engines. Also ideal for industrial gear boxes, coolant and hydraulic systems.

• 1/2 gallon per minute extractor rate
• Pressure gauge
• Reservoir capacity: 6-1/4 gallons
• Suction capacity: 4-1/4 gallons

Includes vacuum gauges and five probes. Air inlet: 1/4" NPT; Working air pressure: 70-110 PSI; Oil temperature range: 68° (minimum), 158° (maximum); Nylon probes:1/4" x 27-1/2" L, 5/16" x 27-1/2" L, 5/16" x 39-1/4" L; Copper probes: 1/4" x 27-1/2" L, 9/32" x 27-1/2" L



ITEM 46149-3VGA


$139.99


You can buy this on sale for less than 100 bucks at Harbor Freight......works great.

[Benitoe]

Thanx very much..looks like a vg sight..alas I shall have to find something in Canada...does not ship here I believe.

[2smartArizona]

Too bad...it's very easy to use, just hook it up to your air compressor, select the extractor tube you want, and suck away.

I have a lift, so I usually just drain my oil, more thorough in my opinon too, but an extractor does pretty good too. If you can't do this yourself, I am sure you can find a reputable shop in your area that can do this for you reasonably. Don't ever feel obligated to go to the delaership for anything, just document your services, save receipts. Save yourself some money. I know dealerships have to survive, but I am not going to pay too much.

I bought an Acura once, and the salesman thought I should pay extra for the car because they had a high rent showroom. I explained to him I was going to get the car and then never come back so I was not concerned about his showroom. He didn't didn't go for it, so I found another salesman. Should be the same way with oil changes, but I will have to inquire as to the price of an oil change at my local dealer....doesn't really matter though as they are 150 miles from my house.

[smart142]

Try Princess Auto in Alberta. http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountr...&INF=loc&SPC=1

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by 2smartArizona

6-1/4 GALLON OIL EXTRACTOR

Clean, easy and safe way to remove oils and fluids. Extracts fluids through dipstick tubes or other openings. Great for cars, tractors, boats and small aircraft engines. Also ideal for industrial gear boxes, coolant and hydraulic systems.

• 1/2 gallon per minute extractor rate
• Pressure gauge
• Reservoir capacity: 6-1/4 gallons
• Suction capacity: 4-1/4 gallons

Includes vacuum gauges and five probes. Air inlet: 1/4" NPT; Working air pressure: 70-110 PSI; Oil temperature range: 68° (minimum), 158° (maximum); Nylon probes:1/4" x 27-1/2" L, 5/16" x 27-1/2" L, 5/16" x 39-1/4" L; Copper probes: 1/4" x 27-1/2" L, 9/32" x 27-1/2" L



ITEM 46149-3VGA


$139.99


You can buy this on sale for less than 100 bucks at Harbor Freight......works great.

I have seen hand pumps cheaper than that. You get the vacuum started and it drains by itself.

$20 us