NAICS 811191 Quarterly Industry Report
Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 811191Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops (NAICS 811191) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics[9], and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, automotive service analysts, and quick-lube industry investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the automotive oil change and lubrication shops industry.
NAICS Sector
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Industry Definition & Overview
Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops (NAICS 811191) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in changing motor oil and lubricating the chassis of automotive vehicles per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include engine oil and filter changes, chassis lubrication, fluid level checks and top-offs, air filter and cabin filter replacement, and basic preventive maintenance inspections performed in a quick-service format.
Quick-lube operations differentiate through speed, convenience, and no-appointment service models, with most facilities designed for drive-through or pit-style service completing oil changes in 10-20 minutes. Major franchise brands including Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Take 5 Oil Change, and Express Oil Change operate thousands of locations nationwide. The industry has expanded service menus beyond basic oil changes to include transmission fluid exchange, coolant flush, fuel system cleaning, and battery replacement to increase average ticket values. Synthetic and synthetic-blend motor oils now account for the majority of oil change volume as manufacturer-recommended drain intervals have lengthened from 3,000 miles to 5,000-10,000 miles, reducing visit frequency but increasing per-service revenue.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts. EPA[7] used oil management standards under 40 CFR Part 279 regulate the collection, storage, and recycling of waste motor oil. State environmental agencies enforce used oil recycling requirements and prohibit improper disposal of oil filters, antifreeze, and other automotive waste generated at quick-lube facilities.
What's Included in This Industry
- Engine oil and filter change services
- Chassis lubrication and grease service
- Automatic transmission fluid exchange
- Coolant flush and fill services
- Differential and transfer case fluid service
- Air filter and cabin air filter replacement
- Wiper blade inspection and replacement
- Battery testing and replacement
- Fuel system cleaning services
- Tire pressure check and inflation
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Repair and Maintenance | 811 |
| Industry Group | Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 8111 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 81119 |
| National Industry | Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops | 811191 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 811111 | General Automotive Repair | General Automotive Repair shops offer oil changes alongside broader mechanical services, competing with dedicated quick-lube facilities on oil change pricing while capturing additional repair work from customers whose vehicles need mechanical attention beyond basic maintenance |
| 811114 | Specialized Automotive Repair | Specialized Automotive Repair includes service brands like Meineke and Midas that have added oil change services to their specialty repair menus, blurring the boundary between specialized repair and preventive maintenance categories |
| 811198 | All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance | All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance covers miscellaneous vehicle services including car washes and detailing that some quick-lube operations offer as add-on services, with bundled maintenance and appearance packages increasing per-visit customer spending |
| 441110 | New Car Dealers | New Car Dealers compete for oil change customers through dealership service departments offering manufacturer-recommended maintenance packages, with dealership express service lanes adopting the quick-service model to retain customers for routine maintenance between major service visits |
| 424720 | Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals) | Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers distributes motor oil, transmission fluid, and lubricants to quick-lube shops through bulk delivery and packaged goods distribution, with lubricant pricing and brand partnerships affecting shop margins and consumer pricing strategies |
| 324191 | Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing | Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing produces the motor oils, transmission fluids, and chassis greases that oil change shops use, with synthetic oil adoption raising per-service material costs while lengthening recommended drain intervals between customer visits |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 12.7% | 1,105 |
| 2 | California | 9.0% | 781 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.2% | 541 |
| 4 | Michigan | 5.7% | 497 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.1% | 355 |
| 6 | Georgia | 3.8% | 331 |
| 7 | Ohio | 3.3% | 284 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 3.1% | 270 |
| 9 | New York | 2.9% | 249 |
| 10 | Virginia | 2.4% | 208 |
% Of Establishments
0%
13%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
552
Total SBA Loans
$416.6M
Total Loan Volume
$755K
Average Loan Size
14 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.49%
Average Interest Rate
6,648
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops (NAICS 811191) has a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support quick-lube facility construction, bulk oil systems, and working capital for qualifying oil change businesses. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 192 | $246.3M | $1.3M |
| 2 | Milestone Bank | 24 | $29.6M | $1.2M |
| 3 | PlainsCapital Bank | 16 | $24.2M | $1.5M |
| 4 | Merchants Bank of Indiana | 8 | $18.5M | $2.3M |
| 5 | First Bank of the Lake | 8 | $8.0M | $1.0M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for oil change shops?
NAICS 811191 covers automotive oil change and lubrication shops providing quick-service engine oil changes, fluid services, and basic preventive maintenance per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[6], the threshold is $9 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for oil change and lubrication businesses.
What are the largest oil change franchise brands?
Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Take 5 Oil Change, and Express Oil Change rank among the largest quick-lube franchise networks operating thousands of locations across the United States.
How has synthetic oil affected the industry?
Synthetic and synthetic-blend motor oils now account for the majority of oil change volume as manufacturer-recommended drain intervals have lengthened from 3,000 miles to 5,000-10,000 miles, reducing customer visit frequency but increasing per-service revenue from higher-priced synthetic products.
What environmental regulations affect oil change shops?
EPA[7] used oil management standards under 40 CFR Part 279 regulate waste oil collection, storage, and recycling. State agencies enforce used oil recycling requirements and prohibit improper disposal of oil filters, antifreeze, and other automotive waste.
How long does a quick-lube oil change take?
Most quick-lube facilities complete oil changes in 10-20 minutes using drive-through or pit-style service bays designed for rapid workflow. No-appointment service models allow customers to arrive without scheduling, with multi-bay facilities processing vehicles in parallel during peak hours.
What services beyond oil changes do quick-lubes offer?
Quick-lube operations have expanded menus to include transmission fluid exchange, coolant flush, fuel system cleaning, battery replacement, wiper blades, and air filter replacement. These add-on services increase average ticket values from $40-50 for a basic oil change to $100+ per visit.
How do oil change shops handle used oil?
Shops collect used motor oil in dedicated storage tanks for pickup by licensed waste oil haulers who transport it to re-refineries or burn it as industrial fuel per EPA[7] management standards. Most states require shops to accept used oil from do-it-yourself customers at no charge.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]EPA epa.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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