How much should an oil change cost for a 98 QX4? Tune up?

[Freeze Time]

Money is tight right now so I am trying to barter some electronics I have. I found some certified mechanics on Craigslist that will trade. I need an oil change and was thinking about a tune up. My check engine light is on but I am 99.9% sure that it's because I didn't screw on the gas cap tight enough. It happened 2 times before and both times, Pep Boys turned off the light but they said they got in trouble and can't do that anymore. The guy told me I could buy something that will reset the code. I might have to get a smog check so I will have to look into that soon. Anyway, what should I expect to pay for an oil chance and tune up? I am also thinking about taking care of the death sway if the guy even does that's not my main concern right now. I have seen oil changes anywhere from $20 plus tax to $55. Not sure how much a tune up would cost. Can anyone here ballpark an estimate? Thanks in advance. I have driven the car for a little over 4,000 miles since I bought it and I am not sure when the last owner had the oil change so I figure it's best just to get one just in case. Not sure when a tune up happened either.

[eduJ]

If money is tight, you may consider doing an oil change yourself. It is really easy to do, and you should be able to save some money. If you just buy conventional oil plus an oil filter, it should run you less than or about $20 depending on what oil you get. I would hold off on the "tune up". Our cars don't really need to be tuned up, but have different service requirements depending on your mileage. What is your mileage at right now?

As for the check engine light, did pep boys tell you what the code is? It's best to figure out why the code is coming on rather than just simply turning it off since the light will likely return.

Definitely get the oil change soon though.

[NismoPick]

All the local JiffyLubes / Walmarts / local grease monkey shops around here charge ~$25 for a 4qt + filter oil change. And most mail out $5-$10 off coupons all the time. I do my own oil changes, but I'd go to Walmart before JiffyLube (last resort). If you do the change yourself, the only "hard" part is the oil filter. Get an oil filter strap wrench or oil filter cap wrench set from Harbor Freight (~$5) which makes removal easy. Because of the filter location, it gets messy, so use a garbage bag directly underneath the filter to catch all the splatter.

One of the nice things about doing your own oil changes is you can let it drain as long as you want. I usually let it drain for an hour, dump in half a quart to flush out more dirty oil, let it drain for another hour or until it stops dripping, and load it up. Then take the used oil to your local parts store (free recycling).

As for the CEL, like eduJ said, all the parts stores have OBD-II scanners and can tell you the codes for free. Most won't clear them though due to liability issues. If you have an Android smart phone, check out the TORQUE app and bluetooth OBD-II adapter. For $30 you can do much more than the $300 mechanic diagnostic scanners.

[Freeze Time]

Thanks guys. I am not savvy enough to do the oil change myself and don't want to get all dirty anyway even if it is easy. I have 131,000 something miles. The code said to see dealer. There was some other writing but I forget.

[Buzzman]

I have driven the car for a little over 4,000 miles since I bought it and I am not sure when the last owner had the oil change so I figure it's best just to get one just in case. Not sure when a tune up happened either.

One thing no-one has mentioned yet: Do you know if the previous owner ever replaced the timing belt?
This needs to be done at around 100,000 miles.
If it has not been done, then you are driving on borrowed time.
This is an interference engine, which means if the timing belt breaks, you're screwed.

[Freeze Time]

Yes, the timing belt was changed prior to purchase.

Well, the mechanic got back to me and says the oil change will be $50-$60 and wants a 10 inch Android Tablet from me for it. I said I am not trading a $90 tablet for a simple oil change and hung up on him. So much for his ad saying he will give his neighbors a good price and that we all need to help each other out. I called Valvoline Instant Oil Change and after a $15 online coupon, it's only $25 plus tax. Oh well. I will search for other mechanics.

[Buzzman]

Good news about the timing belt.
As for oil changes, I go to quick lube places. It's cheap, and I can watch and monitor what the guys are doing.
I have no problem speaking up if I see them doing something I don't like.
Changing your own oil in the driveway is a pain, as well as getting rid of the old oil, etc.
It's not worth the $30 you'll pay for someone else to do it.

