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The average cost of an oil change varies depending on where you live. The type of oil used is another factor, with varieties including conventional, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. For basic service with conventional oil and no extra quarts, you can count on paying between $35 and $75, according to Kelley Blue Book.

We’ll discuss the ins and outs of oil changes, including how often you should get it done, the benefits to your vehicle and the environment, and how to save money on your next oil change.

How Much Does an Oil Change Cost on Average?

The cost of an oil change depends on several things:

•   Vehicle’s year, make, and model

•   DIY vs. service station

•   Geographic location

•   Service provider

•   Type of oil: conventional, synthetic, or synthetic blend

•   Add-on services like filter changes and tire rotation

You’ll pay about $35 for basic service with no extra quarts. Top service with extra quarts will run about $75. This is likely to be with conventional oil.

With semi-synthetic oil, the average cost will be higher: $40-$100. And with fully synthetic oil, the price inches up to $65-$125. Some luxury vehicles require special filters, which can cost $260 or more.

The average cost of an oil change at a dealership is generally around $100; this typically includes a filter change. Another popular add-on is tire rotation, which can tack on $20-$50. It’s possible that a dealership or auto repair shop will offer a small discount for more than one service.

In case you were wondering, oil changes are not covered by car insurance because they’re considered a regular part of car maintenance. Learn more in our Insurance Tips for First-time Drivers.


💡 Quick Tip: Saving money on your fixed costs isn’t always easy. One exception is auto insurance. Shopping around for a better deal really can pay off.

Average Cost of Oil Change by Provider

The table below lists the price of the cheapest oil change option at a number of national service providers. Differences in price are often due to the quality of oil used, and the speed and scope of the service.

Recommended: How to Lower Your Car Insurance

The Difference Between Synthetic and Conventional Oil

Conventional oil is crude oil that’s been refined, while synthetic is made from chemical compounds. Synthetic oil has fewer impurities and is designed to protect car engines.

Conventional oil needs changing more often and can have problems flowing in extreme temperatures. Synthetic oil can be used for longer periods and flows in a wider range of temperatures. Although there are clear advantages to synthetic oil, there’s one disadvantage: It costs more.

Check your owner’s manual to see what type and grade are recommended for your vehicle’s engine. How much your car is worth may factor into your choice of which oil to use.

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change?

Your owner’s manual should also list how often to change the oil in your specific vehicle. In general, conventional motor oil needs to be changed after about 5,000 miles of driving. Synthetic oil can go as long as 10,000 miles. If you use semi-synthetic motor oil (a blend of the two), you may get 8,000 miles of usage before it needs to be changed.

Did you know you should also be evaluating your insurance on a regular basis? Annual personal insurance planning sessions can help your coverage keep up with important life changes.

Benefits of Getting Your Oil Changed

The benefits of regular oil changes are significant. They include:

•   Cleaner engine. When you change the oil, you’re also getting rid of the dirt, debris, and contaminants in the old oil.

•   More efficient engine. When the engine is clean and the oil is new, the engine has better lubrication and works more efficiently. This helps boost performance and maximizes the life of the engine.

•   Better gas mileage. A more efficient engine will help your car get better gas mileage and save you money on fuel.

•   Environmental benefits. When oil stays in your vehicle for too long, it starts to degrade. At this point, it releases potentially toxic hydrocarbons.

•   Prevents overheating. Engine components generate heat, especially when you’re driving at faster speeds. When the engine is freshly and appropriately lubricated with motor oil, this lowers friction and reduces the risk of overheating.

How to Lower the Cost of Oil Changes

As noted above, timely oil changes can reduce fuel costs. To save money on oil changes, you can shop around for the best prices in auto shops or do it yourself.
Before your first DIY oil change, you may need to invest in a few supplies. These include a wrench to remove the drain plug (your owner’s manual should list what size and type), an oil filter wrench, an oil pan, latex gloves, and perhaps a jack.

You can save $25 to $75 per oil change on average, depending on the oil and filter you use. So, once you’ve saved enough to “pay back” what you invested in the right tools, you can enjoy savings each time you change your own oil. Check out more tips for saving on car maintenance costs.


