Why Your Local Mechanic is Best for an Oil Change

There are many places you can get an oil change for your car ranging, from the dealership to the drive thru oil change place. We don’t recommend either of those options. The ideal place for an oil change is with your local mechanic and there are several reasons for that.

Downside of the Dealership

When you go to a dealership for an oil change, you end up on their sales mailing list. That means frequently receiving offers for a new car. You may even be confronted by a sales person while you sit in the waiting room. Most dealerships also charge significantly more for the services they perform. They claim they can do this by using factory trained technicians. You will likely get great service from your dealership but they’ll also work on upselling you.

Drive-thru Oil Change Drawbacks

With today’s busy lifestyles, the speedy oil change places appeal to many, but they too have drawbacks. Many offer a free 15 or some random number point check. During this check they’ll undoubtedly find something wrong, from needing a new air filter, wiper blades, or a transmission flush. Their oil changes are typically what are called loss leaders. They don’t make much money on them so they try to sell you on other services that you may or may not really need. If you say no to the mechanic, you may get a high pressure push from a manger because the mechanic was so concerned for your safety. Take these recommendations with a grain of salt and know your maintenance history and car’s service recommendations. Even worse, when you’re done, they’ll slap a sticker on your window saying you need another oil change in 3,000 miles when few cars on the road today require such frequent oil changes.

The best place for an oil change is with your local mechanic. They can perform multiple services on your car, keep good records, and they will take the time to look up your individual car’s maintenance recommendations. If you don’t have a local mechanic for your oil changes, call Oldsmar Automotive at (727) 784-3501 to schedule your appointment. We offer many services, including oil changes, all with over 50 years combined experience of our mechanics. You can also schedule your oil change online.