
New CARFAX data shows that many Americans are behind on critical vehicle maintenance such as regular oil changes and tire rotations. In fact, 29% are behind on oil changes and 44% haven’t had their tires rotated as required. About 1-in-5 owners are behind on both services, CARFAX data shows.
This information was compiled from alerts and service records for the 35 million vehicles in the CARFAX Car Care program.
Independent dealers with service shops should reach out to customers and remind them of their car’s maintenance schedule and encourage visits to the dealership. Dealer consultants suggest these visits help build and maintain relationships. For buy-here, pay-her dealers, it keeps the car well-maintained. For independent dealers it opens the opportunity to sell another vehicle.
The true Service Slackers? They’re car owners who live in Alaska, West Virginia, Maine, Rhode Island and Mississippi. These owners are the most likely to have missed their important maintenance dates.
But take heart: There are “Maintenance Mavens,” who are at the other end of the spectrum, who get the work done in a timelier fashion, who live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah, Nevada and Virginia.