How Long Should an Oil Change Take?

For most cars, a professional oil change takes 20–45 minutes at a quick-lube shop, about 45–90 minutes of service time at a dealership (often 1–2 hours door-to-door including check-in and inspection), and 30–90 minutes if you’re doing it yourself. Larger trucks, diesels, or vehicles with extensive underbody panels can take 60–120 minutes. These ranges reflect the drain time, filter swap, refill, inspections, and paperwork/reset steps.

What Determines the Duration

Several practical factors influence how long an oil change actually takes, even when the service is advertised as “express.” Understanding these variables can help you plan your visit and set realistic expectations.

• Vehicle design: Underbody aero shields or skid plates add removal/refit time; cartridge-style oil filters can be slower than spin-on types.
• Engine size and oil capacity: Bigger sumps (e.g., trucks, performance cars, diesels) take longer to drain and refill.
• Accessibility: Tight filter locations or low-clearance vehicles complicate the job.
• Oil temperature: Warm oil drains faster than cold oil; extreme heat can slow the process for safety reasons.
• Shop workflow: Dealer visits often include a multi-point inspection and wash; quick-lube bays prioritize speed over full inspections.
• Appointment vs. walk-in: Queues and technician availability can add significant wait time.
• Additional services: Tire rotations, air/cabin filter changes, and fluid top-offs add minutes.
• Condition of parts: Seized filters, worn drain plugs, or missing crush washers can cause delays.
• Model-specific quirks: Some European and newer models (2021–2025) have larger undertrays or cartridge housings that require extra care.

Taken together, these variables explain why a routine oil change can be a quick stop for one vehicle and a longer appointment for another, even at the same shop.

Typical Timelines by Scenario

Here’s how long you can generally expect to spend based on where and how you service the vehicle.

• Quick-lube/express bay: 20–45 minutes of service time, assuming no queue and readily accessible filter.
• Independent shop: 30–60 minutes, often with a brief inspection or fluid checks.
• Dealership: 45–90 minutes of service time; plan for 60–120 minutes total visit including check-in, inspection, and any complimentary wash.
• DIY at home: 30–90 minutes for most cars; first-timers may need 60–120 minutes to gather tools and work carefully.
• Trucks/diesels/high-capacity systems: 60–120 minutes due to larger oil volume and, at times, multiple filters.
• Vehicles with large undertrays or skid plates: Add roughly 10–30 minutes for removal/refitting.

If you’re outside these ranges, it’s often due to queues, added inspection items, or a fitment issue. Asking for an ETA at check-in is the best way to calibrate expectations.

What Happens During an Oil Change

Although it’s a routine service, an oil change includes several steps that ensure the engine is protected and the job is documented correctly.

1. Check-in and service write-up, confirming oil type and filter.
2. Warm-up (if needed) and vehicle lift or positioning on ramps.
3. Drain old oil and inspect the drain plug and washer.
4. Replace the oil filter (spin-on or cartridge) and lubricate/replace seals as required.
5. Reinstall drain plug to spec, often with a new crush washer.
6. Refill with the correct grade and quantity of oil.
7. Start engine, check for leaks, and verify oil level after circulation.
8. Perform ancillary checks (fluids, tire pressures) if included.
9. Reset the maintenance/service reminder in the instrument cluster.
10. Finalize paperwork, disposal, and return the vehicle.

Each step is brief, but together they explain why even efficient services rarely take less than 20 minutes once the vehicle is in the bay.

How to Reduce Your Wait

A few simple choices can meaningfully shorten your total time, especially at busy shops or dealerships.

• Book an appointment and ask for a written ETA.
• Arrive outside peak times (mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays).
• Confirm the shop has your specific filter and oil in stock before you go.
• Drive the car for 5–10 minutes beforehand so the oil is warm (but not scorching).
• Limit add-on services if you only need an oil change.
• For DIY, lay out tools, a new crush washer, and the correct filter before you begin.

Planning ahead typically trims delays from parts sourcing, cold-oil drain times, and high-traffic periods.

When Delays Are a Red Flag

Occasional slowdowns are normal, but certain issues can justify extra time—or a second opinion.

• Stripped or cross-threaded drain plug or filter housing.
• Seized oil filter or damaged housing cap (common on plastic cartridge caps).
• Persistent leaks after refill that require rework.
• Wrong or unavailable filter or oil grade for your engine.

If a shop encounters one of these problems, ask for a clear explanation and options; cutting corners can be costlier than a careful, slower fix.

Summary

Expect 20–45 minutes for a quick-lube oil change, 45–90 minutes of service time at a dealership (1–2 hours total visit), and 30–90 minutes for DIY. Variations stem from vehicle design, shop workflow, and added inspections. Planning ahead and confirming parts availability are the simplest ways to keep your oil change within the expected time window.

How long does a Jiffy Lube oil change take?

15 minutes
Jiffy Lube provides an oil change service in 15 minutes or less. Learn more about the oil change process.

How long should an oil change take by yourself?

Finally, DIY oil changes typically take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on your tools, experience, and garage setup. Another factor is what kind of car you drive. Many cars have oil drain plugs and filters that are easily accessible on the bottom of the vehicle, but not all cars do.

How long do oil changes normally take?

20 to 45 minutes
But how long does an oil change take? In most cases, a professional oil change can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. If you don’t make an appointment before taking your car for an oil change, it could potentially take longer depending on how busy the service center is.

Is $100 for an oil change normal?

An oil change costing $100 can be normal, especially for a full synthetic oil change on a newer or larger vehicle, though it can also be a high price depending on factors like location, the specific shop, and current oil prices. To determine if $100 is a fair price for you, consider the type of oil required by your car, compare prices from several service centers, and explore the option of a DIY oil change to save money on labor costs. 
Factors influencing the cost:

• Type of Oil: Opens in new tabSynthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, and a change with full synthetic oil will be at the higher end of the price range. 
• Vehicle Make and Model: Opens in new tabSome vehicles require more oil, specialized filters, or have more complex engine designs that increase labor time and cost. 
• Service Provider: Opens in new tabDealerships and specialized auto shops may charge more for their services than quick-lube chains. 
• Labor Costs and Location: Opens in new tabWages for technicians, the cost of living in your area, and local business expenses all contribute to the overall price. 

When $100 might be justified:

• Your car requires full synthetic oil and a high-quality filter. 
• You’re using a reputable dealership or a well-established repair shop that provides excellent customer service and thorough inspections. 
• The value of your time is high, and you prefer to pay for the convenience and expertise of a professional shop rather than doing it yourself. 

How to get a better price or ensure value:

• Compare prices: Call several different shops, including quick-lube places and dealerships, to get quotes. 
• Look for deals: Check shop websites for coupons or check with your car’s manufacturer for bundled maintenance deals. 
• Change it yourself: If you’re comfortable with it, changing your own oil can save you a significant amount on labor costs. 
• Be wary of the cheapest options: While price isn’t everything, extremely low-cost options could mean lower-quality parts or less careful work, according to Quora users.