Oil changes are one of the most basic ways to protect the car engine from wear. An oil change is an essential vehicle maintenance service that’s recommended by every major car manufacturer, as it ensures a longer engine life, better fuel efficiency and improved performance.
In total, it takes about 30 minutes for a service center to perform an oil change. That doesn’t count the time needed to get the car into the service bay and button everything up before giving it back to the customer. There are also other factors that may impact the timeline, depending on what type of car you drive, the type of oil needed, where you take it and if there are any additional services performed at the same time.
The Lemon Pros help Californian clients when the dealership can’t fix their car or return it with damage. With our practice area focused solely on lemon vehicles and car defects, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
In this guide, we cover how much time it should take to change oil and discuss steps to reduce this time. We also look at the factors influencing a trip to the service department and talk about the signs of a faulty oil change.
The average timeline for dealership oil changes is between a half hour and an hour in total. This time may be affected by high traffic times or complex maintenance needs, especially if you have an older vehicle. However, some dealerships use expedited lanes, such as express lanes, strictly for oil changes to make the process faster.
If you arrive at the dealership during a busy time, you can expect a longer wait, but not because the oil change takes longer. A good practice is that the dealership wouldn’t make you wait more than 2 hours for the oil change. If they do, it may be time to find a new service center.
To get a better idea of how long your particular service appointment should take, let’s evaluate some critical factors that can affect the duration of the oil change:
The mechanic needs to refill the system with the right type of new oil. Depending on whether the station stocks conventional or synthetic may impact the time you spend waiting. This delay is most often seen when a customer requests a unique oil type, such as high mileage.
Changing oil on a luxury or high-end car may require more work than a standard vehicle and not every mechanic shop is equipped to handle the job. Additionally, if the drain plug is stripped or there are other problems with the car, the job could take longer.
The dealership may supply free oil changes if you have a maintenance plan, making it the best place to take your car in that situation. These locations take longer than the typical lube location, such as Jiffy Lube. However, the dealership is usually the only place to take your car for warranty-approved work, so that’s something to keep in mind.
While having the oil changed, the service center may recommend other services at the same time, resulting in more money and time spent at the location. Your car may be due to have the tires rotated or fluids topped off.
Every mechanic working at most dealers is a highly trained and skilled technician, which is why they get paid more than the typical lube worker. They are going to perform more checks and quality control procedures to ensure everything is completely correct, thereby adding more time. As part of the factory-recommended maintenance, there may also be additional diagnostic checks that the mechanics are asked to perform with each service.
Additionally, the added time could be due to how busy the location is. Appointment backlogs don’t just increase the number of people in the waiting room but also cause your car to be pushed further back in line.
When you arrive at the dealership for an oil change, you check in with a team member. Your car is then taken into the oil change bay, where a technician removes the drain plug and oil filter. While the oil is draining, the technician may check other parts of the vehicle, depending on what’s recommended at the time by the manufacturer.
Once the oil finishes draining, the plug is re-installed and the oil is filled back up. A new filter is also installed. The technician will run the engine and ensure the levels are correct. They also perform quality checks for leaks and other problems.
At this point, other jobs may be recommended, such as tire rotations or spark plug replacement. The technician does these jobs separately from the oil and filter change. Some dealerships then wash the car before giving it back to the customer, which also adds minutes to the actual time.
Most people want to know how to get faster oil changes, and we have some great tips to consider.
Not everyone is equipped to change the oil. There’s always the chance that they will do the service incorrectly, leading to damage to your vehicle. For example, some quick lubes are known for overtightening the drain plug, leading to damage that can cause oil leaks and engine failure when not properly repaired.
For that reason, you want to check the car after an oil change to identify any signs of leakage or damage. If the Check Engine Light comes on, you want to have the vehicle inspected immediately by a professional mechanic. It’s a sign that something major may be wrong with your car or truck.
If the dealer can’t fix your car after a faulty oil change, you may be entitled to compensation if you can prove negligence. Some issues may be resolved through the Department of Consumer Affairs, while others need to be handled through California’s Lemon law. A trusted attorney can lead you in the right direction.
Your oil change won’t likely be the main priority at the dealership, so it’s normal to encounter some delays. While you wait, you can catch up on some emails and enjoy the dealership’s complimentary coffee. However, if the wait becomes excessive, you want to discuss the situation with a service advisor. If you aren’t happy with the answer you’ve received, it’s vital to know your rights and contact a Lemon law attorney, especially if it seems that the dealership is attempting to hide something from you.
There’s also a concern if the dealership has your car for too long. There are times when it’s appropriate for the dealership to hold your car longer than expected but never to change oil and filters. A qualified lemon lawyer will help you fight for your rights and ensure you earn the compensation you deserve for the inconvenience.
Getting regular oil changes is part of taking care of your vehicle. You don’t want to be the person who avoids this important maintenance, thinking that the average oil change takes too long. As a customer, you have rights. The dealership may perform some extras, such as a tire rotation or have your car washed after service, but you shouldn’t be waiting all day to get the vehicle back, especially if you’ve taken our advice and scheduled an appointment during off-peak hours.
The Lemon Pros knows how to resolve situations with dealerships and mechanics. If you’re having trouble getting repairs or there was a problem with an oil change, you want the best Lemon law attorney you can find in California. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and see what you are owed.
On average, an oil change at a dealership in California takes between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how busy the service center is and whether additional inspections are included.
If repeated oil change issues lead to engine damage or ongoing vehicle problems, a Lemon Law attorney can help determine if your car qualifies for a claim. They’ll guide you through the process, negotiate with the manufacturer, and fight for a refund or replacement if your case is valid.
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