It's Time to Unite the Lube Industry

by Pat Wirth
NOLN Contributing Writer

Recently, Consumer Reports Car Care Blog ran the following: “Myth: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles.”

The post continued: “Despite what oil companies and quick lube shops claim, it’s usually not necessary. Stick to the service intervals in your car’s owner’s manual. Under normal driving conditions, most vehicles are designed to go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Changing oil more often doesn’t hurt the engine, but it can cost you a lot of extra money. Automakers often recommend 3,000 mile intervals for severe driving conditions, such as constant stop-and-go driving, frequent trailer-towing, mountainous terrain or dusty conditions.”

The blog responses ranged from overwhelming agreement to overwhelming disagreement and an endorsement of synthetics. After reading this, an irritated fellow Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) operator asked the question, “Why do we continue to sit back and take it?”

That’s where joining our industry trade association comes in.

Quick lube operators collectively provide tens of millions of oil changes annually — more preventive maintenance bay-for-bay than any other automotive service provider category. We are in the trenches every day and see the “results” of customers following OEM recommendations and oil monitoring systems — slime, sludge and spent fluids. Human nature entices many to “cheat a little” and extend intervals even further than recommended.

While we all understand the importance of “educating” our customers about “severe service driving conditions,” it’s a lot easier said than done when one recognizes that customers come to us for convenience; they want to get in and out quickly! If we perform thorough service reviews with each customer, it does not allow much time to educate our customers about service intervals.

This is just one issue we face as an industry; a bigger one with far-reaching implications is that we have never completely banned together to combine our talents and resources to work collectively to educate the motoring public and possibly even develop our own service interval guidelines based on scientific research. It may take a village to educate a child, but it will take a united effort among all lube operators and suppliers to educate the public about what we see and know every day. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could launch a “Got Milk?”-type campaign backed by scientific data to educate the public about the truth of extended intervals and severe service driving conditions? That kind of marketing effort is not cheap.

AOCA is the industry’s recognized leader and voice, but our membership represents only a portion of the industry. It doesn’t matter if you are a franchisee, branded or independent, our day-to-day operating problems are the same. Some franchised organizations and branded groups hold annual meetings to discuss proprietary information and participation in those is encouraged, but we need to have a united voice to represent the industry. It’s possible that what might be in the best interest of an independent operator may not be in the best interest of a franchisor or oil company, so while an individual operator may be unable to independently address an issue because of that relationship, the trade association may be able to help.

AOCA has successfully represented the quick lube industry for more than two decades, and it proudly represents operators from all corners of the globe, as well as those flying the “flag” of nearly every “brand” of lube. Did you know that because of AOCA’s efforts on behalf of the industry you don’t have sprinklers in your basement or waste oil is not listed as a hazardous material? Did you know that we are consulted by API on setting guidelines for oil and most recently have been asked to review a proposed certification program for Bulk Engine Oil Installers? With the exception of a small, paid staff, AOCA is overseen by an operator and supplier non-paid board of volunteers just like you.

It takes money to run an association and, like most non-profit associations, our primary source of income is from membership dues and our annual convention/tradeshow. What we can do for the industry is limited by our revenue; but, more importantly, we want to truly be representing the vast majority of businesses in the industry. Membership benefits include unparalleled opportunities to network with your peers online using our bulletin board or in person at our annual convention; education for owners, managers and technicians both through formal certification programs or through seminars conducted at our annual meeting; leadership opportunities through participation on our board or on one of our many committees; professional discounts on a wide variety of services and products including service awareness materials and posters; discounts on insurance and payroll processing; technical hotline; templates for a procedure manual, employee handbook and an SPCC plan; website design; charts for driveline service intervals and drain plug torque specifications; a mystery shopping program; professional job descriptions for your business — the list is endless.

AOCA will be sponsoring a new and improved convention and tradeshow, iFLEX (the International Fast Lube Expo) to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the week of April 18th. Please join us so we can collectively discuss issues that face all of us — dwindling car counts, $19.99 oil changes at muffler shops, ways to increase ticket average, the effect of electric and hybrid cars on our industry, etc. — and look for solutions to overcome these challenges.

Our two-day tradeshow includes all of the necessary products, machines and services one could possibly imagine to successfully run our businesses. There is no exclusivity for vendor participation, so you can compare many different brands to see what’s best for your business. There will be ample opportunities to meet privately with vendors, and no other activities have been scheduled during the tradeshow to give you as much time as necessary to check out all the booths.

We would love to see many operators come together to discuss the challenges we all face as an industry — regardless of the sign that hangs outside your shop. In the future, it would be beneficial to hold one huge, annual quick lube convention that brings us all together under one roof that would allow each branded group the opportunity to sponsor their private, proprietary meetings as necessary, but still allows us to meet as an industry. Think about the possibilities!

Talk about it with your peers, but first please join AOCA, your industry trade association, and start reaping the benefits. We have an affordable, tiered dues structure that will pleasantly surprise you. Help us help you and our industry.

Finally, please join us in Las Vegas to begin our journey together with one strong, united voice.

PAT WIRTH is owner of Potomac Falls Express Lube in Fairfax Station, Virginia.