Ignorance puts strain on budgets of 5 million motorists

Despite the credit crunch, more than 5 million motorists are risking thousands of pounds by failing to carry out the most basic of car maintenance tasks.

An astonishing 17 percent of UK drivers – or 5.13 million - never check their oil level and, as National Oil Check Week 2009 (June 15-19) is announced in a bid to encourage motorists to take better care of their vehicles, car care specialist Comma has re-launched its campaign website, checkyouroil.co.uk.

A further 56 percent of the 3,800 surveyed admitted they either don’t have the time or simply forget to check it regularly.

With the very real threat of an average £1,413 engine repair bill, motorists’ laziness is costing British motorists up to £300 million a year.

Mike Bewsey, Sales and Marketing director of Comma, said: “When we’re all watching the pennies, it’s daft that we don’t take better care of one of the most expensive items we own, and which we rely so much.”

Plain ignorance about the importance of motor oil also plays its part. One in seven are so reliant on technology that they don’t believe it’s necessary to check manually and another 1 in 20 don’t even know how to carry out the simple 60-second dipstick test itself.

Bewsey adds: “If you’re going to risk extending the time between services, you need to at least do the basic things, like making sure your oil is topped up. Otherwise you’re simply increasing the chances of landing yourself with a garage bill that will eclipse any routine servicing cost.”

National Oil Check Week will be held as motor racing hero Lewis Hamilton prepares for his home Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 21. Mobil 1, technology partner to Hamilton’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team, has pledged its support for the campaign, along with the UK’s leading car accessory chain, Halfords.

For more information about National Oil Check Week, as well as advice on how to avoid a hefty repair bill, visit checkyouroil.co.uk.

For further information about Comma and to find your nearest stockist, visit commaoil.com and click on the Where to Buy button.