Older drivers are miles ahead in vehicle maintenance, Be Car Care Aware survey finds

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When 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, open to motorists of all ages, to give drivers in-depth training in proper vehicle maintenance. To learn more, visit 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.