Many car enthusiasts can get into a situation when they went out to the car, and it was frozen. Experts told how the engines are safely heated and which brand is easiest to cope with on their own.
Severe frosts last week did not spare thousands of cars in Novosibirsk. Egor Bukhman, a representative of the Warming Up Auto 54rus service, says that 300-400 applications were accepted every day in cold weather, last Wednesday this figure jumped to 3 thousand, the service was able to help 800 motorists. Pavel Marchenko, a specialist from another Hot Service company, calls similar figures and adds that motorists lined up for several days.
“A common man in the street can only understand whether the car has a battery or not. Then there are people who themselves are trying to start, light a cigarette from a neighbor, and as a result we have a frozen engine and flooded candles. The second act differently: they did not start, they immediately called the specialists. 15 minutes - the car is running, ”says Marchenko.
Secret guns
The mobile "brigades" are heating the cars with diesel heat guns. The device injects a powerful stream of hot air with a temperature of 380 degrees. Its directionality is usually provided by a flexible corrugated nozzle.
Specially made guns for warming up cars are not produced, therefore, according to the interlocutors, they are modernized on their own, but they don’t tell how, this is a secret and a difference from competitors. Marchenko only noted that his company uses a lower temperature and lets the air flow in a special way.
“The safest option is to slowly warm up the engine compartment. We close the front of the car from mirror to mirror, cover with a blanket and supply a stream of warm air from below. Ideally - 100 degrees, since the operating temperature of the engine is 90. In this way, oil, cold gasoline, bearings are warmed up, which means that it is easier for the engine to rotate, ”Marchenko describes the process.
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“It is imperative to open the hood, otherwise paint may burst. We cover the engine with a special blanket, ”adds Buchman.
According to the experts, you can warm up the car in 15 minutes, but on average, the procedure lasts 20-40 minutes.
A heat gun can also damage a car. If you do not control the air flow and heat directly, then there is a risk of melting the bumpers, protective elements, burning the wiring and boiling oil.
“If a man fits with his head, then it’s safe,” Bukhman assures. "Novosibirsk - the city" warmed up ", everyone considers himself a specialist, but this is not so" - adds Marchenko.
It is dangerous to heat your car and engine with open flame gas burners such as Chinese camping burners or blow torches.
Photo: © courtesy of Pavel Marchenko
Risks of auto-heating
Warming up a car in certain cases requires "lighting" the battery, igniting the spark plugs if they are flooded with fuel, and defrosting the exhaust system. Back in the USSR: why "Zhiguli" are returning popularity
“If the car is at auto start for two or three days, then the exhaust system may freeze. The engine "" spits out "" exhaust gases, and condensation accumulates in the exhaust system - as if you go into the heat with glasses from frost. The exhaust system is uneven, and an ice plug may occur, as if you plug a pipe with potatoes, therefore, the car will not start, ”explains Marchenko.
The warming-up process takes place in the same way as for the engine. The specialist determines the lowest place and warms it up with a gun, while he has to lie under the machine to control the process. The ice melts and water spits out through the muffler at startup.
How much is
The cost of warming up a car in Novosibirsk starts from 500 rubles. On average, prices in the city range from 800 to 1.5 thousand rubles. They depend on the problems of the car: you only need to warm up the engine, or revive the plugs with the exhaust system.
If the car does not start for another reason, for example, the starter is faulty or the gasoline pump does not work, then the masters are asked to pay only for their departure in the amount of 250-300 rubles.
“We included only labor costs and expenses for fuel and lubricants in the cost. I believe that you cannot profit from someone else's misfortune, ”explains the economics of the seasonal business of Marchenko.
“I think it's much cheaper than calling a tow truck and driving to a car wash. We charge no more for work than a service station. There it costs 300 rubles to unscrew the candles, we have 200 rubles, and we work in the cold, ”Bukhman adds.
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Photo: © courtesy of Pavel Marchenko
How to avoid freezing
According to the observations of car heating specialists, all brands of cars from "A" to "Z", of any age freeze. But the owners of domestic cars still apply less.
“There are not many Zhiguli cars, people start them themselves. If a Zhigulist called, it means that on the first day he was charging the battery, on the second day several friends lit it up, on the third day they started from the pusher, on the fourth they bought new candles, and again something went wrong, on the fifth day he despaired and decided to call ", - says Marchenko.
