Can I Bring My Own Oil To An Oil Change Place?

The quick oil change shop has spoiled all of us.  They offer great service and we may not even have to get out of our vehicles!  Simply awesome. 

These places usually make company-wide deals to use a certain oil company's products.  You may get a choice of conventional, semi-synthetic, or full synthetic oil for your change.  These will usually be choices from the brand they have negotiated deals with for their oil.  The truth is you can not be sure what they are putting in your vehicle because the oil is usually pumped into the vehicle from a large tank.

If you like the convenience of having a shop change your oil but want a certain type of oil used in your vehicle, you may wonder if you can bring your own oil and have them fill your vehicle with your oil.

This is usually not a problem for most oil change shops, private mechanics, or even dealerships.  They will most likely charge you some fee for the labor and to recycle your old oil per state and federal standards.  Also do not be surprised if they give you the oil bottles back for disposal.  Some do this and some do not.

Please note that they will (and should) require the oil to be new, unsealed, and the correct weight and viscosity for the vehicle.  They have computer systems that look up the correct weight, viscosity, and amount of oil for each vehicle.  Do not expect them to put an incorrect oil or amount into your vehicle.

It is a good idea to ask the shop or even check online if they will allow you to bring your own oil.  If for some reason they do not, maybe it is time to find another shop to change your oil.  It is your vehicle and is probably a sizable investment for you so you should be able to run whatever oil you wish.