oil change intervals

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wraps and clings to the surface. The item is then removed from the water, dried, and then clear coated in urethane. The possibilities are wide ranging, from customers who want their interior trim areas treated, to achieving a new and different look for their wheels, grilles, door mirror housings, etc. Again, you can establish a relationship with a hydro-graphics shop, farm out the customer’s pieces, reinstall them to the customer’s vehicle and make a buck (marking up the graphic job and charging for the R&R of the parts).

For commercial customers who run a f eet of vehicles, it may be desirable for them to “label” various components in order to track service life. In addition to using permanent markers or stick-on labels, certain applications may lend themselves to laser etching or CNC engraving, both of which are permanent marks that will hold up against the test of time and environment. Again, you can connect with a local CNC shop for this out-of-house work, with the customer billing it all through you (middleman markup at its best).

Another potential money-maker and valuable service for your customers are specialty functional coatings. This can apply to both commercial customers and customers who are hobbyists and/or racers. A range of specialty coatings, to name but two, are available that address issues of both heat and frictional wear. Ceramic coatings (thermal barrier coatings) can benef t any engine that features a turbocharger. This coating (applied to turbo housings, turbo feed and exhaust tubing, etc.) reduces underhood heat while increasing eff ciency.

Thermal barrier coatings have many other applications, but I’m citing turbos as but one example. Anti-friction coating (generally moly/graphite or Tef on-based), depending on the application, provides a superior oil f lm retention and can serve as a back-up/fail-safe lubricity coating for momentarily oil-starved engine components, drive-gears, etc. The specialty coating f eld is far-reaching, with a host of various materials and applications. Once again, this is a service that you can easily farm out while the money f ows directly into your register.

The services I’ve mentioned here are merely examples. The point I’m trying to make is that, given the application and/ or customer request, you’re not limited to what’s available only through your current parts suppliers.

I know that it’s a trite and over-used urban-yuppie term, but sometimes “thinking outside the box” can make you stand out in the minds of your customers (and those referrals that result from customer word-of-mouth).

Just a thought. ●

Readers agree with editorial on oil change intervals

Dear Mike:

Concerning your opinions voiced in your editorial in the January/February 2013 issue of Auto Service Professional: You are not alone.

Ten thousand-mile oil change intervals may sound good to marketing people who want you to think new cars will cost almost nothing to maintain, but in the real world things are different. People don’t do things on time. If you tell them 3,000 miles, they will be in at 4,000 miles. Tell them 7,500 miles, and they will go 9,000 or 10,000 miles. Chances are they won’t check the oil level on the dipstick, either.

A car might not use any oil for the f rst 3,000 to 4,000 miles, but as the oil gets older and breaks down, the engine can consume it faster.

We have full-serve gas pumps. Do you know how many cars I put two, three or even four or f ve quarts in? Some people will look at the sticker and say that “since I’m not due for an oil change I don’t need to check the dipstick, either.”

Most of today’s cars have variable valve timing, and these systems are very reliable as long as they have the right amount of clean oil. My 2009 Accord V6 also has variable cylinder management, which is yet another system that needs the right amount of clean oil to function properly. Ethanol contamination also contributes to oil break-down.

One f nal comment: A lot of people lease cars these days and turn them in when the lease is up. Therefore, someone could be buying an off-lease car that’s three or four years old, with 30,000 or 40,000 miles, that’s only had one or two oil changes (buyer beware).

Customers also need to be aware that outlets that offer $14.95 oil changes likely are not using the same high-quality oil and f lters that shops like ours use, so they can’t view price as an apples-to-apples comparison.

We enjoy the magazine, and keep up the good work. Dave Festa, Part Owner/Technician Four Corners Service Station Guilford, Conn.

Dear Mike:

Awesome story, couldn’t agree more! Just like to add one thought.

Most people today drive their cars, only stopping to f ll it up when necessary, never even lifting the hood or checking the air in the tires. Cars need to be looked at regularly with a minimum interval of monthly.

I feel that in today’s fast-paced world cars need professional attention with a minimum of six month — or 4,000-mile — intervals.

Even though cars are much more reliable and have numerous built-in safeguards, they still need to be inspected on a regular basis for potential problems.

I’ve been repairing cars for over 40 years and the one thing that I have learned is that the people who adhere to the routine oil change intervals of 3,000 miles have the least amount of problems, hands down! Tom French, Owner/ASE-Certif ed Master Technician Tom’s Automotive Ormond Beach, Fla.

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