The car may not start in frost for several reasons - this bad battery, out-of-season oil, bad, smoked candles, or clogged nozzles. They must be washed regularly, otherwise they will not spray the fuel into a fine mixture, which is easy to ignite from a spark, but pour it in droplets or trickles. This makes it easier to fill the spark plug with cold fuel.
“A car should live in a garage as a person in an apartment. Then he came, started normally and drove off. You need to think about frost from the fall: replace the candles, replace the oil with oil with the appropriate viscosity, if it is more than 10, then the car will not start. Carry out an audit of the battery, check the tension of the alternator belt so that it does not dangle and give the right charge... If the battery has been working for more than five years, you need to think about replacing it, ”advises Dmitry Sidorov, chairman of the Novosibirsk Driving Schools Association. Top 5 winter driving mistakes
Motorists recommend, before a long parking in the cold, to bring the battery into the heat. There are a few things to keep in mind with the popular way to auto-heat your car. Autostart by the temperature sensor will save fuel consumption, but remember that the sensors can "switch off", then the car will freeze. If this has already happened, then the probability of a repetition is quite real and it is better to choose autostart by timer.
In addition, auto-heating for several days can lead to freezing. exhaust system... To prevent this from happening, it is worth driving once a day and driving high revs 3-5 thousand 5-10 minutes for the ice to melt and fly out with water.
This service is in demand in regions with severe winters. Study the situation with the number of frosty days per year in your region and conduct a survey among familiar motorists. It is important to find out if the car heating business will be in demand. Preliminary calculations of the cost of the required equipment and the probable profits will help determine whether it is worth doing this business at all.
The main risks
This is a seasonal business and cannot be regarded as the main source of income. Equipment and advertising costs may not be recouped over the season. This service should be considered as one of the components of a complex for the repair and maintenance of cars or an opportunity to quickly earn start-up capital for further business development.
Location
An office is not needed for this business, you can take orders by phone. The peculiarities of this direction are constant mobility and the ability to go to the customer. We can say that your office will be a car with necessary equipment... At the start, you should pay close attention to garage cooperatives, offer your services to neighbors. IN big city you won't be able to provide services to everyone, so focus on the areas near your home or garage. This will save you on transportation costs.
Technology
Installing a heater on a car is an expensive pleasure; not every driver can afford it. The cheapest option is to use a fan-assisted heat gun to blow air. Connecting to the electrical network or the vehicle network is not cost-effective. It is better to use heating from fuel combustion using a converter.
For a targeted flow of warm air to the engine of the machine, a corrugation is used for ventilation. In order to avoid heat loss and minimize the heating time, the engine compartment is covered with a fire-fighting mat.
With proper organization of work, the procedure takes about 20 minutes. It is necessary to closely monitor the operation of the equipment, because the converter tends to overheat during intensive work.
Equipment
The minimum costs for the purchase of devices necessary for warming up cars in winter are as follows:
Heat gun - about 9,000 rubles.
- High power converter to convert the energy of the car network into alternating current 220 V - about 5,000 rubles.
- 3 meters of corrugation - about 500 rubles.
- Fire blanket (felt) - about 500 rubles.
The total approximate amount is 15,000 rubles. But that's not all, you need to consider expendable materials... For the first time, you should stock up on additional funds to buy diesel fuel, because with a normal workload of orders, you will have to spend about 1,500 rubles a day on it. You can close them in literally a few hours of work, but it's better to play it safe.
It is advisable to purchase a minibus for transportation. If you already own a car, you can opt out of this purchase at the first stage.
Personnel
At the initial stage, one person can handle the work. But it is very important to assemble the entire set of equipment correctly and conduct preliminary tests for flawlessness and efficiency in your garage. This requires a technical education. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills, invite a competent specialist.
If the number of orders is too large, and one person cannot cope, you can hire an assistant. But the main difficulty lies in the need to acquire additional kit equipment. It is worth considering very carefully whether this is beneficial given the unpredictability of the weather.
Documents and licenses
You should not count on the ability to provide these services without proper paperwork and paying taxes. An individual entrepreneur and a simplified taxation system are suitable for work in this direction. Execution and maintenance of documentation takes a minimum of time and money, does not require special knowledge.
You do not need a license to provide car heating services in winter.
Marketing
The main success factor in this service is the right approach to advertising. Need to warm up engine compartment occurs situationally when severe frosts descend on the city. Large-scale media advertising, banners and other expensive marketing techniques are ineffective and are not suitable for the service you have chosen.
