2/1/13
When shopping for a used vehicle, women consider a “quick” and “effortless” transaction to be a crucial factor, according to CarMax. One in four women say their last car purchase was a hassle, citing lack of a fair and reasonable trade-in value, difficulties with financing, and issues with the purchase price.
Price is the leading factor when choosing which car to buy. Women are less likely than men to say a car’s personality or features such as horsepower or MPG are significant influences on car purchases (27% vs. 35%).
Women are more likely than men to believe that failure to keep up with regular maintenance leads to vehicle depreciation (26% vs. 18%), says CarMax.
About two thirds each of women (64%) and men (69%) think men know more than women about car repair, according to Jiffy Lube. Women are more likely than men to answer a series of car maintenance questions correctly, however. More men than women incorrectly say that switching from conventional engine oil to synthetic oil extends a vehicle’s oil-change schedule (67% vs. 46%) and that the proper tire- inflation pressure information is located on the tires’ sidewalls (67% vs. 45%). This information is typically in the vehicle’s door or in the owner’s manual.
However, women are less likely than men to know the primary purpose of antifreeze/ coolant (56% vs. 78%) or that cabin air filters clean the air passengers breathe (27% vs. 47%). Only about half of women (48%) and men (50%) know that underinflated tires, dirty air filters, incorrect wheel alignments, and loose gasoline caps reduce gas mileage.
Almost one in two women (49%) and 54% of men are aware that windshield wipers need to be replaced every six to 12 months. Almost four in 10 women (38%) and men (39%) mistakenly believe that wipers need only be replaced every one to five years.
Some 15% of drivers nationwide are “tire smart,” which means they check tire pressure monthly, know where to find the correct tire pressure, and check tires before they drive on them. Women over age 60 are less likely than average to be “tire smart,” while men ages 18-59 are most knowledgeable, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Contacts and Connections: CarMax, Joe Kunkel, SVP Marketing and Strategy, 12800 Tuckahoe Creek Pky., Richmond, VA 23238; 804-747-0422; marketing_carmax@carmax.com; www.carmax.com.
Jiffy Lube International, Jeff Lack, Director Marketing, 700 Milam St., Houston, TX 77002; 713-546-4980; jeff.lack@?shell.com; www.jiffylube.com.
Rubber Manufacturers Association, Dan Zielinski, 1400 K St., NW, #900, Washington, DC 20005; 202-682-4846; ?dzielinski@rma.org; www.rma.org.
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