Get Your Oil Cheap

If you change your own oil, you probably do so to save money. Even though changing your own oil can save you money, if you do not buy motor oil in bulk, you are not saving as much as you could be.

Purchasing motor oil is no different than purchasing any other product. Generally, the more you buy at once, the more you save. Many times, you can save up to 25% buying oil by the case, and, if you buy a premium motor oil or synthetic oil via mail order, buying in bulk will save on shipping as well. So, if you have a vehicle that takes four quarts of oil, instead of buying four quarts every time you change your oil, you might consider buying the whole case to save some money.

Another reason to buy oil in bulk is that you always have a quart of it in your car. If you notice that your oil is getting low, it will be much cheaper to use the oil you bought at a discount, than it will be to stop at the gas station and pick a quart. Oil at a gas station or convenience store is going to cost you much more than it would had you bought it in bulk. These places know that the reason you are buying oil there is due to an emergency, and you have little choice but to buy it. In other words, they can charge you whatever they want.

If You Buy Motor Oil in Bulk: A Word of Caution

It is important to note that, if you buy motor oil in bulk, proper storage is a necessity.  You see, even sitting on the shelf, oil can degrade within the bottle.  Without proper storage, I would not recommend storing oil for more than a year or so before placing it into service.

Excessive heat or cold, significant temperature swings, high humidity and direct sunlight can all degrade stored motor oil more quickly, so, if you can find a storage location that minimizes these issues or eliminates them altogether, you'll be able to store your oil for longer before it "goes bad", so to speak.  In other words, your decision regarding how much oil to purchase at a time should be dictated by your decision regarding where it will be stored.

Changing your own oil is a good place to start saving money, and you can maximize your savings if you buy motor oil in bulk. It can save you money when you buy it, and even more should an emergency arise when you are on the road. Just remember not to store the oil for too long, or you will not be getting the performance and protection you expect.
The Motor Oil Guy