How Long Should an Oil Change Take at a Dealership?

Life is busy. Between work, school, and daily tasks, people have limited time to spend getting their oil changed at a dealership. You want to get what you pay for without worrying about a quick job that doesn’t address your car’s needs or a dealership taking too long and wasting your time. But how long should an oil change take? And at what point are there bigger issues going on?

How Long Do Oil Changes Usually Take at a Dealership?

A long list of factors can influence how long a typical oil change takes at a dealership. On average, most standard oil change services should take between 30 and 60 minutes. Some issues can extend this timeline, such as:

• Appointment vs. walk-in – If you have a scheduled appointment with your dealership, the actual service time may be closer to 30 minutes. That is because fair dealerships will block out your vehicle’s service time. Walk-ins may wait longer depending on how busy the service department is.
• Busy hours – Peak times, like Saturday mornings, may add wait time even if the oil change is relatively quick. Waits can extend upwards of two hours or more. You can reduce significant wait time by scheduling an oil change during “off” hours.
• Type of vehicle – Your vehicle’s specific make, model, and year may influence oil change service times. Some cars have easier access to oil filters and drain plugs, while others require more time and effort.
• Inspection and extras – Dealerships often include a multi-point inspection, fluid top-offs, and tire rotation with the oil change, which can extend the total visit time.

There is a balance between rushing through a job and taking too much time to accomplish a task. Ideally, you want the dealership service personnel to work efficiently to get you and your car back on the road. It also helps to understand that while the oil change may be a 20- to 30-minute job, depending on the vehicle, paperwork and inspections can add additional time.

Red Flags: Extended Time in the Shop for Oil Changes or Having to Change Oil Too Often

If you aren’t a mechanic or car expert, it can be tough to distinguish when a job takes too long or when you visit the dealership for an oil change too often. There are red flags that every car owner should be aware of that may indicate a serious problem with your vehicle or the dealership mechanic servicing it. Look out for these issues:

• Taking more than a couple of hours for a basic oil change – If it consistently takes two or more hours to get your vehicle back, the shop may be understaffed, inefficient, or upselling unnecessary services. Or in some cases, there may be deeper issues going on with your vehicle that they can’t solve.
• Lack of communication – A reputable dealership should always communicate with you and explain why there was a delay in finishing the work on your vehicle. If they leave you waiting without updates, that’s a red flag for customer service and trustworthiness.
• Service required too quickly – Most modern vehicles can safely go between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes with a good-quality synthetic oil. If your dealership insists on oil changes every 3,000 miles or less, that may be a sign of outdated advice, a cash grab, or an oil leak or other mechanical issues. Always check your owner’s manual for specific oil change recommendations.
• Leaking or oil loss between oil changes – If your car loses oil between oil changes, there could be a leak, worn piston rings, or valve issues. You should not need a new oil change or top-off every few weeks.
• Oil looks dirty right after a change – Oil naturally darkens with regular use. However, if your oil starts looking dirty, black, or murky after service, the technician may not have changed it – or there could be other issues with your vehicle.

Most drivers expect an oil change or minor service to take less than an hour. If your car is stuck at the authorized dealership for weeks or you’re constantly going back for oil-related repairs while under warranty, this extensive and repeated downtime could mean your vehicle has a defect that may qualify it as a lemon.

The Dealership Can’t Fix My Oil Issues: Is My Car a Lemon?

While oil changes are routine, oil-related defects can trigger Lemon Law protection if they keep you without your car for an unreasonable amount of time. Issues that may mean a car is a lemon include:

• Excessive oil consumption
• Persistent or recurring leaks
• Extended service times or downtime

California’s Lemon Law protects consumers when a vehicle has a defect covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty that substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. However, the manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to fix the issue. What is considered reasonable will depend on the nature of the defect and how long your vehicle is out of service.

If your car spends an excessive amount of time in the shop for repairs or requires multiple failed repair attempts, you may not just have a service headache. You may have a lemon and need a Lemon Law attorney.

What to Do If You’re Having Recurring Oil Leaks

If you have repeated oil leaks and suspect your vehicle may be a lemon, taking steps to protect yourself is vital. Follow these guidelines:

• Take your vehicle to the manufacturer’s authorized dealership for service or repair work.
• Keep detailed records of your service and repair orders.
• Track all vehicle downtime.
• Document any repeated oil-related issues, such as leaking oil.
• Save all communication with the manufacturer or their authorized dealership.
• Consult an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.

Lemon Laws are complicated, and manufacturers often don’t want to admit issues or work with customers to resolve the costly problems. Contact an experienced California Lemon Law attorney for help for your protection and peace of mind.

The Barry Law Firm Can Help with Your Lemon Vehicle

If an authorized dealer gives you the runaround and your vehicle is under the manufacturer’s original warranty, it may be time to seek legal assistance. At The Barry Law Firm, we help California consumers by focusing on Lemon Law claims and finding legal solutions to their vehicle issues. Our firm has been handling Lemon Law claims since 2010 and has helped thousands of consumers get rid of their defective vehicles – and we never charge our clients anything. Contact our office today for a FAST & FREE consultation to learn how we can help you, too.