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Does Costco Do Oil Changes?

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Does Costco Do Oil Change?
Does Costco do oil change? It seems like a reasonable question. After all, they offer auto maintenance, and oil changes are one of the most common types of auto maintenance required by every vehicle. And yet, there seems to be a lot of confusion about whether or not Costco will change your oil.

 

Why Oil Change is Important

We all know that we need to change the oil in our car regularly. But why? The short answer is that it keeps everything operating efficiently. Allowing your car to run on filthy oil makes it work harder. This wastes gas and stresses your vehicle.

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How Often Must You Change Your Car Oil?

That said, many people waste money changing their car’s oil too frequently. The old thinking was that every car should have an oil change every 3000 miles. These days, though, most modern cars can go between 5000 and 10000 miles before an oil change.

Yes, you want to change your oil regularly. But no, you don’t have to change it every 3000 miles. Strike a balance and save yourself some money without doing damage to your car. Research what your own car needs; most likely an oil change every 7500 miles will be just fine.

Oil Changes at the Dealership

If you have purchased a car at a dealership, then you might just go directly to them for all car repairs and maintenance. In some cases, the dealership’s warranty makes this the best option. Often, however, getting basic service at the dealership costs you more money than it should.

Instead, you should consider other options. That’s why a lot of savvy shoppers want to know, “Does Costco do oil change?” After all, the store is known for its affordability.

So, Does Costco do oil change?

No. Costco does not do oil change.

Although Costco does have an automotive repair and maintenance center, the store’s services are extremely limited. They primarily offer services for tires through their stores that have a Tire Center.

What About With the Costco Auto Program?

You might be aware that this company offers the Costco Auto Program. Through this program, Costco has partnered with participating service providers to offer a discount to Costco members. You can use this program to save 15% off of parts, labor and accessories for your vehicle. You can save up to $500 per visit with this deal.

Unfortunately, though, oil changes are not included in the Costco Auto Program. Incidentally, it also doesn’t cover tires or air bags. So, while this program might be a great way to save money on other car maintenance and repairs, it’s not going to help you reduce the cost of your oil change.

Why Doesn’t Costco Do Oil Change?

While the reason that Costco does not do oil changes is speculative, Costco’s business model is designed around providing bulk goods, not highly personalized services. While they do have the Costco Tire Centers as an option, the service has generally received mixed reviews. This is a company that knows what their strengths and weaknesses are and perhaps that’s why they don’t offer oil change services. It’s simply not their strength.

So, Where Should You Get Your Oil Changed?

Costco won’t give you an oil change. You’ll need to come up with alternatives. We’ve already ruled out the dealership as a less than ideal option due to cost. That said, the dealerships does tend to have the most up-to-date equipment for brand new vehicles, so if you can get a good price at your dealership then it’s worth a try.

Another common option is to get your oil change at a commercial business specializing in this service. Firestone, Pep Boys and Jiffy Lube are businesses which operate in this market. The advantage of a commercial oil change business is they are typically cheaper than dealerships. Plus, they work specifically in this niche. If all that your car needs is an oil change, they can be a good choice. Moreover, Costco does sometimes have deals on gift cards for Jiffy Lube and other commercial businesses, so you can save money on an oil change with Costco even though they don’t provide the service themselves.

Find a trustworthy mechanic. It’s worth it to invest time to find a mechanic that you like and trust. You car will inevitably need repairs, in addition to the basic maintenance such as the oil change. Find one in your area that is affordable and does good work.

Change the oil yourself. Buy the oil that you need at a discount from Walmart, Amazon, or any other number of sources. In fact, even though Costco doesn’t do oil change, they do sell oil, so you might get it there. If you don’t know how to change your own oil, visit YouTube or ask for help from a friend with this knowledge. Doing your own car repairs can go a long way towards reducing the cost of car ownership. It’s worth it to learn at least the basics.

How to Save Money on Oil Changes

Buying oil at a discount and doing the oil change yourself is a great way to save money. However, it’s not the only option. Here are some additional tips:

  • Look for coupons and other deals. As aforementioned, Costco even sometimes has discounted gift cards for oil changes at places like Jiffy Lube. Check for other deals in your area any time that you need to get an oil change.
  • Ask your mechanic and / or dealership if they’ll match low prices. Sometimes they will and it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.
  • Skip the upsell. Your auto mechanic is likely to suggest other things that you need every time that you get an oil change. However, if you don’t need an air filter, yet, don’t get one. Know what your car needs, and how often it needs it, and do just that but no more.
  • Bring your own oil to the mechanic. Did you know that you don’t have to buy your oil at the mechanic even if they do the job? You can usually bring your own and simply pay for labor. Therefore, get the discounted oil at a place like Costco then bring it with you to the auto shop.

