What do we want to do when a customer comes in? Get the car out quickly and get it all done correctly. So, how can we do this effectively? Well, to start with, having the right set of tools in the toolbox (see what I did there?) goes a long way to making it happen. Polling a number of technicians, I have put together a list of key tools that you can look into getting for lower bay and upper bay operations.
In lower bay, the major complaint that came out was the time that it takes to bring down and put back up the skid plates under vehicles. This makes absolute sense when you think about it. You are usually under a time target to get cars in and out. Taking three to four minutes just to take the screws out of a skid plate to start the oil change service can put you in a bind. So, what can we do?
Two formidable tools to have to combat this issue are a speed handle (speeder wrench) or a small handheld drill with adapters. Both tools decrease the time to take out these bolts and put them back in. The speed handle usually comes in three versions. There is a black one that has an 8mm and 10mm socket welded on the end, an orange one that is good for GM vehicles with a Phillips head and a torque bit welded on and then a basic 3/8-inch handle that can take any socket on its end. They are bent in a way that you can quickly spin the bolts out and get started. The more obvious tool is the drill. Find your adapter, click the button, and unscrew it out.
For upper bay technicians, the major issue that they fight is the oil filter canister caps. It’s time consuming to find the right socket, not to mention the worry of overtightening these setups, causing a warranty issue. It’s a sound investment to grab a torque-limiting 3/8-inch ratchet and a set of oil filter sockets. I know that some of you just grab a socket that fits, usually one that is also for tire rotations, but using the specialized sockets is better. The sockets are smaller, so they fit snug to the cap and take away that issue of the taller socket angling on the cap and cracking it. When you are done with the job, use the torque ratchet to tighten it down to the correct specification.
These are simple tools that we can use in the shops to keep our times down and customer service scores up. So, if you do not have these tools in your shop yet, go check out the local hardware store and look into them. Saving two minutes on every car that has a skid plate might just well lead to an extra car every day.
About the Author
Adam Tatum
Adam Tatum is the Director of Operations for Virginia Lubes, a Jiffy Lube franchisee with 11 locations. He has over a decade of experience in the industry with a proven track record of building customer counts and sales, as well as using innovative ways to bring a new look to the automotive field for both the customer and the employee. Performance comes from growing your business through people.