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Americans Really Do Love Their Cars
Whether it was love at first sight or a relationship that developed over
time and many miles, there's no denying it -- drivers love their vehicles. With the holiday dedicated to love just around
the corner, a national survey conducted by Jiffy Lube International shows that drivers shower their rides with affection just
as they do a close friend or family member. More than a third of American drivers reveal they've humanized their relationships
with their vehicle by providing words of encouragement, doling out compliments, and apologizing or saying thanks.
Expressions of Love
Open communication is a driving
factor in the relationship between man (or woman) and machine these days -- with many drivers admitting they very openly express
their love and affection for their set of wheels. In fact, drivers are 30 percent more likely to encourage their cars for
good performance than they were three years ago(1). Today, 60 percent of drivers say they provide encouragement to their rides
in various ways, allowing the relationship to blossom as the pair travels along the roads of life. How else are drivers showing
love for their vehicles?
• Simple Support - Drivers show their endearments in many ways, proving that sometimes
actions speak just as loudly as words. Three-in-five drivers say they have shown affection for their cars by providing verbal
support or physical gestures of encouragement -- such as rubbing the dashboard or steering wheel -- to get their rides to
start up, speed up, not stall out or stop.
• Friendly Flirting - More than a third of drivers compliment their
vehicles. Dependability, superior performance and appearance top the list of drivers' reasons for bestowing praise on
their rides -- if only the rides could flatter their owners in the same way.
• Abundant Appreciation - Ever been
thankful to get somewhere on-time, make it through rough weather or on a limited fuel supply?
Almost half of drivers
have thanked their cars for a job well done and nearly a third has apologized to their vehicles -- be it for driving recklessly
or getting into an accident.
In it for the Long Haul & Avoiding Heartache
Long-term relationships
are also on the rise, with nearly nine-out-of-10 drivers planning to keep their vehicles as long as possible. It's no
wonder, since more than three-quarters of drivers have experienced major life milestones, such as having a baby, getting a
new job, or acquiring a new pet, while owning their current vehicles. In fact, for some, vehicles outlast significant others
-- one-in-10 drivers say that his/her current vehicle has been with him/her through a break-up with a significant other or
spouse.
Drivers' passion for keeping their ride alive has become a national trend, and today, odometers are
sporting hundreds of thousands of miles, with more than a quarter of drivers aspiring to clock 250,000 miles or more before
moving on(2). Drivers who are passionate about standing by their ride for the many miles ahead can confess their love and
share their stories with the Jiffy Lube Facebook community, "Keeping My Ride Alive." Visitors can cruise the site
to browse photos and stories from other enthusiastic drivers, or share their own photos and stories. No matter what the relationship
status, every driver is welcome to join the community by "liking" the page and uploading their vehicle's image
and story. Visit www.Facebook.com/KeepingMyRideAlive to share a story and read about others.
Survey Methodology
The Jiffy Lube International survey was conducted via telephone interviews during the period of January 13-16, 2011. The
survey included a national probability sample of 1,006 adults comprising 502 men and 504 women 18 years of age or older living
in the Continental United States. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.
About Jiffy Lube®
Jiffy Lube International Inc. ("Jiffy Lube"), with more than 2,000 franchised service centers in North America,
serves approximately 24 million customers each year. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing
the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. Headquartered
in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. Visit www.JiffyLube.com to learn more
about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.
(1) Compared to survey conducted by Jiffy Lube International in 2007.
(2)
According to a 2010 Jiffy Lube International survey.
SOURCE Jiffy Lube International
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