Don't Pay $40 for this |
I found a FRAM CF10132 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter
Wiper blades are another example. I can install a pair of wiper blades in a couple minutes. They wanted to charge $12.99 each and up but I can find blades on Amazon for as little as $6.49 each like the ANCO 31-Series Wiper Blade
They want $24.99 and up to do headlight restoration which is $50 or more for both lights. You can use a DIY 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System
What about spark plug replacement? Thats a big job isn't it? Well the oil change guys want $59.99 and up to replace spark plugs. This 6 minute Youtube video shows how to do it on my Toyota Camry and it looks fairly easy really. You could do the 4 plugs in a 4 cylinder Camry engine in under a half hour. The spark plugs run $2-6 each. If you don't have the tools to do the job already you can buy those too for under $30. The tools mentioned in the video are : 3/8-Inch Drive by 5/8-Inch Spark Plug Socket
To sum up looking at the four examples above the costs that the oil change place wanted versus the parts cost on Amazon are :
oil change | Amazon | savings | |
Air filter | $39.99 | $16.75 | $23.24 |
wiper blade | $12.99 | $6.49 | $6.50 |
lens restore | $49.98 | $15.18 | $34.80 |
spark plugs | $59.99 | $40 | $19.99 |
Now to be fair if you went to the auto dealer and asked for these services you'd probably pay even more than the oil change places charge. Its not as if they're the worst deal in the world. Some of the services aren't too badly charged. A few bucks to install wiper blades isn't that bad really. But the worse oil change places will use dirty tricks to con you into services. I've heard of examples of places that will show you a dirty filter that didn't come out of your car. One place I used to go to would try and sell me services that my own cars manual said were not necessary. I'm not saying that this is normal but you should be on the alert for scams.
Bottom line : If you should generally decline any added services pitched at an oil change and can usually handle such tasks with minimal DIY effort.
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