How Long Does an Oil Change Take? Average Time Explained

You can’t talk about car maintenance without mentioning an engine oil change. An oil change is one of the most common car maintenance activities every vehicle requires. It is an easy, essential maintenance task every mechanic and DIYer should know. An oil change keeps the engine running smoothly and enhances engine protection. But how long does an oil change take? If this is your contemplation, stick to the end of this article. You'll find out in the following few paragraphs. How Long Does an Oil Change Take? An engine oil change is an easy maintenance task. Engine oil change takes 15 to 45 minutes. The process involves draining out the old oil from the oil sump, changing the oil filter, and pouring in new engine oil. After the oil change, the mechanic will inspect other system components, like the brakes. They will also inspect fluid levels, such as brake fluid, wiper fluid, and engine coolant, and top them off if needed. If you’re a big fan of Mr. Lube and Jiffy Lube, you may ask how long an oil change takes at Mr. Lube or how long an oil change takes at Jiffy Lube. Mr. Lube and Jiffy Lube take 20 to 45 minutes to change the engine oil and filter. If you want an oil change faster, consider visiting a quick lube shop. They’ll change your engine oil and filter in 15 minutes. This, however, does not include your wait time. Depending on the customers waiting before you, you may spend an extra 5 to 15 minutes. If you want to change the oil yourself, it'll take you 30 minutes to 1 hour. It takes DIYers a little longer to change their own engine oil because they are not used to it. When Do You Require an Oil Change? Every car is different. Manufacturers and experts recommend changing engine oil every 3,000 miles or three months. However, things have changed, and newer cars now require an oil change every 6,000 to 7,500 miles or six months. Also, oil producers have adopted newer additives and technologies for formulating lubricants. If your car uses full synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 to 15,000 miles before requiring an engine oil change. Why does an oil change take so long? Oil change takes a long time due to customer wait time at the mechanic shop, gravity, and oil filter location. For instance, the engine oil relies on gravity to drain, so the mechanic spends time waiting for it to drain. And if the oil filter location is less accessible, it’ll take the technician longer to remove and reinstall it. Lastly, oil changes take so long at mechanic shops because customers are waiting before you. How long should I wait to drive after changing the oil? You should start your engine and let it run for at least a minute after an oil change. After that, you can drive the vehicle without waiting any longer, provided the oil is at the right level. Can the oil be changed in 10 minutes? Technically, some technicians can change your engine oil and oil filter within 10 minutes, depending on the type of vehicle. However, this can only be achieved when doing a fundamental oil change that does not include tire rotation, wiper blade change, fluid inspection, or brake work. It also excludes the wait time. Therefore, it’s better to estimate 20 to 45 minutes for oil and filter change, including wait time. Can you go 2 years without an oil change? It is not advisable to drive for 2 years without changing the engine oil. Driving for 2 years without changing the motor oil can cause engine sludge, which can degrade the engine's performance. Most car manufacturers recommend changing engine oil every 6 months, whether the vehicle is parked or not. But you should change engine oils every 10,000 to 15,000 miles if you are using full synthetic oil. What’s the farthest you can go without an oil change? Generally, cars require changing the engine oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles with mineral oil and 10,000 to 15,000 miles with full synthetic oil. It is better to change the engine oil before the recommended intervals than to drive above them. Is it normal for an oil change to take 2 hours? Typically, an oil and filter change should take 15 to 45 minutes at a repair shop and 30 to 60 minutes if you change the oil at home. Meanwhile, a full-service oil change can take 1 to 2 hours at an auto repair center. The full-service oil change includes services like: Virtually inspecting vehicles for damage Checking the car battery Tire rotation Checking wiper blades Lubricating chassis as necessary Checking tire pressure Checking the brake fluid levels Inspecting for leaks Inspecting the suspension and steering system Topping off fluids (like washer fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant, differential fluids, and transmission fluids) Inspecting the undercarriage, skid plates, hoses, and belts Check and change brake discs and drums as needed. Do you stay in the car during an oil change? You can stay inside the vehicle while the technician changes the engine oil and the oil filter, especially if it doesn’t involve lifting the car. However, some technicians will not allow you to sit inside the vehicle while they work on it. Instead, they’ll ask you to sit in their waiting room. How long can a car run without oil? Running without oil will start causing damage to the internal engine parts within a minute. The damage will become catastrophic and may lead to engine knock within 10 minutes if there’s no oil at all. Please disregard any information that says otherwise. Is it better to do an oil change, hot or cold? It is better to drain engine oil when the vehicle is hot than cold because gravity does a lot of work in draining the old oil. The motor oil becomes thinner when hot, making it easier to drain faster. Meanwhile, the engine should not be too hot to avoid burning your hand. Instead, it should be warm. If the vehicle has been on the road for a long time, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes to cool down before draining the oil. But if you want to service a parked vehicle, start it and let it idle for 3 to 5 minutes to warm the engine oil so it runs faster. Is it OK to change oil once a year? It’s okay to change the engine oil once a year if it's running on full synthetic oil. Meanwhile, the vehicle should not exceed 10,000 to 15,000 miles. However, you should change your motor oil twice a year or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles with mineral oil. Final Words Several factors, such as your vehicle type, who’s performing the oil change, and the wait time, determine the duration of the oil change. This article provides a detailed explanation of how long an oil change takes. Oil change takes 20 to 45 minutes on average. Full-service engine oil changes will take longer.