When asked if simply switching from conventional engine oil to synthetic engine oil would enable the number of miles between oil changes to be safely extended, 67 percent of men and 46 percent of women incorrectly assumed it would. “Switching from conventional to synthetic oil is not an automatic license to extend a vehicle’s oil-change interval,” says Mark Ferner, Jiffy Lube research and development manager and ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician.
“In your owners’ manual you will find the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended intervals for oil changes. Those guidelines should be followed regardless of whether you use conventional or synthetic oil. It’s also important to use the right set of recommendations for the way you drive. Most vehicle owners’ manuals list two oil change intervals – one for ‘normal’ driving and the other for ‘severe’ driving. If you idle excessively, or often drive in stop-and-go traffic or extreme temperatures, your vehicle is likely a candidate for the ‘severe’ service schedule, which typically means it needs preventive maintenance more often.”
About half of the men and women polled (54 percent and 49 percent) knew the normal life expectancy for many windshield wiper blades is six to 12 months. But nearly 40 percent of them (39 percent and 38 percent) answered anywhere from one to five years. “Many drivers don’t think about the condition of their wiper blades until they’re caught in foul weather,” says Ferner. ”Checking and replacing them as needed could improve visibility to avoid a very dangerous situation out on the road.”
Only about half of men and women (50 percent and 48 percent) knew under-inflated tires, a dirty air filter, incorrect wheel alignment, and even a loose gasoline cap can all reduce gas mileage. “Avoiding fast starts and stops, speeding, and excessive idling can also help you get more miles out of every gallon of gasoline,” says Ferner.
The information presented in this survey came from an Opinion Research Corporation CARAVAN omnibus study conducted between March 31 and April 3, 2006. It was conducted by telephone among a representative national sample of 524 men and 522 women age 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percent.
Jiffy Lube, with more than 2,200 service centers in North America, services approximately 27.5 million vehicles each year. Visit www.jiffylube.com to find the service center nearest you.
Courtesy of ARA Content
