In April 2015 AUTOSTAT analytic agency surveyed Russian motorists to determine consumer preferences and habits of Russian car owners in choosing and changing their engine oil. The survey was conducted in collaboration with Blamper.ru, an online service for troubleshooting repairs and operation of cars, polling more than 2,000 respondents from all over Russia. On May 13 AUTOSTAT announced the results in a report titled, “Preferences of the Car Owners in Motor Oil Selection. Top-20 Popular Brands.”

Most respondents (76.6%) said they know what motor oil was in the engines of their cars, but one in five (23.4%) did not know. Most of the respondents (74.2%) said they follow the automaker's instructions and comply with the automaker's recommended oil drain intervals.

According to the survey, more than half of Russian car owners (52.4%), choose a motor oil primarily guided by the recommendations of the automaker. A significant role is also played by previous personal experience of using oil - a fact noted 42.8% of respondents. To a lesser degree of influence on the choice of recommendations by auto-service employees (19.7%), articles of automotive magazines (17.5%), recommendations from friends and relatives (15.6%) of car owners in the opinion forums (14.1%). Least of all vehicle owners listen to the recommendations of the salesman in retail stores (9.1%). (In the course of answering the question, more than one answer could be chosen.)

More than half of car owners (52.4%) acquired motor oil in an auto parts store. Far fewer of those have their oil replaced at an authorized dealer during other maintenance services (19.6%). The share of those who buy from independent service stations are even fewer (13.4%). Approximately 5% of the respondents answered that they make a purchase through the Internet, 4.1% in supermarkets and 3.2% at the gas station. In addition, 2.4% indicated that they use some other ways to buy.

Thirty four percent of the respondents said they change their own motor oil, typically at a friend's garage. Thirty two percent said they seek the services of an independent service station or maintenance shop. Almost one in five respondents (19.5%) seek the services of an auto dealership. Quick lube or express oil change stations are preferred by 8%. Another 6.2% of the respondents chose to have their oil changed by a friend who is a mechanic.

According to the survey, the market leader in motor oil at the Russian car owners today is ExxonMobil's Mobil - 1st place in the ranking (2346 points). In second place - Castrol (1803 points), third - Shell (1512 points). The top five also includes the Germany's LIQUI MOLY (998 points) and France's Motul (600 points). The top 10, in addition to the above, also included: Russia's Lukoil, ExxonMobil's Esso brand, Total's ELF, SK Lubricant's ZIC and Total.