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I WAS HAPPY TO receive this year’s boost to my Social Security benefit—but I’m regularly reminded that it doesn’t match the endless inflation.
A case in point: The same oil change at the same gas station for my 2020 Honda Fit cost me 28% more last week than it did nine months earlier. With detailed invoices, I could compare the reasons for the jump. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the cost of four quarts of full synthetic oil, which was just 7% more, or the $8.63 filter, which was the same price.
To be sure, synthetic oil is pricier than conventional oil, but it’s becoming standard on most new vehicles and it’s believed to be the better choice, according to a 2019 Consumer Reports article. I drove almost 9,000 miles before the maintenance reminder suggested changing the oil.
So, what drove the 28% increase? As you might expect, labor costs were the main reason. The labor for the oil change went from $15 to $20, and the tire rotation from $20 to $30. I live steps away from this gas station and for months had seen the “mechanic wanted” sign on the curb. Maybe it’s no surprise to see a shortage of mechanics in this university town that’s overflowing with folks with graduate degrees, including me. According to Indeed.com, there were 164 auto mechanic or auto technician jobs available in the city. Most of the jobs pay $22 to $30 an hour.
A lack of mechanics is one reason car repair costs are now 23% higher than last year. That increase is four times higher than overall inflation, according to an ABC News story. Other reasons include shortages and higher costs for parts, and more high-tech vehicles requiring expensive equipment.
At the same time, 15 million more vehicles were added to our roads between 2016 and 2021, while the pandemic closed 19,000 service bays in 2020 and more in 2021. This trend is expected to continue to the point where there’ll be a record high number of cars and light trucks per service bay by 2025. On top of that, the growth in the number of electric vehicles is predicted to further stress the car repair business.
Of course, I know it would be far cheaper to replace my own oil and filter, but the condo rules don’t allow it. The good news: It doesn’t have to be done that often—because I don’t drive that frequently.
Since the cost of an oil change has been explained, I’m puzzled why a can of Lysol is over 7 bucks at Walmart now? Any takers?
Synthetic oil is\was really marketing driven. I did a lot of research in this area and come out using regular dyno oil and getting oil analysis done. A few key things to think about. Oil carries ‘dirt’ and synthetic can carry no more dirt than dyno, which is a big reason I started getting analysis done. The ‘extra’ wear on cold startups with dyno is really insignificant over the life of the engine. The extra heat that synthetic can stand is pointless as well, if your engine gets that hot you have much bigger issue at hand. If think there is or was some needed uses for synthetics on some turbo charged motors but believe that was related more to poor design.
Other advantages with oil analysis is that it can detect many other issues early. They can tell you if your air filter is dirty, if there is gas or water in the oil and show bearings and other mechanical failures early on. Trace metal elements detected in the oil .
Analysis has gone up in cost, I used to pay $20 a pop, it’s now $32 and synthetic has came down in price a lot so I am rethinking my decisions due to economics now. It used to be the $20 easily made up for the oil price difference. I use Blackstone Labs https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Turbos run extremely hot at much higher speeds than the engines, thus the genuine need for synthetic lubrication. The vehicle’s manufacturer is the final authority on what should be used in their product, initially for warranty purposes of course, but then why deviate from that recommendation for a couple of bucks an oil change with an easily $10,000 engine replacement?
Unless you bother to analyze your oil which few people do.
Depending on where you live, how dusty, with synthetic oil you don’t really need to change your oil after 9k.
I often do to but I do it when convenient but I want to feel like I am paying now vs. paying later even though it isn’t truly necessary.
hah, I don’t see the need to rotate tires either, ok you get a bit better life out of them but, at 30 bucks a pop it feels like a wash to me.
I, and apparently 691K subscribers, rely a good deal on a YouTube master mechanic for auto advice. While his channel is about Toyotas, this video about oil changes would probably apply to any new-ish car. Start at the 2:30 mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdNCnYHhEm8&list=PL9viAUZ9HXWZMN07pQ3kOJSA0PA9KOCi1&index=9
I’d worked in my youth and formal schooling days for a well known local auto-tech. Over the years
he had a call in radio program, still has a paper column, and otherwise ran a 10bay shop in its administrative hierarchy’s of its jobs day.
