the Price of an Oil Change

Oil change - nothing special, just oil (synthetic, but not top-of-the-line), filter, fluid check, check air filter. In short, the usual.

I think I paid too much this time. I went to a new place, and once I was in, I felt obligated to keep on, even though the prices seemed way too high. On the other hand, the facilities were clean, the staff were polite and efficient, and they got the job done quickly, though there was a lot of pressure to upgrade on everything, to take the extra preventative service, and to pay for more expensive oil. I did take the synthetic oil, against my better judgment; in this climate, you really don't need it, and it's a lot more expensive. The attendant had the gall to act like I'd wounded him by not taking the premium oil. At least this place does know how to shut off the unusual change-oil indicator on my car - many others don't.

Don't fall for the upsell; you don't need synthetic oil unless you're in the frozen north. Don't take all the preventative maintenance unless you've checked your car's owner's manual, and are sure you really might need it. If clean, polite, and quick are critical, go to the expensive place, but if you can handle drawling, horse-playing attendants in a filthy shop, you can get just as good an oil change and get it a lot cheaper than this. Don't follow my example here.