The Going Rate: The Price of an Oil Change

Oil change. For many busy Angelenos, those two words translate to “time out of my day.” However, auto experts will tell you that this relatively small sacrifice of time is essential to keeping your car running at its peak. Changing your car’s oil is supposed to help your engine last longer. Not changing it can lead to engine damage.

The rules on when to change your oil vary from car to car. Your owner’s manual should tell you how many months and miles your car can travel before it needs an oil change as well as what type of oil to use. 

With that in mind, we did a random search for the price you can expect to pay for an oil change in Sherman Oaks, and what different shops offer for your money.   

At Jiffy Lube Service Center they offer their so-called “Signature Service,” which begins at $39.99, store manager Hector Cabrera said. For that, you get up to five quarts of Pennzoil Oil, and they'll also top off five “vital” fluids, including transmission, steering and battery fluids. 

In addition, they inspect your belts, air filter and wiper blades as well as headlights, brake lights and signal lights, Cabrera said. 

Jiffy Lube Service Center, 14103 Ventura Blvd.; 818-986-4005.

$33 for up to five quarts of oil, manager Sami Pasha said. He said their oil is a “very good synthetic blend” that results in “less car emission.” Pasha said that regular cars require fewer oil changes with synthetic oil, but once you start using synthetic oil, he said, you must continue using it in your car. 

For the price, the Sherman Oaks Tire Pros mechanics also do “a 16-point inspection,” Pasha said. The inspection includes checking the belts, hoses, brakes and windshield wipers as well as topping off fluids. The service takes about 45 minutes, he said.

Sherman Oaks Tire Pros, 5015 Van Nuys Blvd.; 818-994-7761.

Automotive M & M will give you an oil change for about $37. Owner Joe Pina said that covers the five-quart requirement of most cars. The shop uses Shell 10/30 and Shell 5/30, oil depending on the manufacturer’s specs. Higher-end cars such as BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes require synthetic oil, which can bring the cost to about $80 for an oil change, he said. 

Automotive M & M mechanics do a “38-point inspection,” he said. That includes inspecting belts, hoses, lights and all fluids.  

Automotive M & M, 4700 Van Nuys Blvd.; 818-501-7596.

At Paul’s Automotive Service Center, an oil change for the average car runs about $55, according to Louis Sloup, who calls himself a "service adviser." For that price, Paul's provides up to five quarts of “standard 10/30 oil,” Sloup said. Synthetic oil costs more. 

They also change the oil filter, top off five main fluids, check turn signals, headlights, brakes, belts and hoses, he said. They can fix your brakes at the shop, if you need a repair. 

The service takes about half an hour, he said. 

Paul’s Automotive Service Center, 5146 Van Nuys Blvd.; 818-783-3997.

All the shops are required by law to check your tire pressure.

As always, Sherman Oaks Patch is not recommending any specific shop. For any service, it’s usually a good idea to get recommendations from friends or other customers.