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How to Get Paid by Advertising on Your Car

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advertise with your car

You have probably seen cars driving around with advertisements on the side or top of the vehicle. This is called wrapping. It’s a way for companies to gain attention for their products and services. Moreover, it’s a way for car owners to make a little bit of extra money. Here’s how to get started if you want to advertise with your car.

Research Companies to Advertise with Your Car

Unfortunately, there are a lot of wrapping scams out there. The scams vary but if a company asks you for money then you should be wary. When you advertise with your car, it’s a job. They should pay you, not the other way around.

One variation on this is the company will offer to send you money before you’ve even begun to advertise with your car. Then they ask you to wire back some of that money. This is a huge scam. Don’t buy into it.

If you’re serious that you want to advertise with your car, then you need to research to make sure that you work with a legitimate company. Investopedia says that Carvertise, Nickelytics, and Wrapify are three legitimate businesses to work with. Survey Clarity also lists Varvertise and Wrapify along with another six companies that they say are legitimate.

But do your own research. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Read reviews of different companies. Be selective about who you work with.

How it Works

When you sign up with a legitimate car wrapping company, they will ask you a series of questions. Think of it this way: the people who are advertising on your car want to make sure that the ads are seen by the right potential customers. Therefore they need to know things like where you typically drive, how often you’re on the road, perhaps where you park your car. The more information that you provide to the company, the more likely you are to get matched with good advertising opportunities.

Some of the things advertisers look for:

  • Typical mileage driven including routes (they’ll often request GPS information)
  • Clean, undamaged car
  • Your driving record, car insurance, and age (typically companies accept drivers 18+)

When the right match comes along, the car wrapping company will notify you. They’ll provide you all of the details about the advertising campaign. This includes how long you’ll advertise the product for. Once you agree to the terms, the company sends you the advertisement. Often, this is simply a vinyl sticker that you place on the side of your car. Of course, you’ll follow whatever rules you’ve agreed to for the campaign.

Then you’ll sit back and let the money come in. While you shouldn’t expect to get rich when you advertise with your car, you can definitely make some extra side income. Reports indicate that you can earn a few hundred dollars per month this way. Some people earn more, depending on the ads that they qualify for.

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Cheap Car Brands You Shouldn’t Buy

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Cheap car brands

Now that people are starting to return to work, it’s inevitable that some will need some new transportation. If you’re one of the lucky folk that can afford a new car, my first tip is… don’t. Although I am generally opposed to generating car debt, I know some of you just can’t help yourselves.

New cars have a feel of their own, and many can’t get enough of it. Since I know this about you already, I’ll leave you with the second-best bit of advice I have: The cheap car brands you should avoid.

Avoid At All Costs

Kia/Hyundai

Listen, I know Kia’s prices are insane. In fact, when you get to the dealer, the deals they will make for you are even more insane. Don’t fall for the trap, these cars are basically disposable. While Kia had some decent cars way back in the day, they have shifted their focus on being cheap, decent looking– and barely operable. They’ll feel good at the dealership, but once your warranty wraps up, the build quality will start to rear its ugly teeth.

Kia’s engine recall list looks like the Webster dictionary, with major faults such as engines that produce black sludge to dangerous fuel leaks that can cause fires. Kia is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, and Hyundai brand cars have many of the same issues. With the same draw of decent looks, modern feel, and shockingly low price tags, newer Hyundai models will most likely leave you stranded almost as quickly as Kias.

Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge

Another instance of a dumpster fire taking ownership of a sinking oil tanker is Fiat-Chrysler. This one is probably even worse than Hyundai and Kia. With Fiat seemingly a year away from pulling out of the United States completely, its reliance on the horribly-built parts of its subsidiary has been one of many downfalls. Just like the last pairing, these three brands own the dealership game. With the prices they offer and deceiving looks, it is easy to accidentally drive one off of the lot. Dodge may still have somewhat reliable flagship engines such as its HEMI, the ensemble surrounding them make it too great a risk. Do not make this mistake, you will regret it.

Try to Avoid

Nissan

Recently, Nissan’s parent company announced that it saw $4 billion in losses. These losses were caused primarily by the Nissan brand, as they have fallen hard from its glory days of reliable Datsun vehicles. After being purchased by Renault, Nissan started to tank when it came to reliability. They have many of the same downfalls as the “avoid at all costs” brands, but its looks and practicality put them a little bit ahead of those. While Japanese cars increase their perceived value on the resale market, you don’t even want to take the risk. Cheap plastic parts and transmission issues are the major downfalls with these.

