Oil change: do it yourself or have the garage do it?

What doing it yourself involves

• The right oil: not just 5W-30, but the manufacturer's approval, in the right quantity.
• Safely under the car: on axle stands, not on the jack. On many cars an undertray has to come off first.
• Drain plug and washer: the washer should be new, the plug tightened to the correct torque. Threads in an aluminium sump are easily damaged.
• Waste oil and filter: chemical waste, to be handed in at the municipal recycling centre.
• Service indicator: on many modern cars it can only be reset with diagnostic equipment.

Where it often goes wrong

An old washer that starts to seep, a plug overtightened, an oil filter with the old rubber seal still stuck to the housing, or a level not rechecked after starting. None of these show immediately; the consequences do.

What you get extra at the garage

A service is not just about the oil. With the car on the lift we see leaks, brakes, tyres, suspension and exhaust from below. The service indicator is reset and the work recorded on the invoice — important for warranty and resale value.

Want to know the difference? The service calculator shows the oil, parts and price including labour for your car.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my own oil without losing the warranty?

In principle yes, if you can prove it was done to specification with the right oil. In practice a garage invoice is the simplest proof.

Where do I hand in used oil?

At your municipality's recycling centre, together with the old filter. Never down the drain or in household waste.

Can I bring my own oil to the garage?

Please contact us first. We prefer oil whose approval and origin we know for sure.

See what it costs to have it done in the service calculator or read more about the oil change in Tilburg.