After the social and economic shifts in February 2022, many car owners started wondering whether it was time to tighten their belts and where to cut costs.
Savings on petrol and oil
A recent study by NAFI and the Danger-Free Movement research center shows that most drivers, about 65 percent, do not intend to cut back on gasoline supply. Instead, they prefer to refuel at smaller, lesser known stations even when money is tight.
The tendency is most pronounced among people over 35 years old (68 percent), women (66 percent compared with 61 percent of men), residents of the Southern and North Caucasus Federal Districts, and highly skilled professionals (71 percent). A smaller share, 35 percent, would consider using a private, non-network station if prices look especially attractive or if time is short; 14 percent are already customers of such outlets.
Among those who already refuel at non-network stations, the largest groups are drivers aged 18 to 24 (30 percent), workers (19 percent), and service staff (21 percent).
When it comes to car oils, 71 percent of drivers are not prepared to economize. The highest shares of reluctance come from residents of the Northwestern and Volga Federal Districts, each at 81 percent, and among drivers aged 45 to 54, at 76 percent.
Meanwhile, 29 percent are open to trying cheaper or unknown oil brands to save money, 20 percent expect to buy a cheaper product at the next oil change, and 9 percent have already poured unknown-brand oil into their engines.
People aged 25 to 34 (14 percent) and unemployed individuals (15 percent) show a greater willingness to save on oils.
Savings on repairs and maintenance
Seventy-four percent either already do or are planning to shift car servicing from an authorized dealer to a lower-cost option. Within this group, men show a higher propensity for cost-saving than women (54 percent vs. 35 percent).
Sixty-one percent of car owners are ready to cut back on spare parts. This is especially common among residents of the Southern Federal District and the North Caucasus Federal District (32 percent), drivers aged 35 to 44 (30 percent), and men (27 percent versus 17 percent among women).
The survey, conducted in May 2022, polled about 1,000 people from 53 regions who hold driver’s licenses and regularly operate a vehicle.
A picture: Depositphotos