In a survey of 5,000 people across five Asian countries China, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Vietnam Shell discovered that nine out of ten Asian drivers are aware that a high-quality motor oil can help improve their vehicles fuel efficiency. China (98%) was the highest, while Singapore (70%) was the lowest.
While findings vary by country, the numbers also showed that 87% of all those surveyed knew the importance of choosing the right type of motor oil suitable for their respective vehicles. Eight in ten chose their brand or type of motor oil according to the recommendations of their mechanic or vehicle manufacturer. In India, 66% followed their vehicle manufacturers recommendation while in Singapore, 53% followed their mechanics recommendation.
A majority of drivers surveyed (six out of ten) also said that they leave the task of changing their oil to professional mechanics at private or original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-approved workshops. Vietnamese drivers are more likely to have their oil changed at a private workshop (47%) than at OEM workshops (23%).
Interestingly, six out of ten drivers said they were not aware of the difference between synthetic and conventional mineral motor oils. In particular, a greater proportion (70%) of drivers in Pakistan and Vietnam said they did not know the difference between these two types of motor oils. With advancing engine technology, more and more vehicle manufacturers are recommending fully synthetic motor oils over conventional motor oils.
Its great to see that most drivers in Asia are already aware of the importance of choosing a high quality motor oil for their vehicles. We believe that they can get even more from their motor oils. In particular, we believe synthetic motor oils can play a role, as they can help provide better engine protection and thereby, improve fuel economy. This is why Shell developed Shell PurePlus Technology. Our Shell Helix Ultra and Shell Advance Ultra ranges are underpinned by this advanced synthetic technology, offering motorists the latest and most innovative motor oil solutions today, said Goh Swee Chen, Vice President, Shell Lubricants Asia Pacific.
Shell was the first to market motor oils made from natural gas. Shell PurePlus Technology is a patented gas-to-liquids (GTL) process,developed over 40 years of research, which converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil. These base oils are produced at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar, a partnership between Shell and Qatar Petroleum. From here, the base oil is shipped to Shell storage hubs (Hamburg, Hong Kong, Houston, Jebel Ali) and then transported to a network of 50 Shell lubricant blending plants around the world.
NOTES:
The survey was conducted from December 2014 to January 2015 by an independent research firm and targeted 1,000 drivers of both cars and motorcycles in each of the five countries (China, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Vietnam), aged 18-40, living in both urban and suburban areas. The study aimed to find out Asian drivers knowledge relating to their vehicles motor oil. The 5,000 respondents, spread out across the five countries were also asked about their oil changing practices.
In China, 98% of motorists recognise the positive impact of a high-quality motor oil to their vehicles fuel efficiency, the same number (98%) also know the importance of choosing the right type of lubricant for their vehicles. 52% said they did not know the difference between synthetic and mineral motor oil. 54% have their oil changed by a professional mechanic, either at an OEM-approved or private workshop. 44% choose their motor oil according to the vehicle manufacturer, as compared to 31%, who follow their mechanics recommendations.
In India, 85% of motorists recognise the positive impact of a high-quality motor oil to their vehicles fuel efficiency, while 83% knew the importance of choosing the right type of lubricant for their vehicles. 51% said they did not know the difference between synthetic and mineral motor oil. 66% have their oil changed by a professional mechanic, either at an OEM-approved or private workshop. 66% choose their motor oil according to the vehicle manufacturer, as compared to 23%, who follow their mechanics recommendations.
In Pakistan, 90% of motorists recognise the positive impact of a high-quality motor oil to their vehicles fuel efficiency, while 92% knew the importance of choosing the right type of lubricant for their vehicles. 70% said they did not know the difference between synthetic and mineral motor oil. 58% have their oil changed by a professional mechanic, either at an OEM-approved or private workshop. 54% choose their motor oil
by following mechanics recommendations, as compared to 21%, who follow their vehicle manufacturers recommendations.
In Singapore, 70% of motorists recognise the positive impact of a high-quality motor oil to their vehicles fuel efficiency, while 73% knew the importance of choosing the right type of lubricant for their vehicles. 67% said they did not know the difference between synthetic and mineral motor oil. 71% have their oil changed by a professional mechanic, either at an OEM-approved or private workshop. 53% choose their motor oil by following mechanics recommendations, as compared to 32%, who follow their vehicle manufacturers recommendations.
In Vietnam, 89% of motorists recognise the positive impact of a high-quality motor oil to their vehicles fuel efficiency, as well as the importance of choosing the right type of lubricant for their vehicles. 71% said they did not know the difference between synthetic and mineral motor oil. 70% have their oil changed by a professional mechanic, either at an OEM-approved or private workshop. 56% choose their motor oil according to the vehicle manufacturer, as compared to 32%, who follow their mechanics recommendations.
