Routine car care is important for keeping your automobile in tip top shape. But when you're getting an oil change every three months or 3000 miles, oil change prices can begin to get expensive. So what are your options for finding a cheap oil change that gives you the most bang for your buck? This article will show you a few money-saving ideas for maintaining the quality of your car without spending a fortune to do it.

Oil changes are an important part of vehicle maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, and to ensure a healthy engine. When you don't change the oil on a regular basis, sludge can develop within the engine which slows it down and leads to other problems within the vehicle. Because most car manufacturers recommend changing your oil every three months or 3000 miles (whichever comes first), it can be a pricey part of your car's overall maintenance. But there are ways to get cheap oil changes that produce the same results for less money than you might expect.

One option to save on oil change prices is to change your own oil. If you're not familiar with the procedure, is recommended to visit a local car care store such as PepBoys or Auto Zone and speak to a representative who can set you up with the recommended tools and items you'll need for a safe quick and easy oil change. Items you'll require include new oil and filter; a ratchet set; an oil pan and oil filter wrench; and items such as paper towels and newspaper to help with cleanup. At home oil change prices should only run you about $20, but a savvy shopper can find cheap oil changes close to that range with these tips:

• Sign up for e-mail mailing lists and newsletters at websites of local oil change providers in your area. Franchises like Jiffy Lube, Econo Lube, and Big O Tires offer affordable oil changes, and will also send oil change coupons and incentives periodically to their e-mail newsletter lists. Likewise, you can get on the traditional mailing lists of these stores and receive oil change coupons by mail.

• Another idea is to always check the ads and coupon mailers that you received my regular mail, as they almost always include coupons for local car care providers. You can sometimes get better deals at car maintenance stores that are not franchises, because they often rely on word-of-mouth and local coupon pack mailers as advertising.

• Before you go for an oil change, it's a good idea to check the integrity and the reviews of car maintenance stores in your area. A great place to do so is at Yelp.com, where you can look up user reviews and ratings that are unbiased and honest, and usually very informative.

• These tips and ideas should help you save on oil change prices, and get both a cheap oil change and quality car care that will help keep your automobile running smoothly and safely for years to come!