Is the Expense of DIY Oil Changes Worth the Savings?

This article investigates whether DIY oil changes are worth their costs savings. As an illustration, my wife and I recently completed their kitchen renovation project; one service we paid someone else to perform was installing our countertops (a task which involved transporting 30 pounds per square foot of stone material, cutting, polishing, and polishing it after installation).

As novice DIY-ers, we were challenged by learning to do everything ourselves from teardown, appliance plumbing/wiring install, sink and faucet plumbing/install, backsplash tile cutting/grouting and soon-to-be cabinet resurfacing – for the first time ever!

While there were challenges along the way, there were three big benefits.

Everyday is rewarding when we reap the fruits of our labor – literally and financially speaking! By performing all our own oil change repairs ourselves we have saved thousands over outsourcing costs – no exaggeration! In 10+ years’ time when selling our home we will more than recoup both time and monetary investments made into it by doing DIY oil changes ourselves! For now.

Though I have an increasing appreciation for DIY work (I call it insourcing), one common DIY auto maintenance skill I don’t enjoy taking on: an oil change.

Many years ago, I learned how to change automotive air filters – an astonishingly easy process. All it takes is an air filter (typically purchased for $10 from big box or auto parts stores) along with a socket wrench or screwdriver and five minutes of your time; and you have saved yourself $20 or $30 that an auto mechanic would normally charge!

Oil changes are easy, minimally time consuming and offer significant cost-cutting potential.