Brianp

Do nitrogen-filled tires maintain proper pressure longer? The premise for this claim is that nitrogen is a larger molecule than oxygen. It is. Only slightly. But let’s not omit the fact that we’re talking about molecules here and not just the element. Oxygen and nitrogen are both diatomic molecules. Nitrogen actually has less mass than oxygen, so Graham’s Law dictates that it diffuses a bit faster than oxygen. However, since the actual size of the oxygen molecule (O2) is a bit larger than that of a nitrogen molecule (N2), this only applies if the opening from which the molecules are effusing from is large enough to permit the largest of the two. In such cases, N2 will diffuse faster. The question, then, becomes, are the pores in rubber (assuming there are such pores) smaller than the N2 molecule but larger than the O2 molecule? I don’t know the answer to this. Nor could I find any literature in the few minutes I searched, but if anyone has a citation to an independent (i.e. non Nitrogen Tire industry) study or bit of research, I’m interested. Without digging out my old chemistry textbook, I’m willing to tentatively accept Wiki Answers on the sizes of N2 and O2 molecules: N2 is roughly 300 picometers while O2 is slightly smaller at 292 picometers. I’m open to revising these figures if someone cites a more reliable source, but I can’t imagine that there’d be any reason for the link to be more than slightly wrong. Does rubber oxidize faster when exposed to oxygen rather than pure nitrogen? I’d expect so. The real questions are: a) how to you keep oxygen on the outside of your tires from causing oxidation?, and does it really matter to me since every single tire I’ve ever replaced was because of worn tread and not oxidation I see the moisture issue if you have a problem with wheels rusting out. I have never seen this happen. Ever. I have no proof that nitgrogen tires hold air better in fact you can scew numbers to point either way. It is a scam in my opinion and I wont sell it. Am I losing money maybe but I wont sell something I dont believe in.

I have used identifix for a few years now. great product. Some shop programs like napa auto care or oreileys include it in there programs

I add nitrogen if it has the green caps. I use my evap leak tester to do it. But I would never sell the service sinceI am firmly aagainst its false advertisment and lack of REAL world benifits.

Just food for thought:

 

According to repairpal.com Check engine light diagnosis for zip code 92109 is $90.00 - $115.00. (This should be the average charge in this area)

 

I do not support repairpal but it can be used for price shopping.

 

There is nothing wrong with using any service as a loss leader (properly done this can be effective) and I agree that diagnostic testing has become what I call menu priced.

 

We have to be competative on common service items such as LOF, alignment, brakes, fluid flushes, tire rotation, tire balance and now our initial diagnostic testing. We don't have to be the cheapest but we must be in the ballpark of most others offering these services or we may be precieved as too high. If we are too high on these menu items we may never get the chance to turn some people into customers. The thing to remember is we need to make a reasonable profit so we may have to adjust rates accordingly on other items to ofset our menu prices.

 

Pricing is an important part of business and most auto repair shops don't spend enough time planning thier pricing strategy.

I dont feel you should compromise the cost to complete a job just to be within the area of others. What if your overhead was way less would you be ripping ppl off? Not at all I feel prices shoud me figured due to amount you need to make a comfortable profit. I will not change my pricing on any work just to be competetive with another shop. DO they do the job exaclty the same way? Do they have insurace. Do they offer the same waranty. Will they be there if there is a need for the warranty. Is the warranty nationwide. Do they provide the same quality repair? the list goes on and on. I do not knwo what others charge and actually do not need to.

Exactly... Why is it that you have to purchase a membership to the BBB but you don't need a dime to call in with a complaint. I would have the highest respect for them and places like it if they would go out into the real world, work on finding the good shops and recruit them. And, collect responces from satisfied customers instead of the complainers.

 

When is the last time you heard someone call "Ask Patty" or the BBB and said, "This shop is the greatest, why I would recommend them."

 

That's my beef ...

Thats why I am a member of neither. Anyone willing to pay is allowed. Not what I consider great ways to find a shop.

Please answer this question...

 

"If only I had ______________________________ , my business would be so much better."

 

(I realize you may have more than one answer, but only list the top one or two 'wishes' that immediately pop into your head.)

A clone.

Ask patty is the biggest joke ive ever seen. Anyone who pays for it can be a member? The worst shop in my town is an ask patty shop. ;-)

My first post.................... . In response to desperation marketing, I've been in a shop where this has happened. Empty bays, techs sleeping on their work benches.......Here comes the manager with a "new idea". " Let's start selling any and every possible Flush available." This didn't work at all, especially because most cars coming in were still under warranty and had never heard of these flushes when they brought their last 5 cars in. This kind of marketing leads to unhappy customers and unhappy techs.

First I would never "sell" any unneeded service. If its a preventative fluid replacement it better need it. Like 30K transflush or ph of coolant is low. etc. The fasted way to put you out of buisness is a bad reputation. If a vehicle is in your shop on a regular basis for the maintenance then you should rarely find anything that is needed unexpectidly. Like flushes, belts etc. Those items can be predicted at an previous stage and then even posibly split up so that the customer can do them in intervals that cost less each time but are still doen in a timely fashion. Like telling them they need a transmission flush at the next oil change. or tune up at 60k. etc. This keeps the workflow nice and easily scheduled. While keeping a customer loyal and satisfied.

Exactly you need to know what your operating costs are and figure that into a monthly, weekly or daily figure. Once you do that then you can figure what you need to charge. So your charges may change accordingly. If you need 2k to break even then you figure off that what to charge to make a fair profit. You may account new tool purchases. profit draws etc in deciding what you need to charge.

I do a bonus check to all the guys. It varies from year to year I provide it at the xmas party.

I agree oem is the way to go but tech 2, drb and ids are not current any longer. They are all switching to vci format (laptop based). I like the idea one laptop and many vci modules. To bad bosch cant make there vci work. Im in a wait mode right now as to which one to get next.

I find it easier to keep a customer then replace one. I do almost no advertisment. I send reminders to my exixting customers and just use word of mouth. I am off the beaten path so no drive by traffic. Your best advertisment is great quality and service. Who wants an ad placed with everyother shop in town? If someone moves into town is that were they find there shop? If there car needs a lof do they lok in the phone book or paper? just my .02

I use 6 months and 3 or 5k as the intervals. I highly recomend to the customer to follow these guidelines and have a few who use the light or gauge. they are the ones that have to live with the damage done. It wont happen under the warranty it will once it is gone. I almost guarentee a vehicle would make it 36,000 miles on one or 2 oil changes and nothing else. Will it be useless afterwards? Practically but it willbe out of warranty. Its all about educating the customer.

Dont do it. j/k expect alot of hours and hard work. Im not even sure where to begin to help you.

We were almost dollar for dollar with 2009. 2008 was a little higher. 2006 and 2007 were quite a bit higher. No peaks and valleys just steady buisness.

I have a mastertech,vci and a modis. The modis is the best universal we have. I would like oe but they are changing so much recently I cant bite that bullet until they all settle on one for a bit.