Toco Car Care Index Survey

Toco Car Maintenance Survey – Topline Results

Background and Methodology

The Toco Car Maintenance Survey was conducted online among a nationwide sample of 1,001 car owners and lessees age 18 years and older in the U.S. Data was gathered on behalf of Toco in late 2014 by global data collection service provider Critical Mix, to determine whether and how often respondents perform, or have a professional perform, basic car care items.  

1.    Do you own or have a lease on a car that you, personally, drive at least once a week?

Yes, own a car	95%
Yes, have a lease on a car	5%

2.    Age

18-­‐24	6%
25-­‐34	18%
35-­‐44	18%
45-­‐54	19%
55-­‐64	21%
65+	19%

3.    Gender

Male	49%
Female	51%

4.    Region

Northeast	20%
South	36%
Midwest	24%
West	20%

Today we would like to know about you and your car. For the remainder of this survey, please think about the car owned or leased by you that you drive most often.

5.   Which of the following best describes your car?

Sedan	49%
SUV	24%
Pick-­‐up Truck	9%
Minivan	6%
Sports car	5%
Other	4%
Station wagon	2%
Mini car	1%

6.   For what do you primarily use your vehicle?

Personal use	97%
Business use	3%

When it comes to taking care of your car, please tell us who PRIMARILY does each of the following—you or someone in your household, a mechanic/service professional or you have no idea—and how often they do it.

	Me or someone in my household	Professional	No one or I have no idea
7.   Check Tire Pressure and Condition	60%	38%	2%
8.   Wash Your Car (to remove road salt and grime)	70%	26%	4%
9.   Change the Oil	30%	68%	2%
10. Change Transmission, Steering, and Other Fluids	25%	73%	2%
11. Check the Battery, including Terminals and Cables	44%	53%	2%
12. Check the Spark Plugs	29%	69%	2%

13. Change the Air Filters	41%	57%	2%
14. Check the Engine Belts	29%	68%	3%
15. Check the Brakes	28%	69%	2%
16. Change the Coolant (antifreeze)	36%	61%	3%

Approximately how often does someone do each of the following things? [NOTE: Respondents not asked time interval for any maintenance items they do not do]

	Every Month	Every 3mo/ 3,000mi	Every 6mo/ 6,000mi	Every 12mo/ 12,000 mi	Less often than every 12mo/ 12,000 mi	Don’t know	No not do this
17. Check Tire Pressure and Condition	41%	26%	17%	5%	2%	8%	2%
18. Wash Your Car (to remove road salt and grime)	57%	18%	10%	3%	3%	5%	4%
19. Change the Oil	4%	46%	35%	7%	2%	4%	2%
20. Change Transmission, Steering, and Other Fluids*	6%	14%	20%	17%	22%	18%	2%
21. Check the Battery, including Terminals and Cables	17%	21%	23%	15%	9%	12%	2%
22. Check the Spark Plugs	5%	14%	19%	21%	21%	18%	2%
23. Change the Air Filters	4%	18%	27%	24%	11%	13%	2%
24. Check the Engine Belts	9%	18%	23%	18%	14%	15%	3%
25. Check the Brakes	7%	19%	26%	22%	12%	11%	2%
26. Change the Coolant (antifreeze)	7%	14%	18%	22%	19%	16%	3%

*Item not included in the index.

27. In the past 12 months, have you spent any money on routine maintenance and repairs to keep your car running? This includes things such as oil and tire changes and repairs from general wear and tear, but does not include things like gas or repairs from an accident.

Yes	83%
No	15%
Not Sure	3%

28. Approximately how much have you spent on car repair and maintenance in the past 12 months?

	(base = 827)
Less than $250	36%
$250 -­‐   $499	23%
$500 -­‐   $749	15%
$750 -­‐   $999	9%
$1000 -­‐   $1499	8%
$1500 -­‐   $1999	4%
$2000 or more	3%
Not Sure	2%

29. Approximately how much of the above amount was covered by a warranty or vehicle service contract?

	(base = 827)
$0	72%
$1 -­‐   $249	7%
$250 -­‐   $499	6%
$500 -­‐   $749	3%
$750 -­‐   $999	3%
$1000 -­‐   $1499	2%
$1500 -­‐   $1999	*

$2000 or more	1%
Not Sure	5%

30. Which of the following categories includes things that were replaced or repaired on your car? [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

	(base = 827)
Routine Maintenance	73%
Engine	19%
Air Conditioner	13%
Cooling System	12%
Electrical	11%
Transmission	10%
Drive Axle	5%
Other	19%
Not Sure	6%

That’s it! The rest of the questions are for classification purposes only, so we can group your responses with people like you.

31. Do you live in an urban, suburban or rural area?

Suburban	54%
Urban	24%
Rural	21%

32. Approximately how many miles are on your car?

Less than 10,000	8%
10,000 – 19,999	6%

20,000 – 29,999	8%
30,000 – 39,999	9%
40,000 – 49,999	9%
50,000 – 59,999	10%
60,000 – 69,999	7%
70,000 – 79,999	6%
80,000 – 89,999	6%
90,000 – 99,999	4%
100,000 or more	25%

33. What model year is your vehicle?

1980 and earlier	1%
1981-­‐1990	3%
1991-­‐2000	16%
2001-­‐2010	54%
2011+	27%

34. Do you have a vehicle service contract (in other words, a contract for repair, or replacement for an operational or structural failure of a vehicle)?

Yes	19%
No	73%
Not sure	7%

35. Are there children under the age of 18 living at home with you?

Yes	35%
No	65%

36. Does anyone in your household who is under the age of 18 drive your car?

	Base =355
Yes	17%
No	83%

37. Which of the following best describes you?

White or Caucasian	80%
Black or African American	10%
Asian or Pacific Islander	5%
Hispanic/Latino	4%
American Indian or Alaskan Native	1%
Some other race	1%

38. Into which of the following categories did your TOTAL household income fall before taxes in

2013?

Less than $25,000	17%
$25,000 -­‐   $34,999	13%
$35,000 -­‐   $49,999	18%
$50,000 -­‐   $64,999	18%
$65,000 -­‐   $79,999	10%
$80,000 -­‐   $99,999	9%
$100,000 -­‐   $149,999	12%
$150,000 or more	4%

Article Resource: https://www.tocowarranty.com/TocoCares/Blog/Toco-Car-Care-Index-Survey