A new UK motoring survey has shown that many motorists risk incurring additional repair bills and increased running costs by not checking their oil regularly or using the wrong type.

According to the survey, only 34 per cent of motorists regularly check their engine oil level, and of those, 83 per cent found that their vehicles had insufficient oil. Insufficient oil and the resulting lack of lubrication is the main reason for premature engine component wear and tear. The survey also found that 11 per cent of motorists had no idea which grade of engine oil they should use or where to find the correct information.

Engine oil is the lifeblood of the engine. It plays a crucial role in the performance of modern vehicles, the quantity of oil affects the oil's ability to properly lubricate, cool and clean the engine, while the performance specification of the oil can affect wear, service intervals, vehicle emissions, diesel particulate filters, fuel economy and even vehicle warranty.

Here are useful tips to help you reduce your risk and motoring costs:

• Always keep one litre of the correct oil in the boot to top up your car. Many service garages and dealers can supply a Top Up Kit specifically for this purpose.
• If you are in doubt about which quality of oil you should be using, ask your servicing garage or dealer.
• Do not wait for the oil warning light to appear.
• Make checking oil levels, windscreen fluid, lights and tyres part of your car cleaning routine.
• When choosing an oil, look for either a specific vehicle manufacturer's specification on the bottle label or ensure that either the ACEA or API specification on the bottle label matches that found in your vehicle handbook.

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