How Dad would explain it
An oil change should be boring. Old oil out, new oil in, fresh filter, done.
The reason it stopped feeling boring is that a lot of places turned it into a sales appointment. You come in for an oil change and leave having said no to six things, or yes to two you did not understand.
So here is the whole list of what happens to your car when you get an oil change with us. Nothing hidden behind it.
A full synthetic oil change at Dad’s Auto Repair Shop is $88 out the door. Tax and shop fees are already in that number.
Here is exactly what you get for it, and just as importantly, what you do not.
Ready now? Set up your visit today.
What Is Included in the Price
Every oil change here includes all of this:
- Draining the old oil and replacing it with the grade your manufacturer specs, up to 5 quarts
- A new oil filter. Not an upsell, not optional, not extra. Every time.
- A tire pressure check on all four, adjusted to spec
- A windshield washer fluid top-off
- A look underneath for leaks or seepage while the car is already up on the lift
That is the package. There is no version of this where the filter costs extra or the price changes when you get to the counter.
What It Costs by Oil Type
| Oil type | Price (up to 5 quarts) | Each extra quart |
|---|---|---|
| Full synthetic (0W-20, 5W-30) | $88 | +$10 |
| Multi-grade synthetic (0W-8, 0W-16, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40) | $98 | +$10 |
| Synthetic blend (5W-20, 5W-30) | $56 | +$6 |
The extra-quart charge is the one thing that can move your total, and it is not a surprise fee. Larger engines simply hold more oil. A truck that takes 7 quarts of full synthetic is $88 plus two extra quarts. We will tell you that before we start, not after.
Not sure which grade your car takes? We wrote about 0W-20 versus 5W-30 and about synthetic blend versus full synthetic, or we will just read the cap for you.
What Is Not Included
This is the part most shops leave off their page, so here it is plainly.
It is not a full inspection. We are not going to pretend an oil change is a bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspection. We have the car up on a lift, so we look for the obvious: leaks, a dripping seal, brake pads that are visibly low, a tire wearing unevenly. If we see something, we will mention it.
But we are not pulling wheels, running diagnostics, or checking every system. If you want something specific looked at, tell us when you drop it off and we will actually look at it.
It does not include other fluids. Coolant and other top-offs are $10, and we will ask you before adding anything. Washer fluid is the one that is free with every oil change.
It does not include work we do not do. We are a preventative maintenance shop: oil, brakes, tune-ups, and emissions testing. We do not do engine or transmission repair. If your car needs one of those, we will tell you and point you toward someone who does that work, rather than taking a swing at it.
Will You Try to Sell Me Things?
No, and we would rather over-explain that than have you brace for it.
If your brake pads are low, we will tell you, because you should know. If your air filter looks bad, we will mention it. Then you decide. We are not working from a script or a quota, and “it can wait” is an answer we give often.
The reason is simple. Most of our customers come from a few miles away, around Cascade Road, West End, Adair Park, Summerhill, and Greenbriar. Nobody in a neighborhood like that stays in business by selling people things they did not need. We would rather have you come back for ten years than make an extra forty dollars today.
How Long Does It Take?
Usually well under an hour if we are not backed up.
Oil changes are one of the things we take as a walk-in. Brakes and tune-ups we would rather schedule, because those need a bay for longer. If you want to be sure about timing, call ahead at (404) 758-4672.
Our hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM with the last appointment at 5:30, and Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM. We are closed Sunday.
How Often Should You Actually Come In?
Go by your manual and your driving, not by a windshield sticker somebody guessed at.
The thing that matters most around here is that Atlanta driving is on the hard end of the range. Short trips, heavy traffic, long idles, and real summer heat all work oil harder than steady highway miles do. If your commute is Cascade Road at rush hour rather than open interstate, treat the shorter interval as the honest one.
We went deeper on this in how often to change synthetic oil if you do not drive much and signs your car needs an oil change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an oil change include a new filter?
Yes. Every oil change at Dad's includes a new oil filter inside the listed price. It is never billed separately.
How much is a full synthetic oil change?
$88 out the door for up to 5 quarts, with tax and shop fees included. Each extra quart is $10.
Do you check anything else while the car is up?
We check tire pressure, top off washer fluid, and look for leaks or anything obviously worn. It is not a full inspection, and we will not describe it as one.
Do I need an appointment for an oil change?
No, oil changes are welcome as walk-ins. Brakes and tune-ups we prefer to schedule. Calling ahead is never a bad idea if your time is tight.
Will you top off my other fluids?
Washer fluid is included free. Other fluids like coolant are $10, and we will always ask you before adding anything.
How long does an oil change take?
Usually under an hour when we are not backed up. Call ahead at (404) 758-4672 if you need to plan around it.
Come See Us
If you are due, come by 2270 Cascade Road and we will get you in and out. One price, filter included, no speech at the counter. Book an appointment or reach out with a question anytime.