The oil change game. You may know that the most common service in the automotive service retail business is the simple oil change. I want you to learn how the repair facility views this common service so you can protect yourself.
There are many kinds of shops that perform this service. Dealerships, chain stores, quick lube centers, independent shops and mobile auto repair service.
They all view the service as an opportunity to up sell you something else.
The profit margin on an oil change service is very small. The shop considers this an acceptable loss because it provides them an opportunity to look your vehicle over very carefully.
The shop calls this an at bat. And sometimes they strike out but most of the time they hit a homerun.
Being under your vehicle and then in the engine compartment to refill the oil provides them with all the opportunity needed to work up a nice big list.
Even the quick lube centers that do not even have qualified technicians are selling services like coolant flushes transmission fluid changes fuel injection cleaning and more.
It cracked me up when they started selling windshield services where they would apply a rain shedding product and new wiper blades for about $75.00.
When I say that quick lube centers do not employee qualified technicians I am being truthful.
These auto repair service shops pay a very low hourly rate and there fore are unable to find a certified technician to work for $7.00 - $9.00 an hour.
This could spell trouble for some customers. An oil change is a simple operation but if done incorrectly major engine damage can result.
Quick story I had a friend of the family go into a quick lube and they sold her an air filter.
When replacing the air filter the oil changer wiped out the air box and got distracted and left the rag in side and under the air filter.
When he started it up the rag got sucked into the engine and bent an intake valve.
The shop did pay to have the engine fixed but the car never ran the same again. A flat rate mechanic at a dealership repaired the engine cutting corners and the car had multiple problems after the engine service.
Most mechanics are not as good at putting engines together as the factory is. Even if they are not cutting corners. It takes a lot of skill and knowledge to perform engine work properly.
Lets hit a few more common up sells from the oil change service. The repair shops like to sell coolant flushes. This will be coming to an end soon due to the now wide spread use of extended life coolants.
Starting in the late 90’s General motors starting using a new red coolant called dexcool.
The recommended service interval is every 100,000 miles. Now all of the major manufacturers are using some kind of extended life coolant. So check your owner’s manual for service intervals.
If you have a vehicle with the old green coolant (ethylene glycol) it is recommended to change your coolant every 30,000 miles.
So don’t approve the auto repair service until you check your owner’s manual. Remember the shop recommends it for them not for you.