[Freeze Time]

I talked with another mechanic and he told me that the oil change places get their parts for cheaper so they can charge less. He said if he buys the oil and oil filter and changes my oil, he is gonna want like $40 worth of stuff. Is that reasonable?

[Buzzman]

When I go for my oil change, they give me a choice between a factory filter, or just a cheaper no name generic filter.
I go with a factory filter.
It's a few bucks more, but that's what I ask for.
I also use Mobil1 synthetic, and ask for that specifically.
I don't like using that bulk oil that comes out of a barrel and is put in with one of those long hoses that looks like a gas pump hose.
I don't know what make or quality of oil is in those barrels, so I always have them use a brand name oil out of a bottle/can container.
That way I know exactly what I'm getting.
In your case, I don't know really know why you're quibbling over a $35 oil change vs a $40 oil change.
Go where you feel comfortable, and somewhere where you know what you're getting.
Paying a few extra bucks for peace of mind is worth it.

[Freeze Time]

I guess you missed the part about me TRADING items for the oil change. I am not going to spend any money.

[Buzzman]

I guess you missed the part about me TRADING items for the oil change. I am not going to spend any money.

Seriously?
You want to trade stuff for a free oil change?
That's a first for me, and I've been around a while.
Good luck with that.

[Freeze Time]

There are mechanics on Craigslist that will trade. Did you not read all of my posts? I have stated multiple times that I am trading for an oil change and possible other work. I made a whole post on how one mechanic tried to rip me off. Not sure how you missed everything I typed. The first sentence in my OP is about me bartering. Anyway, people are willing to trade because they know money is tight and this way, they still get business and are compensated for it.

[NismoPick]

This thread is giving me a headache... let's recap:

what should I expect to pay for an oil chance and tune up? ... I have seen oil changes anywhere from $20 plus tax to $55. Not sure how much a tune up would cost. Can anyone here ballpark an estimate?

First post, asking how much an oil change "costs".

All the local JiffyLubes / Walmarts / local grease monkey shops around here charge ~$25 for a 4qt + filter oil change. And most mail out $5-$10 off coupons all the time.

As for oil changes, I go to quick lube places. It's cheap, and I can watch and monitor what the guys are doing.

Several responses that it's easiest and cheapest to just go to a lube shop.

I guess you missed the part about me TRADING items for the oil change. I am not going to spend any money.

You didn't say you are only willing to barter.

Well, the mechanic got back to me and says the oil change will be $50-$60 and wants a 10 inch Android Tablet from me for it. I said I am not trading a $90 tablet for a simple oil change and hung up on him. So much for his ad saying he will give his neighbors a good price and that we all need to help each other out. I called Valvoline Instant Oil Change and after a $15 online coupon, it's only $25 plus tax. Oh well. I will search for other mechanics.

Going well so far...
So instead of paying $20 cash and an hour of your time, you are just going to pester mechanics with low barter bids? Remember the saying "You get what you pay for"? I'd never trust a backyard mechanic's barter work... but hey, it's not my car's funeral.

I'm not sure why this thread should even continue... you've made up your mind to barter an oil change. So go do it...

[Freeze Time]

Actually, this is the first thing I typed: Money is tight right now so I am trying to barter some electronics I have. This obviously means I am not wanting to pay with cash.

[NismoPick]

trying

^^^ See that word??? "Trying" isn't an absolute... Don't get all pissed that we're not "listening" to you when you DID NOT clearly state that bartering is your only option. Aye Carumba...

Furthermore, it seems VERY out of touch with reality to make such a big deal over a $20 oil change. SELL YOUR TABLET ON YOUR LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS FOR $90, THEN GO GET A $20 OIL CHANGE.

[Freeze Time]

So much has been lost in this thread. I would like to sell it sure but I live in Orange County, California and trading is big. Not many people have $90 to spend on a tablet but they have items they will trade for it.

[Freeze Time]

So I was able to sell some things and took it to Sears they changed my oil for only $18.76.

[$$$]

No offense but how do u even own a car?...ive never heard of anyone bartering for jus an oil change... 18.76 must been non synthetic

[Freeze Time]

Excuse me Mr. Money bags. If I can trade for a service, I would much rather do that than pay money. Yes, it was conventional oil. Nothing wrong with that.