I moved to rural Alaska in 2018, the land of not having to maintain a car. Left 2016 Hyundai Accent with adult son who has taken good care of since. Bought a 2022 Hyundai Kona in summer 2021. Pandemic car, so felt lucky to get a decent deal, and the car came with free oil changes that have been depleted.
I moved back to Texas in late May this year, and sticker shock on oil changes fully hit today. The other day went to War-mart with hopes of a $25 oil change that were soon dashed. Wal-Mart first told me that I needed to get the fully synthetic oil change, which is the recommended oil. I read the manual later today. Then they came back with "we don't have that filter", which might be slightly misleading, because as I understand it the oil filter on a Hyundai is in a difficult to access place that requires a special tool. So, even though Walmart advertises fully synthetic oil change for $45, there is no chance of that ever happening because of the filter thing.
I was behind on mileage so I found an independent mechanic who charged an unbelievable $82, and that is after a $5 reduction. They charged two little fees of $2 each in addition to the high price. The man alleged that if I ever have an issue with the engine, he claimed Hyundai would demand receipt to prove I used fully synthetic oil. I gave in, then did the research and sure enough they only recommend fully synethic oil.
So conservatively speaking, I am looking at a 300%+ increase in an oil change price since 2018. $25 to over $75. Ouch!
Also did internet research that reveals the fully synthetic oil is actually good for 10k miles, depending upon conditions, but Hyundai will not stand behind an oil change that far apart.
I priced five quarts of synthetic oil and it is $25.
Anybody have any ideas? I'm in a big enough city, I might go to the smallest independent mechanic in town, bringing the oil and filter to him and get charged maybe $50-60?
The only good news we are a one car family, so the oil will only need to be changed about twice per year. The sad thing is I need to find a reliable mechanic anyway, and maintenance is just insane with these prices.
I moved back to Texas in late May this year, and sticker shock on oil changes fully hit today. The other day went to War-mart with hopes of a $25 oil change that were soon dashed. Wal-Mart first told me that I needed to get the fully synthetic oil change, which is the recommended oil. I read the manual later today. Then they came back with "we don't have that filter", which might be slightly misleading, because as I understand it the oil filter on a Hyundai is in a difficult to access place that requires a special tool. So, even though Walmart advertises fully synthetic oil change for $45, there is no chance of that ever happening because of the filter thing.
I was behind on mileage so I found an independent mechanic who charged an unbelievable $82, and that is after a $5 reduction. They charged two little fees of $2 each in addition to the high price. The man alleged that if I ever have an issue with the engine, he claimed Hyundai would demand receipt to prove I used fully synthetic oil. I gave in, then did the research and sure enough they only recommend fully synethic oil.
So conservatively speaking, I am looking at a 300%+ increase in an oil change price since 2018. $25 to over $75. Ouch!
Also did internet research that reveals the fully synthetic oil is actually good for 10k miles, depending upon conditions, but Hyundai will not stand behind an oil change that far apart.
I priced five quarts of synthetic oil and it is $25.
Anybody have any ideas? I'm in a big enough city, I might go to the smallest independent mechanic in town, bringing the oil and filter to him and get charged maybe $50-60?
The only good news we are a one car family, so the oil will only need to be changed about twice per year. The sad thing is I need to find a reliable mechanic anyway, and maintenance is just insane with these prices.
Statistics: Posted by AlaskaTeach — Sat Aug 03, 2024 9:50 pm — Replies 11 — Views 835