A new nationwide survey has found that just 24% of UK car owners check their engine oil once per month, leaving three quarters of vehicles with unknown lubricant levels.
The research was commissioned by Castrol as part of its ‘Oil Check Challenge’ campaign. The lubricants specialist has seen many of its branded garages across the country sign up to the campaign, offering drivers free oil checks.
The purpose of the Oil Check Challenge is to highlight the importance of regular monitoring of an engine’s oil level. Castrol is launching a competition to win free oil top-up kits – and is sharing simple online guidance on how motorists can quickly and easily assess the oil level of their car themselves. Find out more at: www.castrol.co.uk/oilcheckchallenge.
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Castrol’s survey found that some cars on UK roads go for extended periods without any check of the engine’s oil level, with 30% of owners saying they leave it to technicians to do as part of the vehicle’s annual service. Almost a third (32%) of respondents stated that they did not know the frequency with which oil checks should ideally take place.
A further 19% of car owners polled said that they would check the oil themselves, but only if the car were to alert them with a warning light. However, according to Castrol, the oil warning light on most cars illuminates only when the oil reserve is at or below the minimum, and at this point the engine can already be at serious risk of damage.
A third of UK car owners (32%) stated they had never topped up the engine oil on their current car or any previous vehicle, and 12% said they wouldn’t know how to perform a check on their current vehicle. Many stated that they are not confident in doing an oil check themselves, with 32% agreeing with the statement “I would prefer a technician to check as they would do a more effective job.” Only 45% say they typically check the oil level themselves, with the remainder instead asking for it to be done by a partner, spouse, neighbour, relative or work colleague.
Castrol estimates that 21% of vehicles on European roads are currently low on oil, and 8% are at immediate risk of damage because the oil level is at or below the minimum recommended level.
“It is clear from our survey that there is still some work to do in making car owners aware that their vehicle oil levels should be checked regularly, and to build their confidence in doing so,” commented Shailendra Gupte, Marketing Director EMEA, at Castrol. “Many of our Castrol Branded Workshops will offer customers free oil checks to help ensure their car engines are running efficiently and effectively.”
“Drivers can also view simple step-by-step instructions on Castrol’s website showing just how quick and easy it is to check and top-up engine oil. By doing this monthly, drivers can dramatically reduce the risk of running low, which can severely impair engine performance and efficiency, and potentially lead to engine damage and failure.”
