Generational Differences in Car Care Habits Revealed

A recent survey delved into the car care attitudes and practices of different generations, uncovering some surprising insights. From perceptions of their own maintenance skills to the sources they rely on for car care knowledge, the survey findings shed light on how age shapes our approach to vehicle upkeep.

Uncovering the Generational Divide in Car Care

Confidence in Car Care Spans the Generations

Regardless of their age, the vast majority of survey respondents believed they did a good job of caring for their vehicles. Across all generations, over 90% of participants said they maintained their cars to the best of their abilities or were mostly responsible about car care. The only exception was Generation X, where a slightly lower 87.3% expressed this level of confidence.This high level of self-assurance suggests that people of all ages feel they have a handle on the fundamentals of vehicle maintenance. However, the survey findings revealed some notable differences in how the generations approach specific car care practices.

Millennials Lead the Pack in Sticking to Manufacturer Recommendations

When it comes to following the service schedule outlined in a vehicle's owner's manual, millennials emerged as the most diligent age group. Over 83% of millennial respondents said they adhered to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals "always" or "most of the time." This was the only generation where more than 80% selected one of these two options.In contrast, the other generations were slightly less consistent in sticking to the prescribed service schedule. While still a majority, only 77.6% of all respondents overall reported following the manufacturer's recommendations "always" or "most of the time."

Baby Boomers Take a More Relaxed Approach to Oil Changes

One of the most fundamental car care tasks is changing the engine oil at regular intervals. The survey found that most people across all age groups change their oil either every 3,000 miles or every 4,000-5,000 miles, in line with modern recommendations.However, baby boomers stood out as the generation least likely to change their oil every 3,000 miles, with only 25% doing so. Instead, over half (53.5%) of baby boomers reported changing their oil every 4,000-5,000 miles. This suggests that older drivers may be more comfortable extending the oil change interval beyond the traditional 3,000-mile rule of thumb.

Boomers Lead the Charge in Addressing Car Issues Promptly

When it comes to responding to car problems, baby boomers emerged as the quickest to take action. Over two-thirds (68.6%) of boomer respondents said they addressed issues "as soon as possible," compared to just 40.7% of Gen Z participants who reported the same sense of urgency.This generational gap may stem from boomers' greater experience with vehicle maintenance and a deeper understanding of the importance of addressing problems before they escalate. Younger drivers, on the other hand, may be more inclined to wait and see if a problem resolves itself on its own.

Lack of Funds and Knowledge Hinder Timely Repairs

For those who don't address car issues right away, the primary reason is often a lack of financial resources. Two-thirds of respondents who delayed repairs cited "lack of funds to pay for maintenance and care" as a factor. The second most common reason was a "lack of knowledge or awareness of car maintenance practices," selected by over a third of these participants.Interestingly, baby boomers were the most likely to admit that they simply "don't care much about car maintenance," with 21.4% selecting this as a reason for delaying repairs. This suggests that for some older drivers, a more casual attitude towards vehicle upkeep may also contribute to delayed maintenance.

Younger Generations Take a More Hands-On Approach to Car Care

When it comes to performing maintenance tasks themselves, the survey found that younger generations are more likely to roll up their sleeves. Gen Z respondents were the most likely to change their own oil, with 54.9% reporting that they do this task themselves. Millennials weren't far behind, with 49.2% changing their own oil.In contrast, only 16.9% of baby boomers said they changed their own oil, making them the least likely of all the generations to tackle this job. Boomers were also the least likely to replace their own filters or change a tire, preferring to leave these tasks to professionals.

Where Generations Go for Car Care

The survey also uncovered significant differences in where each generation chooses to have their vehicles serviced. Baby boomers were the most likely to take their cars to a dealership, with 39% selecting this option. However, they were also the most inclined to use a local independent mechanic, with 36.6% choosing this route.In contrast, Generation X respondents were the most likely to have their cars serviced at a national chain shop like Jiffy Lube or Firestone. This generation was also the most likely to perform their own maintenance, with 11.4% selecting the "do-it-yourself" option.

The Digital Divide in Car Care Knowledge

The survey findings also highlighted a clear generational divide when it comes to the sources people rely on to learn about car care. While an average of 40.1% of Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X respondents said they learned from YouTube and other online resources, only 14.5% of baby boomers reported using these digital channels.Instead, baby boomers were much more likely to turn to their owner's manuals for car care guidance, with 40.1% citing this as a learning source. This contrasts with the younger generations, where only about a quarter relied on the owner's manual.These findings suggest that the "digital divide" extends to the realm of car care, with older drivers preferring more traditional, print-based sources of information compared to their tech-savvy younger counterparts.