A study of some 1,000 UK drivers conducted on behalf of Mobil 1 has revealed that one in five admitted they were only prompted to check their engine oil when an instrument panel warning sign was activated. This is often a problem as by the time the light comes on oil pressure in the engine may have dropped meaning critical surfaces not being lubricated.

The survey also showed that when it comes to checking oil levels, over half of those questioned (51.6%) said that they leave this important task to others, for example a petrol station attendant, relative or friend. Another two thirds of respondents (60.2%) stated that they only had their oil changed once a year at most, with nearly one in ten people (8.6%) saying their engine oil hadn’t been changed in over two years. Almost half of respondents said they were unaware of their car’s recommended oil change intervals.

Dan McGoldrick, Field Marketing UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants said, “An engine oil check takes just a few minutes and can have a major impact on the cost-effective and smooth running of your vehicle, prolonging its life. By the time the warning light is illuminated on the dashboard, it’s possible that lasting damage has already been done to your engine. It’s also vital to have your engine’s lubricant changed in line with manufacturer recommendations.”

Tim Shallcross, Head of Technical Policy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), added: “Oil is the hardest working component in your engine; it makes the moving parts move more easily, keeps the hottest areas cool and absorbs harmful and corrosive exhaust fumes. A low oil level or missed oil change is the quickest way to wear an engine out, which not only risks hazardous breakdowns, but can also knock hundreds of pounds off the value of your car.”

Mobil point out the consequences of running your engine with lower than optimum oil levels can be expensive and dramatic, with increased component wear, increased fuel usage, engine over-heating and even total mechanical seizure all possibilities.