The right way is to post ads. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast and literally 1-2 days before the temperature drops to the desired values, walk through the courtyards with apartment buildings, garage cooperatives, car parks... Look for crowded places and post your ads in plain sight. Drivers who go outside in the morning and cannot start the engine should see them immediately.
It makes sense to work on the Internet. It is a free resource that only requires time consuming. Place announcements about your services on the city portal, social networks and motorist forums. In time they will remember you and start looking for contact information.
Business cards worth printing. When you come to a call, hand them over to your customers. Having used your services once, a grateful client will definitely recommend them to his friends and relatives.
Consider pricing. It is worth setting different tariffs depending on the time of day - during the working day it is cheaper, in the evening - a higher rate. Also consider the distance from your home or office.
In a few frosty days, an enterprising businessman can earn an impressive amount. You can spend it and hope for another drop in temperature, but there is a smarter approach to these funds. Think about other services that will be less in demand in your city, and invest the earned capital in development.
Profitability
The minimum cost of the engine compartment heating service is 500 rubles. The total profit largely depends on the number of orders and your efficiency. It is worth being sensitive to demand. It is very likely that with a high workload of orders, you will be able to increase the cost by 2-3 times. With the right organization and a successful combination of circumstances, you can earn at least 15,000 rubles per day. You can recoup the cost of purchasing equipment and cover the current one in 1-2 days.
These are very rough calculations, because in the real world, the profitability of the car heating service in winter time many factors influence. But main criterion success - your entrepreneurial spirit, ability to respond flexibly and quickly to changing circumstances and use them to your advantage.
Summary
The service of warming up cars in winter is a very profitable direction for business. Most motorists perceive winter frosts as another obstacle and a serious problem. A resourceful businessman sees weather cataclysms as a great opportunity to make quick money.
Attachments: from 15,000 rubles
Payback: from 2 to 3 months
The harsh winter weather sometimes takes the car owner by surprise. The car freezes and does not want to start. Taking advantage of the opportunity, entrepreneurs can not only provide assistance, but also earn good money. Let's take a look at this business idea and find out how to bring it to life and how profitable it is.
Concept
In the regions of Russia, where the air temperature drops below -25 degrees, freezing of vehicles is not uncommon, so companies involved in warming up cars become the only salvation for the victims.
Specialists come to the call, connect the equipment and closely monitor the engine warming up process. On average, it takes 15-30 minutes to heat one car. The equipment works on the principle of "self-heating": the air from the combustion of fuel is forced back to the machine by an electric fan, and does not go outside.
What is required for implementation?
If a person decides to start a transport heating business, he or she should register as an individual entrepreneur or register the company as a legal entity.
The car is warmed up using a set of equipment and tools:
- heat gun;
- 3 meters of corrugated pipe;
- high voltage converter for recycling direct current from car battery AC 220 V;
- fire blanket - for fire safety purposes.
We also need a vehicle that can accommodate all the equipment. It will not work to hide in it, since the specialist must constantly monitor the operation of the thermal gun.
In addition, a businessman faces the need for advertising and hiring hired personnel.
Step-by-step startup instructions
Since business needs mobility, a car serves as a working office. If a novice businessman is satisfied with the seasonality of profits, the idea should be started in stages:
- paperwork. A license is not required, but you will have to register your business. A simplified taxation system is suitable;
- a car is equipped in which the necessary tools are placed;
- the technology is selected. The budget option is a heat gun with a fan for air injection. Its connection to the power grid is not profitable. It is desirable to apply heating from fuel combustion using a converter;
- equipment is purchased;
- employees are recruited. At first, one person can work;
- developing a client base;
- advertising campaign, including through the distribution of business cards and brochures.
It is advisable to distribute advertising material 1-2 days before the onset of severe frosts. Therefore, pay close attention to the weather forecast. Some promotion methods are free and require only time from the entrepreneur.
Financial calculations
The approximate cost of the minimum set of tools and equipment is as follows:
- cannon - 9 thousand rubles;
- diesel fuel for the engine and gun - 1.5 thousand rubles;
- fire bed - 0.25-0.5 thousand rubles;
- "Corrugation" with a length of at least 3 m - 0.5 thousand rubles;
- converter - 3-5 thousand rubles.
Start-up capital
In general, it takes about 15 thousand rubles to launch the project, but consumables must also be added to this amount. It's good if the entrepreneur has private carotherwise he will have to invest in buying or renting a minibus.
