Let’s say you’re buying a new car and the dealership is offering free oil changes for a year or longer with the purchase of this new car. Are these oil changes really free? Of course not. The cost is added to the price of the new car.

What are you really getting? You will get a free oil change at the minimum oil change interval to keep you warranty if force, usually at 5,000 to 7,500 miles. But wait! If you read the owner’s manual you will see the minimum interval is only for perfect conditions. Turn the page to find the "severe service" section and you will see severe service is the condition in which most drivers operate their cars; short trips to the grocery store or work, idling a long time at the drive-in window at the bank or the fast food restaurant, or dusty conditions (of course it’s dusty out there).

So, in reality, you are getting a free oil change half as often as you need one. In my opinion, the dealership wants you to change your oil less than needed. That way you will be back in 4-5 years to buy another new car.

To maintain your car properly, you will have to pay for the extra oil changes if you want your new car to last a long time. So, why not just get all your oil changes done at your favorite auto service center.

Don’t be swayed to purchase that new car just because the dealership is offering "free" oil changes.