Oil text WAP service a hit for Castrol

Leading oil brand Castrol has seen a massive 484 per cent increase in usage of its oil recommendation WAP text service since September 2008 as UK motorists seek information about the correct oil for their car. Figures revealed by the brand show that the service is benefitting over 4,000 users per month.

Castrol enhanced its original WAP text service in 2008 by introducing a function which utilised the DVLA database and allows drivers to simply input their registration number via WAP technology to receive details of the correct oil for their exact make and model of car. The same technology is also available via Castrol's web site, and consumers also receive a picture text of the correct oil product to give easier off the shelf selection.

Rob Stroud, Marketing Manager at Castrol, says: "We are delighted with the take-up of the enhanced service, the success of which has, in part, been due to new on-pack messaging and in-store promotion introduced in September last year.

Our recent research has shown that over 50 per cent of motorists are unsure which oil they should be using for their car, and over 50 per cent of oil purchased in the retail market is the incorrect specification for the actual cars on the road, so the WAP text service goes some way to helping address this issue and ensure drivers know the right oil to use in their cars.

Motoring expert Quentin Willson added, "The service is a great information resource for motorists. In today's economic climate it's more important than ever for consumers to ensure they're not neglecting the health of their car and risking potential costly maintenance bills further down the line."

The recommendation service is part of a campaign by Castrol to help educate drivers on the importance of using the right oil for their car. The ‘Right Oil for Your Car' campaign hopes to highlight the effects of using the wrong oil and raise awareness among motorists of where to get advice on the right oil to use.