Decided to get a full synthetic oil change done at a shop today. The price was 50bucks for 4qts of Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic oil and oil filter change. Is this the usual going price for this kind of oil change? As this is twice the cost of a regular oil change.

That sounds about right. Syn. oil is about twice as much $$ as regular oil...and of course it's always cheaper to do the change yourself.

Syn. oil is about $5 per quart. Another $5 for the filter and it comes to $25 bucks...$30 tops.

Price to do it yourself:

4.50 quarts oil Mobil 1 at walmart approx. $20
1 Nissan oil filter at dealer 5

Total: $25

30 bucks synthetic change at walmart

Thanks for the replies. I would change it myself, if I didnt have to dispose the used oil, as it seems to be a hassle.

The walmarts over here in NY don't have any places for oil changes... They only sell stuff, and thats it.

The Kragen where I live takes used oil for free. Can't imagine that wouldn't be the policy nationwide. There's got to be SOME store where you are that does this.

if you're going to get oil, go to costco and get a Mobil 1 box of 6 for $24. I spent 30 bucks buying 6 filters from Mossy Nissan and had it shipped to my place. Either way it costs just about the same price, but i'd rather have all that at my house than running to dealers.

AutoZone's take used oil for free. Some garages also use it to heat their shops. Call around.The AutoZone here takes up to 5 gallons each visit. Buy a big plastic yellow 5 gallon Diesel container and pour it in that.

-RMB

Here, we just have to put it in a milk gallon and put it out on the street every thursday when garbage and recycling trucks do their weekly rounds


gotta love cali!

We do the same here! Gotta love Chi-town!

I went with Royal Purple and it cost me $50 also, but you only need to change it every 5,000 miles. I have heard that when you switch 2 synthetic if you dont have all the regular oil flushed out, it could clump. Dont know how true that is.

I switched from regular oil to synthetic and I have had no problems.... You would be perfectly safe in switching.... The only reason to flush out your engine is if you have alot of sludge building up.....

That's a big debate on this site. I just went and got some engine flush and Mobile 1 synthetic oil to switch over. The guy at the autoparts store did say that exact samething though, that the old oil would clump or something. I think I will do a test when I change it, I will mix the two in a container and see what happens. I know heat could be a factor also.

How long do you guys go between changes? 5,000 miles seems awful short for that much extra money. I can go 5,000 on regular oil and it's still pretty clean.

i run mobil 1 syn...and i actually went 9K btw my last oil change(not on purpose) but when i drained the oil it was still clean...no clumps and the it wasn't real dark yet either...so, i don't know...i don't recommend going 9K btw oil changes though. i like to get it done every 6K...although they say 8K for syn...to each his own i guess

Well, I asked the guy if whether or not I needed to flush it first. He said that I didn't, and just drained and refilled with synthetic. My car only has 11,000 miles on it anyhow, and do regular oil changes. Sure hope I don't get clumping.

I'm going to play it by ear this first time. Maybe change the filter at 5 and go from there. I think everyone is just so use to the 3/3000 and to even think about 2 or 3x that amount is hard to imagine.

All synthetic motor oils are 100% compatible with regular motor oils. You could mix it 50/50 and be absolutely fine, albeit wasting your money.

-RMB

What's the advantage of synthetic over natural

In NY, by law, any place that changes oil must take your used oil.

Synthetic wont break down as easy as regular motor oil, it lasts longer....