National Car Care Month
New Car Care Month Video
2009 National Car Care Month Check Lanes Show
70 Percent Failure Rate
Vehicle inspection lanes, conducted throughout the United States by sponsoring local organizations and businesses, are part of the automotive aftermarket industry’s ongoing public awareness campaign.
Volunteers across the country conduct these events, with a portion of them returning their vehicle inspection forms to the Car Care Council for tabulation and analysis. The 2009 campaign included results from a total of 542 vehicle inspections in 11 states nationwide.
Statistics from the latest Car Care Months inspection campaign (conducted in April 2009) continue to underscore the need for consumer education. The potential effects on highway safety, air quality, cost of operation, vehicle performance and vehicle dependability are self-evident from these results.
Overall, the vehicle failure rate for at least one part or system in 2009 was 70 percent, a decline from the previous year. This means that seven out of every 10 vehicles failed at least one component of the vehicle inspection process.
The following tables show the percentage of motorists participating in the National Car Care Month and Fall Car Care Month inspection campaign whose vehicles failed this part of the inspection.
LUBRICANTS AND FLUIDS
• Engine Oil 28%
• Transmission Fluid 17%
• Washer Fluid 20%
• Coolant (Flush) 27%
• Power Steering Fluid 15%
• Brake Fluid 10%
Low fluid levels can affect the safe driving performance of the vehicle and damage internal parts if not properly maintained. Over one-fourth of vehicles (28 percent) failed the inspection because of low, overfull or dirty motor oil.
The cooling system protects against damage by keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Twenty seven percent had low, leaky or dirty coolant in their radiator or surge tank.
One-fifth of vehicles failed the inspection for their washer fluid (20 percent). Approximately one-sixth of the vehicles inspected (17 percent) had either low, overfull or burnt transmission fluid, while one-seventh of vehicles had problems with their power steering fluid and brake fluid (15 percent and 10 percent respectively).
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
• Windshield Wipers 12%
• Rear Wiper or Washer 7%
One-eighth of vehicles (12 percent) had front windshield wiper failures, while 7 percent of vehicles needed service on their rear wipers.
PARTS
• Air Filter 13%
• Check Engine Light 13%
• Belts 17%
• PCV Filter 4%
• Hoses 9%
• Radiator Cooling Fan(s) 5%
• Horn 2%
• Mirrors 2%
Roadside breakdowns can be avoided by motorists periodically checking their belts and hoses and replacing them when worn. One out of every six belts was reported as unsatisfactory in the vehicles inspected (17 percent) and 9 percent of the vehicles required at least one new hose.
The air filter keeps abrasive dust, dirt, bugs and other foreign matter out of the fuel system air intake. A dirty filter can decrease gas mileage and increase emissions. Thirteen percent of the vehicles checked needed new air filters, as did thirteen percent of vehicles which had their check engine light on. Five percent of vehicles had problems with their radiator cooling fans.
Four percent of vehicles were in need of new PCV filters, while 2 percent had problems with their left, right or inside mirror and with their horn.
BATTERY
• Cables, Clamps or Terminals 16%
• Carrier/Hold Down 10%
Battery cables, clamps and terminals were found to need maintenance in approximately one-sixth of the vehicles inspected (16 percent), while 10 percent of the batteries were not properly held down.
TIRES
• Tire Depth 8%
• Tire Pressure 11%
Low tire pressure decreases gas mileage and tire life. Vehicles traveling with worn tread are at greater risk of losing traction on wet or snowy roads. Eleven percent of the vehicles were found to have improperly inflated tires and 8 percent had worn tread and were in need of replacement.
LIGHTS/VISION
• License Plate Lights 17%
• Brake Lights 12%
• Backup Lights 5%
• Side Lights 6%
• Turn Signals 5%
• Parking/Tail Lights 4%
• Dash Indicator Lights 3%
Vehicle lighting provides a means of communicating among drivers and is vital to any properly functioning vehicle. One-sixth of vehicles (17 percent) needed work on at least one of their license plate lights. Twelve percent needed work on their left, right or center brake lights. Six percent failed due to side markers. Five percent failed due to backup lights, headlights and turn signals. Another 3 percent failed on their dash indicators light.
