America's Mechanics Drop Airbags to Third-Best Safety Feature in Annual Poll
18 August 1997
America's Mechanics Drop Airbags to Third-Best Safety Feature in Annual Poll
LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 18 -- The best auto mechanics in the
country deflated the safety value of airbags in a national poll released
today.
Only 16 percent of mechanics who participated in the fifth annual
Valvoline/ASE Poll of the American Mechanic ranked airbags as the best safety
feature in today's automobiles. Seat belts ranked No.1 with 57 percent of the
vote, followed by anti-lock brakes, which replaced air bags as the second
choice with 23 percent. Air bags placed third with 16 percent, 7 percentage
points less than its total in last year's poll.
Despite the dip in popularity, most mechanics said it is a poor idea to
let motorists -- or their automotive technicians -- disable airbags already
installed in vehicles.
"Safety in the auto industry is a big issue. These master technicians are
the best in the business, and their views are important to everyone who
drives," said Ron Weiner, president of the National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence (ASE). "Their perceptions come directly from working every
day with automobiles and automobile owners."
Results of the poll, conducted by The Valvoline Company in conjunction
with ASE, revealed master technicians' views of future automotive technology,
safety, service and repair, maintenance, computer technology, auto racing and
many other topics.
In rating technology that needs to be further developed, 37 percent of
mechanics ranked low-emission vehicles first, followed by in-car computerized
navigation systems and electric cars, which both received 19 percent.
Almost 75 percent of mechanics responded that it is somewhat or very
important to get a second opinion regarding auto repairs. However, 65 percent
said that less than 10 percent of their customers seek another mechanic's
opinion. More than half said they are not willing to let another automotive
technician work on their own vehicles.
Personal safety outweighs concern for the environment, mechanics said.
Eighty percent said annual inspections of an auto's lights, tires, turn
signals and other safety features are very necessary, compared with 43 percent
who think emissions should be tested each year.
Master technicians said they highly regard their work, but described
themselves in a variety of ways. In picking only one description, 43 percent
said they make quick and accurate diagnoses like a doctor, followed by
35 percent who said they are honest and trustworthy like a Boy Scout. Eight
percent said they are polite, friendly and efficient like a waiter, while
7 percent said they provide help and guidance to people in need like a police
officer.
"ASE master technicians offer insights into the auto industry like no
other group. They are on the front lines every day and have a perspective we
should all listen to," Valvoline Vice President of Marketing Steve Kirchner
said.
Other findings in the poll include:
Automotive Maintenance Issues
-- Considering today's lower-maintenance cars, 41 percent of respondents
believe the single most important maintenance task that motorists
regularly fail to perform is regular oil changes. Rotating tires was a
distant second with 16 percent.
-- More than 75 percent of the mechanics said they disagree that extended
motor oil drain intervals of 5,000 to 7,000 miles are a good idea.
Professionalism and Professional Development
-- More than 60 percent received more than 21 hours of job-related
training in the past year. More than 90 percent said they would like
more training in the future.
-- Forty-four percent of the respondents said they became mechanics
because they really liked automobiles. Twenty-three percent said the
opportunity was there and they took it, while 21 percent said they had
friends or relatives in the field who influenced them.
Automotive Service and Repair Issues
-- Almost one-third of mechanics report that mid-size cars appear in their
shops for repairs most frequently, followed by luxury or full-size cars
(16 percent) and full-size trucks (14 percent).
-- More than 80 percent of the technicians listen to the radio while
working. Country music is the most popular format (42 percent),
followed by soft rock (22 percent).
-- Almost 40 percent of the respondents have access to the Internet at
work and 63 percent use it for diagnostic information.
Auto Racing
-- NASCAR is the favored racing circuit (44 percent), followed by drag
racing (28 percent). PPG CART and IRL Indy cars finished third in this
race (7 percent).
-- Sixty-three percent said a race driver's crew is more important in
terms of winning a race, as opposed to the driver (15 percent).
Twenty-one percent said both are equal.
Celebrity Questions
-- On the celebrity front, mechanics gave brunette actress Sandra Bullock
the nod over blond bombshell Jenny McCarthy. Thirty-four percent said
they would prefer offering Bullock a free oil change, while only
12 percent ranked McCarthy as their top choice. Finishing behind the
two actresses were Gillian Anderson (9 percent), Tyra Banks (4 percent)
and Halle Berry (2 percent).
-- In ranking political figures who would make the best mechanic based on
an ability to get the job done, Colin Powell won in a landslide with
55 percent of the vote, followed by Rush Limbaugh (16 percent).
President Clinton didn't get much support, garnering just 11 percent of
the vote. Republican Newt Gingrich received 7 percent and Madeline
Albright garnered 2 percent.
-- Recent Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Lasorda, former manager of
the Los Angeles Dodgers, would make the best mechanic based on his
ability to fix problems on the field, according to 38 percent of the
mechanics. Current managers Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals
and Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves tied for second with 14 percent.
Former manager Whitey Herzog was next with 7 percent and Joe Torre --
manager of the reigning World Champion New York Yankees -- finished
last with 5 percent.
Fleishman-Hillard Research of St. Louis completed the telephone survey in
July, interviewing a national sample of 200 ASE master technicians. Sample
error is plus or minus 4 to plus 7 percentage points.
ASE, established in 1972, offers a nationwide testing and certification
program for automobile, truck and collision repair techniques, engine
machinist technicians, and parts specialists, twice a year. Master
technicians are those who pass eight of ASE's automotive tests -- engine
repair, automatic transmission, manual drive, suspension and steering, heating
and air conditioning, electrical systems, brakes and engine performance.
Valvoline motor oil is the No. 1 choice of top mechanics for use in their
own vehicles. The Valvoline Co., a division of Ashland Inc., has been serving
American motorists longer than any motor oil company and is a leading
innovator and supplier of quality, high-performing automotive and industrial
products in more than 100 countries. Best known for its lubricants, Valvoline
also markets Zerex antifreeze/coolant and Pyroil automotive chemicals and
refrigerants.
SOURCE Valvoline Co.
