Woman Goes To Take 5. Then She Sees What 'Core' Costs Vs. 'Complete' Vs. 'Ultimate': 'And My Truck Requires 3 Additional...'

A woman says she went to Take 5 Oil Change for a routine service, but left questioning the price after her final bill was much higher than she anticipated.

Reena Woo (@reenaree86) shared her experience after she said a standard oil change quickly became pricey. She recorded the video from inside her car while she was getting her oil changed. Woo panned her camera over to show viewers the shop’s listed prices.

Woo says a mechanic told her that “due to the shortage of oil,” the shop did not have the oil needed for the “core” oil change, which cost $88.49. Instead, she claims she had to get the “ultimate” package, which was listed at $123.49.

“And my truck requires three additional quarts of oil, which is $14 apiece, so you do the math,” Woo says.

By the end of the visit, Woo says she felt like she was being “ripped off.”

In the caption of her clip, she clarified that she ended up paying $180 total for the oil change.

Why Can Oil Changes Get So Expensive?

Oil changes can seem straightforward and should be a regular part of your car’s routine maintenance, but the final price can vary widely depending on what you drive and what your vehicle actually needs.

According to Kelley Blue Book, several factors impact the cost of an oil change, including the type of oil used, the amount required, the vehicle itself, and where you live.

But therein lies the wrinkle: Two drivers can go to the same shop and leave with very different bills.

Synthetic oil, for example, typically costs more than conventional oil. And while it can be more expensive upfront, Consumer Reports notes that many newer vehicles require synthetic oil because of the manufacturer’s specifications.

The amount of oil also matters. Some larger vehicles, including trucks and SUVs, need more quarts than smaller cars. If a shop’s base price only covers a certain amount of oil, those additional quarts can increase the final cost.

In Woo’s case, she says the price climbed after she was told the lower cost option was unavailable and that her truck required three additional quarts of oil.

As for Woo’s claim that she was told the cheaper option was unavailable because of an oil shortage, there is some evidence of broader supply concerns.

CNN reported in May that wholesale motor oil prices were rising quickly, with some industry executives warning of potential shortages tied to factors such as the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The report also noted that 44% of the key Group III base oil used to make motor oil comes from three Persian Gulf producers, making that part of the supply chain especially vulnerable.

The Difference Between Core, Complete, and Ultimate Oil Changes

Take 5 offers three levels of oil changes: core, complete, and ultimate. Core costs the least, $88.49 in Woo's case, and includes conventional motor oil. Complete costs a bit more and uses a synthetic blend. Ultimate, at $123.49 at the shop Woo went to, is the most expensive. This option includes advanced full synthetic oil.

All oil changes at Take 5 include fluid top-offs, tire pressure checks, and a new oil filter.

The company notes that prices vary by location.

Viewers Debate Take 5’s Oil Change Prices

In the comments, many viewers focused on the final cost of Woo’s oil change.

“$14 a qt sheesh,” one person wrote.

Others compared the price to what they say they have paid elsewhere.

“Some people may not like them, but at Walmart, a full synthetic oil change is $64.88 for the first 5 quarts!” one commenter wrote.

“10 quarts oil at Costco costs like 35$ lol,” another added.

Some viewers said they also had issues with Take 5’s pricing.

“So when I went there, I definitely felt ripped off, and I definitely did not go back,” one person wrote.

“You getting ripped at 88 [and] change, too,” another claimed.

Others pushed back, arguing the price was not necessarily unusual depending on Woo’s vehicle and the oil required.

“If you have a new truck, you need full synthetic, you couldn’t get the basic anyways, go to Auto Zone or wherever, and the price of oil there, same as what they put in,” one commenter wrote.

Another viewer said they had heard similar information about oil availability.

“Sounds right. We got a notice at my shop about it,” they wrote. “After our synthetic blend runs out, we only offer full synthetic. There is definitely an oil shortage right now.”

Still, not everyone was convinced that explained the extra charges.

---

---

“[Upcharge] on those 3 quarts, no shortage on oil,” one commenter wrote.

Motor1 reached out to Woo via direct message on TikTok and Take 5 via email. We’ll update this story if we hear back.

 

 

 

 

 

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team