Monthly expenses
The purchase of diesel fuel requires about 1.5 thousand rubles per day. Of course, these costs can be covered after a few hours of work, but it is still worth having a cash supply.
How much can you earn
The cost of services is different, since there is still no high competition in this sector. Across Russia average price warming up a car varies between 500-1500 rubles. Practice shows that in just 10 days the net income of a business can reach 150 thousand rubles.
Payback period
With an insignificant flow of customers, the costs do not pay off throughout the season. If the advertising campaign is of high quality, the payback occurs in just one month.
Business risks and cons
The business is profitable only in the winter season, so it should be considered as additional service in the general list of works on repair and maintenance of vehicles.
Outcome
The service of warming up transport in winter is a rather profitable idea. The overwhelming majority of drivers see winter as another obstacle and a significant problem. But for an entrepreneur, this is a great period for a good income.
Before we start
This service is in demand in regions with severe winters. Study the situation with the number of frosty days per year in your region and conduct a survey among familiar motorists. It is important to find out if the car heating business will be in demand. Preliminary calculations of the cost of the required equipment and the probable profits will help determine whether it is worth doing this business at all.
The main risks
Location
An office is not needed for this business, you can take orders by phone. The peculiarities of this direction are constant mobility and the ability to go to the customer. We can say that your office will be a car with the necessary equipment. At the start, you should pay close attention to garage cooperatives, offer your services to neighbors. In a big city, you won't be able to provide services to everyone, so focus on the neighborhoods near your home or garage. This way you will save on transportation costs.
Technology
Installing a heater on a car is an expensive pleasure; not every driver can afford it. The cheapest option is to use a fan-assisted heat gun to blow air. Connecting to the electrical network or the vehicle network is not cost-effective. It is better to use heating from fuel combustion using a converter.
For a targeted flow of warm air to the engine of the machine, a corrugation is used for ventilation. In order to avoid heat loss and minimize the heating time, the engine compartment is covered with a fire-fighting mat.
With proper organization of work, the procedure takes about 20 minutes. It is necessary to closely monitor the operation of the equipment, because the converter tends to overheat during intensive work.
Equipment
The minimum costs for the purchase of devices necessary for warming up cars in winter are as follows:
Heat gun - about 9,000 rubles.
- A high-power converter for converting the energy of the automobile network into alternating current 220 V - about 5,000 rubles.
- 3 meters of corrugation - about 500 rubles.
- Fire blanket (felt) - about 500 rubles.The total approximate amount is 15,000 rubles. But that's not all, consumables must be taken into account. For the first time, you should stock up on additional funds to buy diesel fuel, because with a normal workload of orders, you will have to spend about 1,500 rubles a day on it. You can close them in literally a few hours of work, but it's better to play it safe.
It is advisable to purchase a minibus for transportation. If you already own a car, at the first stage you can refuse this purchase.
At the initial stage, one person can handle the work. But it is very important to assemble the entire set of equipment correctly and conduct preliminary tests for flawlessness and efficiency in your garage. This requires a technical education. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills, invite a competent specialist.
If the number of orders is too large, and one person cannot cope, you can hire an assistant. But the main difficulty lies in the need to purchase an additional set of equipment. It is worth considering very carefully whether this is beneficial given the unpredictability of the weather.
Documents and licenses
You should not count on the ability to provide these services without proper paperwork and paying taxes. An individual entrepreneur and a simplified taxation system are suitable for work in this direction. Execution and maintenance of documentation takes a minimum of time and money, does not require special knowledge.
You do not need a license to provide car heating services in winter.
Marketing
Profitability
The minimum cost of the engine compartment heating service is 500 rubles. The total profit largely depends on the number of orders and your efficiency. It is worth being sensitive to demand. It is very likely that with a high workload of orders, you will be able to increase the cost by 2-3 times. With the right organization and a successful combination of circumstances, you can earn at least 15,000 rubles per day. You can recoup the cost of purchasing equipment and cover the current one in 1-2 days.
These are very rough estimates, because in the real world, many factors affect the profitability of a car heating service in winter. But the main criterion for success is your entrepreneurial spirit, the ability to flexibly and quickly respond to changing circumstances and use them to your advantage.
The service of warming up cars in winter is a very profitable direction for business. Most motorists perceive winter frosts as another obstacle and a serious problem. A resourceful businessman sees weather disasters as a great opportunity to make quick money
