Each time fuel prices soar, American drivers learn the importance of fuel economy the hard way. While many consumers are downsizing into smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, proper maintenance of your current car can save you more money than you think. Most drivers have not yet grasped the concept that preventive maintenance is critical to long term better fuel mileage and smaller repair costs.
A new DriverSide study, administered by Kelton Research, has revealed that while nine in ten American car owners believe they do everything they should to properly maintain their vehicle, in reality less than half (only 41 percent) of these owners actually follow their manufacturer’s scheduled service recommendations. Men are more likely to do so, with a response rate of 46 percent versus the female response rate of 37 percent. Another interesting discovery was that less than 1 in 4 drivers (23 percent) actually work with mechanics to develop a maintenance plan for their vehicle.
With most households owning two or more vehicles, it only makes sense to extend the life and fuel efficiency of those investments with a proper maintenance plan.