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Older drivers are
miles ahead in
vehicle maintenance
Be car care aware survey finds
hen it comes to keeping their vehicles in tip-top
shape, nobody does it better than drivers aged
50-plus.
Mature drivers are more knowledgeable
about vehicle maintenance requirements and
they’re also more likely to follow a regular maintenance
schedule that prolongs vehicle life, improves performance and
protects the environment. That’s according to a national survey
from Be Car Care Aware – a consumer education campaign from
Car Care Canada to encourage proper vehicle maintenance.
Younger drivers could learn a thing or two from this maintenance-wise
age group. In fact, the Be Car Care Aware survey
shows drivers over age 50 are superior in virtually every category
of car care – from frequent oil changes to regular preventative
maintenance and tire inflation checks.
The poll, which also probed attitudes and knowledge about
vehicle maintenance, found Canadian drivers aged 50 to 64 are
far more likely to assume sole responsibility for maintaining
their vehicle (74%) – compared to 64 percent of motorists
between 35 and 49 and 50 percent among drivers aged 18 to 34.
Drivers over age 50 are also more likely to know that a regular
maintenance schedule prolongs vehicle life, enhances personal
safety and protects the environment through better fuel
efficiency and the lower emissions that result.
“If all drivers were as savvy as those between 50 and 64,
there would be a significant drop in break downs and expensive
repairs caused by neglect – not to mention fewer accidents and
a significant decrease in harmful emissions”, says Kelly Williams,
spokesperson for Care Car Canada, a non-profit advocacy group
for best vehicle maintenance practices. “Fortunately for the rest
of us, proper car care is not rocket science. All that is needed is
a little knowledge and, most importantly, the discipline to stick
to a regular maintenance schedule.”
Here are some ways you can minimize repairs due to neglect,
ensure your vehicle delivers the optimum in safe, reliable
performance and does not unduly harm the environment.
• Conduct regular maintenance – two to three times per
year is best – and follow a scheduled maintenance plan
conducted by certified automotive technicians.
• Change your oil and filters regularly – every 5,000 kms or
three months is recommended
• Take care of your tires – check tread depth and tire
pressure monthly. Properly inflated tires are safer,
perform better and deliver significantly better fuel
economy. For the right inflation pressure, check your
owner’s manual or the placard inside the door or gas
cap cover. Always use the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommended air pressure.
• Carry an emergency road kit containing jumper cables,
blankets, matches, candles, flares and water.
• Maintain your brakes to ensure they are working
properly in the event you have to make an emergency
stop. When your brakes squeak, for example, have them
checked at the earliest opportunity.
May is Car Care Month and it is being celebrated with a
series of Car Care Clinics across Canada, open to motorists of all
ages, to give drivers an overview of proper vehicle maintenance.
To learn more, visit the Events Calendar on the Be Car Care
Aware website at www.carcarecanada.ca.
About Be Car Care Aware
and Car Care Canada
The aim of the Be Car Care Aware campaign is to empower
drivers to make sensible decisions about their vehicles and avoid
costly repairs due to neglect. It’s spearheaded by Car Care
Canada and built around three key themes: safety, environmental
protection and maximizing value for money spent on vehicle
maintenance and repairs.
Car Care Canada is a non-profit advocacy group that
offers research, consumer education and information about
the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry. For over 15
years, Car Care Canada has been working to advance public
understanding of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance
and how, by taking a preventative approach to vehicle
care and driving habits, motorists can lower maintenance costs
and improve safety.