A recent survey by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada reveals that drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 have no idea how to properly maintain their vehicles. The survey revealed some startling information:

• Young drivers are the least likely of all motorists to change their oil every 5,000 kilometres.
• 22 per cent don’t know when to change their oil, or simply wait for the oil light to come on.
• Only 45 per cent take their vehicle in for maintenance at least once a year, compared to 76 per cent of people aged 50 and older.
• 22 per cent of young drivers never get their car serviced, or do it only when it breaks down. Thirty-four per cent wait for a warning light or strange noise before visiting a mechanic.
• 10 per cent of young drivers never put air in their tires, and nine per cent admit they don’t know how to determine the correct tire pressure.

I am surprised that 22% don’t know when to change oil or wait for the oil light to come on. Most of my non automotive enthusiast friends know when to take their cars in to change oil, so that stat seems a bit high to me. Don’t people just look at the sticker on their windshield from their previous oil change? The last statistic seems really low to me. Only 10% don’t put air in their tires? If anything I thought this would be up in the 50 - 60% range.

Bill Gardiner, the celebrity mechanic from TSN’s Motoring 2008 who shared the results of the survey in Edmonton was surprised too at the 10% figure:

“I quite frequently see cars with dramatically underinflated tires,” Gardiner said, adding that low tire pressure can contribute to handling problems, premature wear and poor fuel economy. In extreme conditions — operated at high speed or under heavy load — underinflated tires can literally disintegrate.

When you see a car on the side of the road with a tire that’s come apart,” Gardiner said, “nine times out of 10 that’s an underinflated tire that was driven at high speed.”

I bet the statistics for beyond.ca members would be quite different since we’re all here for the love of all things cars. I change my oil religiously, and check my tire pressure a few times per year. What about you? When is the last time you did maintenance on your vehicle? Do you or do you know anyone that waits for the oil light to come on?