What Should I Buy?

This is really up to personal taste. If you have to have a new car, save up (or borrow) a little extra for a Toyota or Honda. If you’re in the cheap car brand game, these two will give you a lot more bang for the buck. The fatter down payment, or larger monthly payments, will hurt a little; it will all be worth it when you realize you will be able to keep the car for twice as long.

Not only that, but the car will feel new for much longer, and be far more capable on the road down the line. There is nothing more valuable in a commuter car than peace of mind, and the build quality of these two Japanese giants will give you that in spades. Finally, if you decide you eventually want something new, resale values on Hondas and Toyotas are amazing for sellers.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Is Costco Gas Quality the Same as Exxon, Shell and Chevron?

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Costco Gas Quality

 

Everyone loves Costco, right? They treat their employees much better than other businesses, and they have competitive prices on a wide variety of items. In fact, Costco is known for some of the lowest prices on gas and if you want to shop gas at Costco, get a $20 Costco Shop Card for that.

But what do these low prices mean when it comes to Costco gas quality?

Cheap Gas But What About Costco Gas Quality?

Costco gas prices positively cannot be beaten. Typically, this means that a company saves money by making a cheaper product. This can call into question the quality of Costco’s black gold.

When Costco is selling its gasoline for so much less than the competition, it’s natural to be skeptical and wonder if the quality is equal to brand-name gasoline such as Exxon, Shell, and Chevron. Most people want to know if Costco gas is good quality fuel, or if it might cause long-term damage to their fuel system.

Gas Quality Standards

First, it’s important to note that the government sets fairly stringent standards for all gasoline sold in the United States. When it comes to octane level and other specific gasoline characteristics, all gas is basically the same. The difference between the fuel that you buy at branded gas stations comes down to the detergents that are added to the gas.

Even with detergents, the government sets standards. The federal government has required since 1995 that all gasoline sold in the U.S. must contain a certain amount of detergent additives. These additives are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved, and the amount of detergent which must be added to keep vehicle engines free from deposits is regulated. Costco gasoline meets all these requirements, despite being so much cheaper than surrounding stations. Just because you are saving money, that does not mean that they have skimped out, or skirted any regulations.

Is Costco Gas As Good As the Competitors?

So, Costco meets the minimum requirements, but is it still as good as other brand-name gasoline? A number of automakers made the decision that the U.S. government additive requirement wasn’t high enough for many cars. As a result, they developed a “Top Tier” standard. In order to meet the “Top Tier” designation, the fuel sold at the gas station must meet additive requirements higher than required by the U.S. government. Costco fuel meets this top-tier standard, so that just goes to show the value that you are getting.

While Costco’s gas isn’t the same as the other brands, that does not make it a lesser product. After all, if it was the same exact gas, Costco wouldn’t be able to set itself apart. Costco gasoline is practically equal to any other major brand gasoline. You should not notice any difference when filling up your vehicle at Costco as you would with any other brand. The only difference you should notice is a much lighter hit to the wallet.

Get Better Gas Quality and Save Money

If you aren’t sure that Costco gasoline is as good as another major brand’s, try this “gas hack” to save money. In most areas of the country, you can fill up at the Costco gas station, plus add quality fuel injector cleaner. If you add this fuel injector cleaner as recommended, you will still pay less for Costco gas and the fuel injector cleaner, than you would on gas alone at a major brand gas station. This, though, is more of a peace-of-mind improvement. Most mechanics will tell you that fuel injector cleaner really doesn’t do much, so maybe just enjoy the savings that come with your yearly membership.

In the end, there is nothing to suggest that Costco brand fuel is inferior to any other brands of gasoline. Don’t let the price alone dissuade you from filling up there, but we won’t judge if the long lines drive you away.

Do you fill up at Costco gas stations? What do you think about the gas quality?

Read More:

Is the Costco Membership Fee Worth it?

Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth the Price?
Costco Gas Calculator: Will I Save Money Buying a Membership if All I Buy is Fuel?

Costco Return Policy

Costco Holiday Schedule

Costco Tires

 

(Photo courtesy of Adam Keys)

Growing My Income Without Making More Money

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Growing My Income Without Making More Money

This will be my first entry of the diary-style variety, and it is for a good reason. As a 21-year-old with no degree, a full time-job, and all of his very own bills, I think it is important to shine a light on one thing: I’m doing okay! As much as the media wants to tell you that young people are dying without free college or major social safety nets, it just isn’t true. You don’t have to game the system, milk any welfare, or strike it big to live happily in the US as a 20-something. With that said, there are some efforts I am making to ensure that I stay comfortable without finding a whole new job, or adding a side hustle to my already busy schedule. So this is about the two main ways I am growing my income in ways that any of you can replicate today!

