Everything has gotten faster these days. From fast food to high speed Internet access, faster is the way to go.
Things are no different for fleets and owner/operators. When their trucks need to be serviced, they want them in and out of your shop as quickly as possible. And when it comes to routine maintenance-like oil and filter changes-speed is of the utmost importance.
If you have not already set up a separate quick lube center or designated bays in your shop exclusively to quick lube services you are missing a great opportunity not only to make money but also to take better care of your customers.
At first glance, providing quick lube services may seem simple. However, in reality it is complicated.
Designing and laying out the facility, finding the proper people to staff it and seeing that they are trained properly all while being able to provide high volume, high quality work can be a challenging task.
But if you pay attention to these things your quick lube service can be profitable and can help bring additional work into your service department.
Once you have decided that you want to offer quick lube services, you need to make sure you invest in the proper equipment. Experts recommend that your quick lube bay be equipped with a pit so the technicians can see more of the truck.
Since you are promising quick service-customers using quick lube facilities expect to be in and out within an hour-you need to invest in equipment that will keep things moving.
At the very least you need overhead piping and a gun to dispense bulk oil into the engine and a pump to collect drained oil into a holding tank for later disposal. Some quick lube facilities invest in more modern dispensing equipment which allows the technicians to input the number of quarts or gallons needed to refill the vehicle, and that amount of oil is put into the engine automatically.
Once you have your quick lube bay properly equipped you need to staff it with the right kind of people.
You want to make sure that whoever you hire is conscientious and will pay attention to details especially if you are offering inspection services along with oil changes.
Many dealers mistakenly assume that anyone can staff the quick lube bay. It is important that the quick lube technician be trained properly in the specifics of the job. He needs to know what procedure to follow to ensure that the drain plug gets reinstalled and the oil filter gets changed. If the technician does not properly tighten the oil filter for example, it can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to the vehicle.
Now that you have equipped and staffed your quick lube operation you have to decide what types of services to offer.
In addition to oil and oil filter change, many quick lube operations also offer inspections of key vehicle components. These can range in complexity from 10 items to 35 items or more. The point of these inspections is to discover developing problems before they lead to an on-road breakdown.
Some quick lube operators offer multiple levels of service. The most basic is the oil and filter change, followed by an inspection that includes looking at the fuel and air filters. Another level would include checking the transmission lube and changing it as needed. Then there is a more comprehensive inspection in which the technician checks the belts, hoses, cooling system, lights, brakes, tire pressure, etc.
This comprehensive inspection can generate additional work for the quick lube operation, if the work is basic. And if the work is more complex, the customer can be referred to the service shop to have the repairs completed.
Offering oil analysis is another service you might want to consider providing. This helps you monitor the health of the vehicle and can alert you to potential problems.
One way to help ensure the success of your quick lube operation is to partner with an oil company. The oil company can assist with things like signage, marketing and training. You would have that manufacturer’s oil installed in your bulk tanks and that is the oil you would use for your lowest advertised price specials. You also can offer customers another choice of oil at a premium price because it would have to be hand-poured since it would not be stored in bulk.
If operated correctly a quick lube operation can increase profit and customer satisfaction as well bring additional business to your shop.
