Chris CollinsHelping Struggling Dealerships Build Profitable, High-Performing Service Departments | Automotive Coaching Expert | CEO

The True Cost of a Two-Man Quick Lube Team 💸 (50% Efficiency)

30 Dec 2025 · 1 min

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1:03

Chris Collins explains the hidden labor costs and inefficiencies of two-person quick-lube teams. Using a numeric example, he says the average weighted technician is paid $20/hour but the "actual cost" becomes $40, implying shops run at roughly 50% efficiency; quick-lube setups often operate at about 40% efficiency. Adding a second technician increases unapplied (idle) time without proportionally speeding service — Collins estimates oil changes become only ~20% faster — so the extra labor cost typically outweighs customer benefit.

Questions this video answers

$20 per hour.

$40 (per hour).

50% efficiency.

40% efficiency.

About 20% faster.

Chapters

So let's say that your your average weighted technician is paid $20 an hour, and you figure out that your actual cost is 40. Usually what that means is your shop is running at 50% efficiency. It means you're paying the hourly tax twice as much to do the work as you're collecting. For example, manufacturers on the car side will want the dealerships to have a quick lube, and they will want to have a wet and a dry tech in one stall. So you have a situation already where the quick lube techs are 40% efficient. Now you've added another head to the situation. You just have more unapplied time and not that much of a benefit to the customer. You don't do the the oil changed twice as fast. No, it's like 20% faster. It's not worth the cost.