Business: Grease Monkey and Steve’s Car Wash
Address: 5008 Ace Lane, Naperville
Phone/website: 630-904-0033; www.greasemonkeyauto.com/locations/us/il/naperville/5008-ace-ln and www.stevescarwashdetail.com.
General manager: Gus Johnson, 43, of Sandwich
Years in business: 17 for Steve’s, 3 for Grease Monkey
What does your business do? “Basically, we’re a full-service oil change shop,” Johnson said. “We do oil changes, change transmission fluid. Basically, all your fluids, your filters. We can do brakes on most vehicles. We’re just high-quality service. Try to take care of our customers’ vehicles. … Get them back on the road. Leave them fresh and happy.”
How about the car wash? “We offer full detailing. Polishing. Waxing. Interior cleaning. Deep clean. Shampoo carpet, seats. Clean vinyl, plastic.”
It’s like a new car after? “Pretty much.”
Why does a car seem to run better after an oil change? “The cleaner the fluid, the better it is. It cleans, protects, keeps the vehicle going a lot longer.”
Is it still 3,000 miles between oil changes? “Now, some can go 8,000 miles between oil changes. The full synthetics, your basic range is 5,000 to 7,500 miles. On your newer vehicles, a lot can go up to 7,500 instead of back in the day when you had to change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles. … Unless you’re a daily driver, constantly driving, you can go up to 7,500 miles with some models.
“Fleet vehicles are top ones for us. Having the fleet customers because those are the ones constantly in here every two or three months because they’re driving all around the place.”
What’s the difference between synthetic and regular oil? “It’s the additives in the oil. They are added to the oil. Keeps it clean, cool, protects. Makes it last longer, stuff like that.”
How many people work here? “I just hired two more guys so I have a couple trainees in there. Usually, we run with four guys a day. It depends on business. Get more business, more people.”
How does training work? “Each vehicle is different. Oil filters. Air filters. Cabin filters. Each one is different. For training we have Full Speed University, which is online. If you’re hands-on, you can pick this up with no problem.”
What do you like about your job? “Running the business. Making sure customers are satisfied and happy.”
Any dislikes? “When employees don’t show up.”
When are you open? “Seven days a week. 8 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 8 to 5 on Sunday. Some holidays we are open, some we are closed. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day we do a half day. That way, everyone can go hang out with their families.”
Same hours for the car wash? “Yes.”
What’s bigger? “Car wash is more, but they’re both pretty big markets.”
Some get an oil change and a car wash? “Yes, and we offer detailing too. We do full-service all the way around. Don’t need appointments for an oil change. Some other services you want to make an appointment. That way we can make sure we have the right parts, right guys for the job, stuff like that.”
Is it a hand wash? “Friction. Nonfriction is a touchless wash. Friction has the spinners. We do hand washes too.”
How long have you worked here? “I’ve been here since 2003. It was originally Jiffy Lube with Super Bright Car Wash. My owner now bought the building, took over the car wash in 2008, but Jiffy Lube stayed. He finally took over the oil change side three years ago. … I’ve been here too long to count.”
Who’s the owner? “Scott Bradshaw. … There are a lot of Grease Monkeys (343 nationwide according to the web site) but each one has a different owner. There are franchises and there are corporate.”
Who’s Steve? “Steve is the owner’s son.”
Are the weekends packed? “They can be sometimes. It depends on when people come in. … On the car wash side, if it’s raining you know you’re not going to be busy.”
What about competition? “You’ve got your full mechanics, like your Midas, Merlin’s, Firestone. You have to make appointments to get your oil changed. It can be a week or two out. … Here, you don’t need an appointment. Our prices may be slightly higher, but you’re paying for the convenience of getting in and out faster to get back on the road.”
Any perks? “One we have is you get a discount on your car wash if you get your oil changed.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Good luck. … Try to find the right help. Put the right people in the right places, your business will succeed.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