💡 Quick Tip: If your car is paid off and worth only a few thousand dollars, consider updating your car insurance: You might choose to opt out of collision coverage and double down on liability.

The Takeaway

The average cost of a basic oil change with conventional oil is $35, but you can find low-cost oil changes for as little as $19. Higher prices may indicate a better quality of oil, add-ons like filter replacement, or faster service. Your vehicle’s owner manual will recommend a type and grade of oil. Conventional oil is typically cheapest, followed by semi-synthetic, and then fully synthetic. Synthetic oils allow you to go longer between oil changes — 10,000 miles compared to 5,000 with conventional. To save the most money on your oil change, don’t be afraid to DIY.

When you’re ready to shop for auto insurance, SoFi can help. Our online auto insurance comparison tool lets you see quotes from a network of top insurance providers within minutes, saving you time and hassle.

FAQ

Is $100 a lot for an oil change?

It depends on where you live, the type of oil used, your vehicle, and add-ons such as filter changes and tire rotation. The average cost of a basic oil change is $35, with prices as low as $19. Ask your service provider for a breakdown of what goes into that $100 oil change.

Should I get my tires rotated when I get an oil change?

Consumer Reports recommends rotating your tires every 5,000-8,000 miles. Tires protect you on the road, so this maintenance task shouldn’t be overlooked. Depending on the kind of oil you use and your owner manual’s recommendation, you may want to have your oil changed every 5,000-10,000 miles. If you can combine your oil change schedule with your tire rotation schedule, you might save a bit of money.

How much do oil changes cost in 2024?

The overall average with conventional oil and no other services provided is somewhere about $35. No-frills service with conventional oil starts at $19. You’ll pay for more synthetic oil and add-ons like filter replacement.

Photo credit: iStock/Phynart Studio

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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s likely that planning for retirement may be looming in the back of your mind. And that’s a good thing: According to the Center for Retirement Research, 39% of households are at risk for not having enough to maintain their living standards in retirement.

One way to start your retirement savings plan is to work shoulder-to-shoulder with your partner. You’ve no doubt heard of joint checking accounts, but what about joint retirement accounts – is there such a thing? Unfortunately, no. But while retirement plans like a 401(k) or IRA do not allow for multiple owners, there are ways couples can plan their retirement savings together.

How Couples Can Plan Together for Retirement

Although there are no joint retirement account options, you can prepare for your golden years together by combining retirement forces. Here’s how.

Review Your Retirement Goals as a Couple

Talking openly and honestly about your finances is one of the keys to building a healthy financial plan. A good first step is to have a productive conversation about your plans and goals for retirement with your significant other. Do you plan on staying in the same home during your retirement years? Perhaps you want to travel internationally once per year or buy a camper and travel across the country.

Determine the amount of money you want in retirement, too. While of course each couple’s retirement number is dependent upon their standard of living, you can calculate an estimate: Start with your current income, subtract estimated Social Security benefits, and divide by 0.04 to get your target number in today’s dollars.

Once you’ve put the numbers together and have a sense of how much you need to retire, you can figure out what you can safely withdraw to make your retirement last as long as you do.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that you must choose the investments in your IRA? Once you open an IRA and start saving, you get to decide which mutual funds, ETFs, or other investments you want — it’s totally up to you.

Determine When Both of You Will Retire

Do you know when you will retire? How about your partner? Remember, retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs generally cannot be withdrawn from penalty-free until you reach age 59 ½.

If you or your partner do plan to retire earlier than 59 ½, it might make sense to put some of your retirement funds into a taxable brokerage account that you can access at any time.

Name Your Spouse as a Beneficiary

While there are many ways to start saving for retirement, unfortunately, there aren’t any options that operate as a joint retirement account by default. A work-around to this is for each of you to name your spouse as a beneficiary in your retirement account. If something were to happen to one of you, the other person would still have access to your accounts and the money in it.

Your Top Questions About Joint Retirement, Answered

These are some of the biggest questions couples have when it comes to joint retirement.

Can both spouses contribute to a 401(k)?

No — only one spouse can contribute to a 401(k) account. 401(k)s are employer-sponsored plans. So just the spouse who works at the company offering the plan can participate in it and contribute to it.

