how long does an oil change take

The duration of an oil change can vary depending on several factors, including whether you are doing it yourself, taking it to a quick lube shop, or visiting a full-service repair shop.

DIY Oil Change

• If you are changing the oil yourself, it typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your tools, experience, and the accessibility of the oil drain plug and filter on your vehicle12.

Quick Lube Shops

• At quick lube shops like Jiffy Lube or Valvoline Instant Oil Change, an oil change can take as little as 15 minutes. These shops specialize in quick service and often handle multiple vehicles efficiently23.

Full-Service Shops

• At full-service shops or repair shops, the process can take a bit longer, usually between 30 to 45 minutes. This is because these shops may perform additional inspections and maintenance tasks beyond just the oil change15.

Dealerships

• If you take your vehicle to a dealership, the actual oil change itself might only take about 30 minutes, but you may experience longer wait times due to the dealership's service schedule and backlog. Wait times can sometimes extend to several hours4.

In summary, the quickest option is typically a quick lube shop, while DIY and full-service shops take a bit longer, and dealerships can have the longest wait times despite the actual service time being relatively short.