New study reveals 7 out of 10 drivers perceive their vehicles run better after an oil change.*

HOUSTON, January 2007--If you feel your car runs better after an oil change, you’re not alone.

Pennzoil has heard drivers say for years that they perceived their vehicles to run better after an oil change, so last year it decided to look into the situation a little more scientifically.

Pennzoil commissioned Harris Interactive, a leading independent market research firm, to survey more than 300 drivers in three major cities (Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle) before and after an oil change involving oil of the same type and viscosity. All the conventional oil users had their oil changed with Pennzoil® Conventional oil. All the full synthetic oil users had their oil changed with Pennzoil Platinum® motor oil. 

The study was conducted blind. At no time did the participants know what brand of motor oil was going into their vehicles. In addition, the survey was done online with no interviewer, so that participants felt more comfortable giving candid feedback. Although Pennzoil products were used in the oil changes, the study was neither intended nor designed to compare different brands of motor oil.

To ensure they were familiar enough with their vehicles’ performance to comment, only those who were the sole or co-equal decision maker on their vehicle’s upkeep were accepted into the study. Their vehicle had to be in good operating condition and one they drove four or more times per week.

After the oil change, the participants were asked a series of questions online to determine the exact nature of any change(s) they perceived:

         – How the engine sounds when first started.
         – How well the vehicle drives.
         – How the car feels overall, etc.

So what were the results of the study?

Overall, 7 out of 10 participants perceived their vehicles as running better after an oil change.*

*Drivers surveyed after a Pennzoil oil change.