5 Ways to Prep Your Shop for Fall

As temperatures drop and customer demand ramps up, fall can either be your most profitable season or your most frustrating one. How well your shop prepares can be the difference between the two. Equipment that’s overdue for maintenance, underperforming inflators, or disorganized bays can bring even a great team to a grinding halt.  

At Coats, we’ve spent decades supporting high-performing shops through every season. Here’s a simple checklist of five ways to get your equipment, your techs, and your workflow fall-ready, so you can stay focused on keeping work flowing. 

 

1. Inspect Your Lifts Before Cold Weather Hits

Your lifts are at the heart of your shop’s workflow. When they go down, so does your revenue. Cold weather can cause cables to contract and hydraulic fluid to thicken, making any underlying issue worse quickly. 

Fall Lift Inspection Checklist: 

•  Inspect lift cables for wear and fraying 

• Test locking mechanisms and verify they engage properly 

• Check hydraulic fluid levels and top off as needed 

• Look for signs of rust, corrosion, or damaged pads 

• Confirm lift points and arms move freely 

Tech tip: Ensure your lift’s locking system is functioning properly before tire change season begins in full force. And if you’re not running an ALI Certified lift? You’re risking technician safety and compliance. Coats Lifts are ALI Certified and built for durability in high-volume shops.

Need an annual lift inspection? Coats offers Certified Lift Inspections through our Coats Connect Service network. Our factory-trained, ALI-Certified lift inspectors provide thorough, documented inspections that meet ANSI/ALI ALCTV safety standards. We’ll inspect any brand of lift and make sure it’s ready for fall—and compliant with OSHA, IBC, and insurance requirements. You’ll get the peace of mind that your lifts are safe, certified, and ready to perform when the pressure is on. Learn more at coatscompany.com 

 

2. Calibrate Your Wheel Aligner—Fall = Alignment Season

After a summer full of road trips, potholes, and suspension strain, customers start noticing their ride pulling or vibrating. That makes fall prime time for alignments. But if your aligner’s sensors or software are out of spec, you’re setting your techs up for slowdowns—or costly comebacks. 

Alignment Season Prep: 

• • Calibrate sensors and verify target accuracy 

• • Run a diagnostic check and update software 

• • Back up alignment data and logs 

The Coats wheel alignment systems are built with scalability in mind—from entry-level setups to advanced options with full automation. All systems pair seamlessly with Coats alignment lifts for fast, accurate measurements and fewer do-overs. 

 

3. Test Your Tire Inflation System for Leaks & Accuracy

When the temperature drops, so does tire pressure. Your techs are about to start every shift chasing low TPMS lights. Make sure your air system is tight, clean, and calibrated so your inflators don’t Ensure your air system is tight, clean, and calibrated to prevent your inflators from becoming become a bottleneck. 

Inflation System Prep Checklist: 

• Inspect air hoses for leaks or weak pressure 

• Test inflator chucks and pressure gauges for accuracy 

• Drain moisture from the air compressor tank and check dryer filters 

• Clean or replace inline regulators and oilers 

Slow leaks and moisture buildup don’t just slow your team down, they impact torque accuracy and can even cause rust in your tools. A fast and accurate inflation setup keeps the line moving. 

 

4. Preventative Maintenance = Uptime Insurance

Don’t wait for something to break when your bays are packed. A small part failure on a balancer or tire changer can sideline a bay for days. Preventative maintenance now saves headaches (and lost revenue) later. 

Service Steps to Take This Month: 

• Schedule maintenance for your tire changers, balancers, and aligners 

• Replace high-wear parts: duckheads, jaws, hoses, grip pads 

• Review usage logs and inspect systems under heavy load 

Coats Connect Service helps shops reduce downtime by offering scheduled service visits and on-demand support through our nationwide network of factory-trained techs. It’s not just a repair call—it’s a way to protect your productivity. 

 

5. Organize Your Work Bays for Volume

Once those first cold snaps hit, customers flood in for snow tires, fluid checks, and battery swaps. A cluttered bay slows everything down. Fall is the time to clean, restock, and reconfigure for a fast turnaround. 

Work Bay Fall Readiness Tips: 

• Stock up on winter tires and accessories before the rush 

• Clear out unused tools or broken equipment 

• Stage frequently used tools and machines near each bay 

• Inspect shop lighting—shorter days mean longer hours under the hood 

At Coats, we’ve seen it over and over: a clean, organized bay equals a faster bay. That means happier techs, more cars out the door, and fewer errors. 

 

Don’t Let Fall Catch You Off Guard—Get Your Shop Ready Now 

This season brings opportunity—and pressure. Shops that prepare now can run more cars through the bays, keep techs moving, and make the most of every customer interaction. 

Here’s your fall prep checklist recap: 

• Inspect and test lifts 

• Calibrate your wheel aligner 

• Tune up your inflation system 

• Schedule preventative maintenance 

• Organize bays and prep for seasonal volume 

Need help getting your shop ready? Coats has your back, with tire changers, balancers, aligners, lifts, and service that are engineered for real-world performance and backed by the pros who know how work gets done. Reach out today to experience the Coats difference.