I’m Selling My Car

I know, a scary first step. No, I’m not saying you all need to go carless to save money. In fact, that isn’t even what I’m doing. When I was 18, I had focused hard on working instead of going to school, and I had a full-time $13/hr job while still living with my parents. Up to this point, my family could never afford to get me a car– I didn’t even have my license. So once I could do it myself I got a used BMW 3 series for $10k that stuck me with a $190 car payment. This isn’t too bad a payment, but the insurance for someone my age makes my current car expenses ring in at around $380. So, to increase my usable income, I’m selling the car and buying a $2000 1990 Lincoln Town Car. No payment, and $70 liability insurance gives me around $310 more to play with each month.

Better Grocery Shopping

Today I had a little bit of time at the end of my work day, and I used it to check out my bank account. Specifically, I was looking at every time I bought food outside of my grocery shopping. Between a night out with my friend, a date with my girlfriend, the vending machine at work, and some “forgot my lunch at home” days at fast food spots, I managed to rack up about $300 in extra food expense. Noticing that the most common and preventable scenario was forgetting my lunch, my next grocery trip will be focused on good sandwich makings, meat, rice, and other packables that I can bring to work without much extra effort. Date night is important, and so is blowing off some steam with friends, but there is room to cut down. My goal for next month is to cut it down to $150, giving me the same amount in extra income to save or invest.

I hope you enjoyed this inside look into how I am bettering my situation. To all the young folks out there like me: You don’t need to have a degree or a high paying job to make it. I live in southern California, splitting rent with my girlfriend in a beautiful beach city I grew up in. No degree, no six-figure income (not even close), and no crazy internet fame. Just a reliable job and some good habits! As long as you stay smart, you can improve your situation and grow your income today!

The 4-Figure Car Purchase: Why You Shouldn’t Spend $10k+

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The 4-Figure Car Purchase Why You Shouldn't Spend $10k+

Car buying is a deeply emotional process. While most people think of it as a logical financial decision, feelings play a larger role than anything else. Constant thought of what others will think, how the car will look on Instagram– how “nice” it is; all of this can cloud your judgement. The fact is, while the “student debt crisis” takes over headline after headline, there is more outstanding car debt than student debt in the US. To the tune of $1.2 trillion, bad car buying decisions plague this country in a massive way. This needs to end, and so I am writing this so you have something to link your friends when they give your used wheels the side-eye. Without further adieu, here are the reasons the 4-figure car purchase is the way to go.

The “New Car Tax”

Everybody knows this one, and yet, we fall into the same old trap. The moment a new car is driven off of the lot, the value plummets. Is this due to mileage? No. New cars on dealer lots can rack up hundreds of miles due to test drives, and the value doesn’t change. Simply, the idea of a “new car” has value in our society. So you are, quite literally, paying for nothing. This causes people to buy from unreliable brands like Nissan and Kia in order to get a “new car” for a low price. I don’t have to tell you not to do this, because you probably can’t for less than $10k anyway!

Affordable Luxury

Just because a car is older and cheaper, doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty. $9999 is an amazing car budget. For example, the main picture on this article is a 1990’s Lincoln Town Car, which goes for $1000-3000 on the used market with decent mileage. Only a couple thousand for an amazing suspension, beautiful classic looks, and astoundingly comfy seats. On the higher end, E90 BMW 3 series are available easily for less than $10000. A wonderful combination of sport, luxury, and sex appeal. If you think cheap has to mean low-quality, you haven’t been looking.

Cost of Repair

This one’s easy. Older cars tend to have cheaper parts and better aftermarkets. This means whether you do the work yourself, or let the dealer take care of it, your repair bills are going down. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but it remains a general rule nonetheless.

Reliability

They just don’t make ’em like they used to. An early 2000’s Lexus LS400 was a luxury showstopper that could run forever. Costing about $2000-3000 for a decent example now, these absolute zombies could run for 300-400 thousand miles. No new car is expected to reach numbers like this, even from the same historic Toyota brand. Older cars were, in general, made to last much longer than the newer ones. Not only that, but there is better information out to inform your purchasing decisions. Odds are if you are buying a car for under $10k, your local mechanic has had enough time to get to know the reputation of most options pretty well. You’ll be paying much less to get much more out of your purchase.