As reported by Canadian Tire
TORONTO, - The majority of Canadians are having a love affair with their cars, according to a survey released today. The Angus Reid Public Opinion poll commissioned by Canadian Tire found that 63 per cent of Canadian drivers say their vehicle is like an extra appendage that they can't live without. Survey results also show that Canadians are spending considerable time in their cars as nearly half (46 per cent) spend four to nine hours behind the wheel and another 18 per cent spend between 10 to 15 hours each week. That time in the car does not seem to bother car owners though - almost 60 per cent say their car is their sanctuary.
Despite love, owners neglect car care
Despite feeling the love for their cars, however, results reveal that some owners are less devoted when it comes to caring for their vehicles. While the majority (79 per cent) of Canadians like to keep the exterior of their cars shiny and clean by washing them at least three or four times throughout the year, only half of drivers give their interiors the same TLC, despite admitting that they regularly eat and drink in their cars.
"With winter driving behind us and summer road trips on the horizon, it's time for Canadian car owners to show their cars some love by shifting into spring with the proper cleaning and maintenance," said Tony Kuczynski, Vice-President of Accessories, Tires & Auto Service for Canadian Tire. "Cars can become a breeding ground for germs, especially if there's frequent eating or pets in the car. Canadian Tire has the widest selection of products for cleaning and organizing cars, inside and out, helping owners make the most of their driving experience."
Winter tire removal, owners split on when is best
When it comes to winter tire removal, owners were split on the best time of year to do so. Nearly one third (30 per cent) of respondents remove them as soon as the snow melts, while 28 per cent wait until at least May, just to be safe.
Kuczynski suggests that car owners who are waiting until May might be causing unnecessary damage. "With experience installing and removing hundreds of thousands of winter tires every year, we recommend that in order to avoid excessive tire wear, winter tires should be changed when the temperature outside rises above 7 degrees celsius - which in most of Canada is between mid April and May. Winter tires left on too long in warm weather can accelerate wear and tear to the treads, which could impact grip on the road next winter."
Accessories spice up driving time
When asked what most spices up their relationship with their car, respondents put technology accessories at the top of the list. The top two choices were music players, such as MP3 players or satellite radio, and GPS devices. Interestingly enough, despite recent legislative changes in many provinces, Bluetooth gadgets were tied with floor mats as the third most popular accessory option.
Other Interesting Survey Findings:
- Pet Names: 14 per cent of car owners admit to naming their cars, with
"Baby" or "Mon Bebe" topping the list as most popular names
- DIY Approach: Canadian car owners are hands-on when it comes to
washing the exterior of their cars, whether doing it at home (40 per
cent) or at a drive-through (49 per cent). Only six per cent have
their cars professionally cleaned.
- Total Car Protection: 22 per cent of owners say they will not let
anyone eat or drink in their car at all, in order to keep it looking
great.
TORONTO, - The majority of Canadians are having a love affair with their cars, according to a survey released today. The Angus Reid Public Opinion poll commissioned by Canadian Tire found that 63 per cent of Canadian drivers say their vehicle is like an extra appendage that they can't live without. Survey results also show that Canadians are spending considerable time in their cars as nearly half (46 per cent) spend four to nine hours behind the wheel and another 18 per cent spend between 10 to 15 hours each week. That time in the car does not seem to bother car owners though - almost 60 per cent say their car is their sanctuary.
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| Photo: Jupiter Images |
Despite love, owners neglect car care
Despite feeling the love for their cars, however, results reveal that some owners are less devoted when it comes to caring for their vehicles. While the majority (79 per cent) of Canadians like to keep the exterior of their cars shiny and clean by washing them at least three or four times throughout the year, only half of drivers give their interiors the same TLC, despite admitting that they regularly eat and drink in their cars.
"With winter driving behind us and summer road trips on the horizon, it's time for Canadian car owners to show their cars some love by shifting into spring with the proper cleaning and maintenance," said Tony Kuczynski, Vice-President of Accessories, Tires & Auto Service for Canadian Tire. "Cars can become a breeding ground for germs, especially if there's frequent eating or pets in the car. Canadian Tire has the widest selection of products for cleaning and organizing cars, inside and out, helping owners make the most of their driving experience."
Winter tire removal, owners split on when is best
When it comes to winter tire removal, owners were split on the best time of year to do so. Nearly one third (30 per cent) of respondents remove them as soon as the snow melts, while 28 per cent wait until at least May, just to be safe.
Kuczynski suggests that car owners who are waiting until May might be causing unnecessary damage. "With experience installing and removing hundreds of thousands of winter tires every year, we recommend that in order to avoid excessive tire wear, winter tires should be changed when the temperature outside rises above 7 degrees celsius - which in most of Canada is between mid April and May. Winter tires left on too long in warm weather can accelerate wear and tear to the treads, which could impact grip on the road next winter."
Accessories spice up driving time
When asked what most spices up their relationship with their car, respondents put technology accessories at the top of the list. The top two choices were music players, such as MP3 players or satellite radio, and GPS devices. Interestingly enough, despite recent legislative changes in many provinces, Bluetooth gadgets were tied with floor mats as the third most popular accessory option.
Other Interesting Survey Findings:
- Pet Names: 14 per cent of car owners admit to naming their cars, with
"Baby" or "Mon Bebe" topping the list as most popular names
- DIY Approach: Canadian car owners are hands-on when it comes to
washing the exterior of their cars, whether doing it at home (40 per
cent) or at a drive-through (49 per cent). Only six per cent have
their cars professionally cleaned.
- Total Car Protection: 22 per cent of owners say they will not let
anyone eat or drink in their car at all, in order to keep it looking
great.