He’s recently chose to close his well known primary shop to service his long time followers closer to home. So he sold the R.E., and moved the operation closed to home. He’d previously had a 1 one hour ride each way.
During conventional retirement he’s opened another location closer to home. Keeps him busy, and a particular temperament is necessary. I myself do not believe if ones health is cooperative everybody wants to retire to what retirements sold as.
No doubt the pandemic had an extraordinary effect on all businesses.
Some people like to build homes, autos, or whatnot.
Some do so, work, till it’s not feasible.
For some reason,
LPL financial comes to mind with Susan Kaplan.
Seems somewhat similar,.. afaik.
The tire stores I buy from throw in free rotation with tire purchase or road hazard, don’t remember which.
I used to go to a well known franchise to have our vehicles serviced because I liked talking to the mechanics directly. After too many mess-ups, I now go to the dealership. I used to think dealerships were way over priced, but after comparing prices and efficiency getting the work done, plus better warranty on items, the dealership wins my service.
Dealerships are just as bad at oil changes as others. Had issues at both Mazda and Toyota with their free 2 years of oil changes after buying new a few years back. Mazda left the oil plug finger tight and Toyota used impact to tighten wheels and I had to replace a few studs. I continue to do all maintenance I can myself.
Amen to that, I had to fire an independent shop I used for many years because they had a mechanic install an oil filter with an impact wrench. Management refused to admit there was anything wrong. The dealership is worth the extra cost to me.
I use dealership too. It probably does cost more, but i get a comfort level and they usually have all the parts needed.
Financially not a sound move unless there are no local shops around and you are a one car family.
Dealerships pay/incentivize everyone to say you need work on your car whether you do or not. My BF son works as a mechanic and he is a good one both he and the sales rep get a % of any work they recommend that you accept.
Unfortunately, this impacts those less knowledgeable about their vehicles, because in an ideal world only needed repairs would be recommended by “experts”, but in reality you are at the mercy of those who can benefit from your ignorance.
Now, imagine if you crossed a dealership employee with an insurance agent or a stock broker. The ignorant wouldn’t stand a chance!
Just think of what the growing number of EVs is doing to road tax income that is built into the gasoline tax. That will be the next big crisis – the transportation trust is being depleted. Or, the gasoline tax must increase. Or, some kind of surtax is added at charging stations.
Do EVs need mechanics?
In discussion with a friend, I was complaining about how EVs don’t pay gas tax, thus they are not supporting our road funds in Ohio. He corrected me, and I confirmed on the Ohio BMV website, Ohio charges $100 additional for a hybrid and $200 additional for a pure EV when buying your annual license plate sticker. I did some back of the envelope math and figure this works out to the equivalent of 15,000 miles worth of Ohio’s gas tax driving an average MPG vehicle, so that seems pretty fair. Do other states have this same surcharge?
With more and more EV’s coming, and mega data tracking being ever more obtrusive, I see a mileage tax in our future. Or more likely our kids future.
Do EV’s need mechanics? At least Tesla does.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/tesla-wins-award-for-most-recalled-car
Since they have already had EV recalls, I would say they will need mechanics!! There has been a shortage of auto mechanics and collision repair technicians since the 1980s. As a former collision shop owner, getting
good technicians trained and retained is a never ending job function.
So, it seems you would be the one to ask: Supply and Demand. Why do businesses not offer higher pay in order to attract those desperately needed workers? Yes, it would increase the customer’s cost, but they would either pay happily to get service now or be unhappy while waiting in a long line at a cheaper and worse place.
They certainly do for CEO’s and high level managers, without batting an eye
I’m feeling the shortage of mechanics in my town. My long-time trusted mechanic closed his shop last year to take a teaching job. I’m still trying to get comfortable with the replacement he recommended.