Mobile Oil Change Business: Stocking Inventory
Starting your own mobile oil change business can be a very profitable experience. However, getting started in the onsite oil change industry often involves lots of wasted time and money during the trial and error process of determining how much inventory to keep in stock. Knowing how many oil filters to keep in stock and knowing which brands are reliable and most requested are crucial in making your mobile oil change business successful. The following instructions for how to stock your inventory and recommended brands are recommended by Timesaver Oil and Lube, a manufacturer of mobile oil change systems.
Here is a typical stocking procedure for an onsite oil change company.
Pennzoil Oil Filter Recommended Stocking Procedure
Pennzoil Filter Type
| Quantity on Truck
| Quantity in Warehouse
|
|---|---|---|
PZ 1
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 5
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 7
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 9A
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 10
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 19
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 21
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 27
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 29
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 30
| 4
| 7
|
PZ 33
| 5
| 7
|
PZ 34
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 39
| 4
| 7
|
PZ 42
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 45
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 47
| 4
| 8
|
PZ 49
| 9
| 8
|
You will also need to keep these items on hand:
Drum of 10W 30
Drum of 15W 40
Case Dextron III
6 Gallons of Anti-Freeze
Case Brake Fluid
6 Gallons of Washer Concentrate
1 Bag of Shop Towels
10 Grease Cartridges
Here are the recommended supply brands based on customer requests and reliability.
Transmission Fluid
· Citgo
· Mobil
· Valvoline
· Castrol
· Warco
Anti-Freeze
· Prestone
· Zerex
· Peak
· Dow Chemical
Brake Fluid
Any manufacturer is acceptable provided “DOT 3” type is used.
Grease
Any manufacturer is acceptable provided “White Lithium” or “Moly” type is used.
Windshield Washer Concentrate
Any manufacturer is acceptable
Oil
· Pennzoil Motor Oil
· Castrol Motor Oil
· Valvoline Motor Oil
· Quaker State
Oil Filters
· Pennzoil
· Purolator
· Wix
· Valvoline
· Champ
· Fram
Air Filters
· Pennzoil
· Purolator
· Wix
· Valvoline
· Champ
· Fram
Wiper Blades
· Roberk
· Pylon
· Trico
· Anco
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Tools and Accessories
Any replacement tools and/or miscellaneous tools should be purchased at stores that offer a lifetime warranty.
Replacement pumps, tanks, reels, and air compressors can usually be purchased from the manufacturer of your mobile oil change unit.
Van
It is recommended to replace the van every five years to ensure a professional appearance of the business. Ford and Dodge sell the most suitable vans for the business needs.
Regular maintenance is recommended to extend the life of your van and equipment. Maintenance should be done as follows:
The Van: oil, lube, and filter- upon delivery, first 500 miles, and every 3,000 miles afterwards.
Air Compressor: oil change every 50 hours or bi-monthly.
Aluminum tanks can be polished periodically with aluminum polish and cleaner.
Following these guidelines will get you well on your way to making money in the mobile oil change business. Some people spend months or years trying to figure out how much inventory to order and what brands are requested and needed most. Following this guide will eliminate much of the trial and error process for you.
