Prioritizing Car Care–A Guide by SimpleTire

Ahead of Car Care Month in April, OnePoll conducted research on behalf of SimpleTire.com to understand how vehicle maintenance and needs can change depending on the climate and region in which your vehicle lives. This Survey resulted in identifying several key differences in the car maintenance habits and driving preferences of those surveyed across each region of the United States.

Included in SimpleTire and OnePoll’s report are detailed statistics measured through the car care survey which takes each region and climate zone in the US into effect. Most interestingly, their survey and analysis show that seasonal car repairs can total $1,772 per year on average for American car owners. A figure which will, most likely, continue to rise as time goes on.

SimpleTire’s resident tire expert and COO Josh suggests, “Both routine and seasonal maintenance are important in keeping your vehicle functioning safely,” and “Ahead of the spring months, test your battery to make sure it hasn’t lost any power, and inspect your entire vehicle, including windshield wipers, brakes, and tires, for any post-winter damage.”

Preventative maintenance is an essential step to keeping your vehicle in optimal condition. Checking fluid levels, wear components, battery voltage, and tire pressure can help keep your vehicle running longer while saving on vehicle expenses. However, not every driver is capable of upkeep on their own transportation or fleet of vehicles.

Who works on their own vehicle versus sending it to a mechanic? According to this survey 45% said their routine vehicle maintenance is usually done by a local mechanic, while 40% rely on their own expertise.

There are several reasons to prioritize car maintenance, as mapped out in the study. Many simply do not prioritize repairs due to the high cost and expenses for labor and parts. It can be a vicious cycle as regular repairs and maintenance can be key in keeping your vehicle on the road and operating at its full potential.

“Saving money on vehicle repairs can be as simple as making sure your tires are properly inflated, which can extend their average life by 4,700 miles,” Josh of SimpleTire added. “Making sure your tires are rotated, balanced, and aligned can also help prevent potential accidents.”

Simply put, checking battery performance, fluid levels (coolant, oil, wiper, transmission, brake), tire pressures, wiper blade conditions, lighting, brakes, suspension, and tire tread should all be included on your vehicle checklist as you move forward in prioritizing car care. Some maintenance items can be costly however the majority of what a vehicle needs for regular day-to-day operations should be found to be reasonable in cost. Especially in comparison to the repairs needed if the necessary maintenance is foregone.

Additional survey details and notes:

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American car owners ages 20–65 was commissioned by SimpleTire between February 4 and February 8, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership in the American Association for Public.