However, the other spouse can be a beneficiary of the plan. This means that if the original planholder dies, the spouse gets the inherited 401(k) and can then roll it into their own 401(k) or into an IRA.

How much can a married couple contribute to a 401(k)?

As noted above, 401(k) plans are individual, with only one person contributing to each account (along with their employer, in some cases). The maximum 401(k) contribution allowed in 2024 is $23,000, with an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500 for those 50 and older. With those figures in mind, if each partner has their own 401(k) plan, a married couple could each contribute $23,000 for a combined $46,000 a year.

The maximum 401(k) contribution allowed in 2023 is $22,500, with an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500 allowed for those 50 and older. That means if each partner has their own 401(k) plan, a married couple can each contribute $22,500 for a combined $45,000 a year in 2023.

How many IRAs can a married couple have?

If a couple is married and files their taxes jointly, each partner in the marriage can contribute to their own IRAs. There is a contribution limit, however — the total contributions to the IRAs “may not exceed your joint taxable income or the annual contribution limit on IRAs times two, whichever is less,” according to the IRS. The annual IRA contribution limit is $7,000, so the total limit is $14,000, for 2024. Those 50 and older can contribute an additional catch-up amount of $1,000.

For 2023, the IRA contribution limit is $6,500, so the total limit is $13,000. Those 50 and older can contribute an additional catch-up amount of $1,000.

Recommended: How Many IRAs Can You Have?

Can my wife contribute to an IRA if she doesn’t work?

Yes, a non-working spouse can open and contribute to an IRA (called a spousal IRA) as long as the other spouse is working and the couple files a joint federal income tax return. The spouse who doesn’t work can contribute up to the IRA limit of $7,000 in 2024, plus $1,000 additional in catch-up contributions if she is 50 or older.

What is a spousal Roth IRA?

A spousal IRA is a Roth or traditional IRA for a spouse who doesn’t work. A couple must file their taxes as married filing jointly to be eligible for a spousal IRA. The spouse who doesn’t work can contribute up to the IRA limit of $7,000 in 2024, plus $1,000 additional in catch-up contributions if she is 50 or older.

Can a husband and wife both have a Roth IRA?

A husband and wife can each have their own separate Roth IRAs. Your total contributions to both IRAs must not exceed your joint taxable income or the annual contribution limit to the IRAs times two. For 2024, you can each contribute $7,000 to your separate Roth IRAs, making the total contribution limit $14,000 for those under age 40. Those 50 and up can each contribute an extra $1,000 if they choose.

Can my non-working spouse have a Roth IRA?

Yes. Spousal IRAs can be traditional or Roth IRAs. In a Roth IRA, the money put into it is not tax deductible. Instead the money comes from taxable income but may grow tax free, so that an individual typically doesn’t have to pay taxes on the money that’s taken out of the account when they retire. While the contribution limits vary according to your tax filing and income status, typically the limit of contributions is the same as it is for traditional IRAs.

What is the maximum Roth contribution for a married couple?

In 2024, the annual limit for an IRA contribution is 7,000 per person, or $8,000 for those 50 and older. However, a Roth IRA has income limits. In 2024, a couple that is married filing jointly cannot contribute to a Roth IRA if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is more than $240,000. Those with a MAGI between $230,000 and $240,000 can contribute a partial amount, and those whose income is less than $230,000 can contribute the full amount.

Should a married couple have two Roth IRAs?

Whether you should have two Roth IRAs is a personal decision. One consideration: Since a married couple cannot have a joint retirement account like a joint Roth IRA, if you each have a Roth IRA, you may be able to save more for retirement if you both contribute the full amount allowed to your separate IRAs. For 2024, that amount is $7,000 for those under age 50, and $8,000 for those 50 and up. However, your total contributions to both IRAs must not exceed your joint taxable income

The Takeaway

While no specific retirement savings plans — such as 401(k)s or IRAs — offer joint retirement accounts, there are ways for couples to plan and save for retirement together. One way is to each have your own separate IRAs that you contribute to. Another easy way to make sure you’re both taken care of in retirement is to make each other the beneficiaries on your individual accounts.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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