CARFAX: Millions of Cars Are Alarmingly Behind on Maintenance
CARFAX reports alarming maintenance delays in US vehicles, with approximately 20% behind on oil changes and 30% on tire rotations, affecting over 30 million vehicles total. The company warns about the risks of neglected maintenance, especially during holiday travel season. Low or dirty oil can lead to engine failure, while skipped tire rotations may cause uneven wear and increased risk of flats or blowouts. The report also emphasizes the importance of winter-specific maintenance, including checking wiper blades, batteries, cooling systems, and considering winter tires for safer holiday travel.
CARFAX segnala preoccupanti ritardi nella manutenzione dei veicoli negli Stati Uniti, con circa il 20% in ritardo per i cambi d'olio e il 30% per le rotazioni delle gomme, influenzando oltre 30 milioni di veicoli in totale. L'azienda avverte sui rischi della manutenzione trascurata, specialmente durante la stagione dei viaggi natalizi. Un olio basso o sporco può portare a guasti al motore, mentre la mancanza di rotazioni delle gomme può causare usura irregolare e un aumento del rischio di forature o scoppiettii. Il rapporto sottolinea anche l'importanza della manutenzione specifica per l'inverno, compreso il controllo dei tergicristalli, delle batterie, dei sistemi di raffreddamento e la considerazione di pneumatici invernali per viaggi più sicuri durante le festività.
CARFAX informa sobre alarmantes retrasos en el mantenimiento de los vehículos en EE. UU., con aproximadamente el 20% de ellos atrasados en cambios de aceite y el 30% en rotaciones de neumáticos, lo que afecta a más de 30 millones de vehículos en total. La compañía advierte sobre los riesgos de un mantenimiento descuidado, especialmente durante la temporada de viajes navideños. El aceite sucio o bajo puede llevar a fallas del motor, mientras que las rotaciones de neumáticos omitidas pueden causar desgaste irregular y aumentar el riesgo de pinchazos o reventones. El informe también enfatiza la importancia del mantenimiento específico para el invierno, que incluye revisar las escobillas del limpiaparabrisas, las baterías, los sistemas de refrigeración y considerar neumáticos de invierno para un viaje más seguro durante las fiestas.
CARFAX는 미국 차량의 유지 보수 지연이 심각하다고 보고하고 있습니다. 약 20%의 차량이 엔진 오일 교환이 늦어지고 있으며 30%는 타이어 회전이 늦어졌으며, 총 3천만 대 이상의 차량이 영향을 받고 있습니다. 이 회사는 특히 연휴 여행 시즌 동안 유지보수를 소홀히 할 경우의 위험에 대해 경고합니다. 오일이 부족하거나 더럽다면 엔진 고장을 유발할 수 있습니다, 또한 타이어 회전을 생략하면 고르지 않은 마모가 발생하고 펑크나 폭발의 위험이 증가할 수 있습니다. 보고서는 또한 겨울철에 맞는 유지보수의 중요성을 강조하며, 여기에는 와이퍼 블레이드, 배터리, 냉각 시스템 점검과 더불어 안전한 연휴 여행을 위해 겨울용 타이어를 고려하는 것이 포함됩니다.
CARFAX signale des retards de maintenance préoccupants sur les véhicules aux États-Unis, avec environ 20 % en retard pour les changements d'huile et 30 % pour les rotations de pneus, touchant plus de 30 millions de véhicules au total. L'entreprise alerte sur les risques d'une maintenance négligée, surtout pendant la saison des voyages de Noël. Un huile sale ou insuffisante peut mener à des pannes moteur, tandis que des rotations de pneus omises peuvent entraîner une usure inégale et un risque accru de crevaisons ou d'éclatements. Le rapport souligne également l'importance d'une maintenance spécifique pour l'hiver, y compris la vérification des balais d'essuie-glace, des batteries, des systèmes de refroidissement, et envisageant les pneus d'hiver pour un voyage plus sûr pendant les fêtes.
