Tuned and Toned: New Survey Shows Vehicle Health Shares Front Seat with Personal Health |
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First-of-its-kind Research Reinforces Importance of Regular Check-Ups What do maintaining proper tire pressure and healthy blood pressure have in common? A recent poll reveals that Americans place nearly equal importance on vehicle health and personal health. Results of the nationwide survey_ commissioned by Shell show 73 percent of Americans go out of their way to make sure their cars are in tip-top condition through maintenance, while 68 percent go out of their way to keep physically fit through regular exercise. Similarly, the survey shows 40 percent bring their cars in for maintenance at least once every 5,000 miles, and 35 percent go to the doctor more than once a year. This begs the question: What are the links between personal healthcare and vehicle maintenance habits? Prevention pays Just as prevention is the key to good health, it's also the key to good auto health. While many understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including stocking up on fruits and veggies (68 percent), a large majority (63 percent) also go out of the way to make sure their vehicles use only the best parts and accessories. And they say that they can feel the difference - 76 percent say eating right has a noticeable effect on how healthy they feel, and 73 percent say they can feel the difference when their vehicle's engine is clean and responsive. However, while many notice the positive effects of eating right, U.S. drivers often don't realize the beneficial effects of using high-quality fuels and lubricants for protecting vehicle health. "Just like choosing nutritional foods at the grocery store is a simple way to be healthy, filling up with high-quality gasoline is an easy change motorists can make to help protect their vehicles," said Sam Memmolo, ASE-certified mechanic and Shell spokesperson, Dr. FuelGood™. "It's important to take simple steps to protect the investment in your vehicle." A healthy car is a happy car Neglecting one's personal health can lead to loss of energy and ongoing health issues the same way neglecting your vehicle health can impact engine performance and lead to long-term maintenance issues. The biggest maintenance issue for America's vehicles, according to 39 percent of respondents, is the build-up of gunk in engines, which most (60 percent) described as similar to fat-clogging blood vessels. But it doesn't take a dramatic life change to make a difference - you can avoid vehicle health problems through regular maintenance and using a high-quality gasoline. Top automakers - Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen - agree fuel quality is important to help keep engines clean. They introduced the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Standard and recommend motorists use fuels that meet the standard, like Shell. And the winners are… Looking across all health metrics, sedan owners tend to have the best vehicle and personal health across the board (73 percent), whereas sports car, pick-up truck and motorcycle owners tend to care more for their vehicle's health than their own. Regionally_, Tucson, Ariz. houses the healthiest vehicles, while New York, N.Y., Los Angeles, Calif. and Nashville, Tenn. are the least healthy markets for vehicles. Take action! Understanding the growing importance of keeping America's vehicles healthy, Dr. FuelGood and Shell have launched "Americans for a Gunk-Free Nation" (AGFN) to help protect the nation's engines from gunk. AGFN hopes to educate American consumers about how to improve the state of vehicle health in the U.S. "If you want your vehicle to feel good, you must fuel well," said Memmolo. "Help your car perform at its best by choosing a high-quality gasoline, like Shell - it meets the TOP TIER standard and stops gunky build-up on critical engine parts." For additional information on gunk-free living, visit the AGFN Web site at www.shell.us/livegunkfree where you can read a blog by Dr. FuelGood's, participate in discussion boards and much more! |