Just logged my 500th oil change on the shop computer

I was closing out a ticket for a regular's Honda Civic and the system showed 500 total oil changes under my login. That number hit me because it means I've probably serviced over 125,000 miles worth of engines just on that basic job. It made me think about how many small leaks or worn belts I've caught just by being the one under the car. Has anyone else had a simple task number surprise them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

maryh962mo ago

Hit 300 fence posts installed last season and had the same thought. That's a lot of rotted wood and loose concrete I spotted before it became a real problem. The repetition makes you notice patterns regular people miss. Keep a small notepad in your toolbox for those little things you see, makes it easier to warn customers before their small issue turns expensive.

nelson.cameron2mo ago

My buddy's deck collapsed last spring because the posts were totally gone. He never noticed the soft spots near the ground. Honestly, that notepad idea is solid. I've seen so many small cracks in brickwork or a single loose shingle that people walk right past. Catching it early saves a ton of money and hassle later.

noahlane2mo ago

I've seen that notepad advice from @maryh96 before, but honestly it can make small problems seem bigger than they are. A tiny crack in brickwork is often just surface level and doesn't mean the whole wall is failing. Telling a homeowner about every single thing you see can just cause them stress over nothing. Sometimes you're better off just fixing the main job and not pointing out minor stuff.