CARFAX berichtet über alarmierende Wartungsverzögerungen bei Fahrzeugen in den USA, wobei etwa 20% bei Ölwechseln und 30% bei Reifenrotationen im Rückstand sind. Dies betrifft insgesamt über 30 Millionen Fahrzeuge. Das Unternehmen warnt vor den Risiken vernachlässigter Wartung, insbesondere während der Reisewoche. Schmutziges oder niedriges Öl kann zu einem Motorversagen führen, während ausgelassene Reifenrotationen ungleichmäßigen Verschleiß und ein erhöhtes Risiko von Plattfüßen oder Reifenexplosionen verursachen können. Der Bericht hebt auch die Bedeutung der winter spezifischen Wartung hervor, die das Überprüfen von Scheibenwischern, Batterien, Kühlsystemen und die Überlegung, Winterreifen für eine sicherere Reise während der Feiertage zu verwenden, umfasst.
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Insights
This news from CARFAX, while providing valuable consumer information about vehicle maintenance, has minimal direct impact on S&P Global (SPGI) stock or business operations. While CARFAX is a subsidiary of S&P Global, this type of routine consumer advisory represents standard operational communication rather than material business news. The maintenance statistics, though interesting, don't indicate any significant revenue impact or business development that would affect SPGI's market performance or valuation.
The content focuses on seasonal consumer education and safety tips, which falls under normal business activities rather than market-moving news that would influence investor decisions or company valuation.
Drivers Should Make Sure Their Vehicles Are Ready for Holiday Travel
Neglecting maintenance can be costly and dangerous. Low or dirty oil can cause engine failure, leading to expensive repairs. Skipping tire rotations can cause uneven wear which can reduce traction and increases the risk of flats or blowouts, which could leave families stranded by the side of the road.
"Well-maintained vehicles last longer, cost owners less over time, and are worth more when it's time to sell them," said Paul Nadjarian, General Manager of CARFAX Car Care. "Our free Car Care program helps vehicle owners stay on top of their maintenance schedule with helpful reminders."
Other Important Maintenance to check before you travel:
- Check Your Wiper Blades: If the rubber has cracked, your car's wipers may leave streaks. This will hurt visibility, creating a safety hazard. Wipe them down or install new blades. Wiper blades should generally be switched every six months.
- Consider Winter Tires: Cold weather can cause the rubber in standard tires to harden, impacting traction. Winter tires have special rubber compounds and tread patterns crafted to provide optimum grip on slick roads.
- Check Your Battery: Cold weather reduces battery power and could cause your battery to fail. If a mechanic says your battery's weak, get a new one.
- Check Your Cooling System: It may seem counter-intuitive given that it's cold outside, but rubber components in the radiator and heater can crack and leak over time. Replace hoses that show signs of damage or wear.
- Check Your Wiper Fluid Level: Make sure there's enough wiper fluid in your car's reservoir. Also, choose a wiper fluid with antifreeze in it. This will work better during cold weather. This is important since slush from the road can be kicked up onto your windshield and dry there, limiting visibility. It's also smart to carry an extra gallon around in your car.
- Pack a Winter Survival Kit: If your car breaks down, ensure you have what you'll need to survive. The kit should include water, a blanket, an ice scraper, food, road flares, a fully powered phone charger, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.
Safely Pack Your Car
It's important to know how to safely pack your car for an extended trip:
- Make sure everything is packed securely: In the event of a collision, those objects can become missiles – and inflict a lot of damage.
- Don't overcrowd your car: Make sure every person has their own seat belt. And ensure that any pets along for the ride are likewise secured.
- One thing many travelers forget: Make sure you're not carrying more weight than the automaker recommends. Excessive weight can hurt your car's stability and put too much pressure on your tires.
Editor's note: Interviews with a Carfax expert are available anytime. Please contact Em Nguyen at emnguyen@carfax.com.
About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX®.
S&P Global Mobility is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets.
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SOURCE CARFAX
FAQ
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