New survey exhibits how folks spend ‘me time’ with their automobiles

Your automotive could also be your sanctuary the place you get to spend a few of your most treasured “me time,” however the way you select to spend it differs considerably by era, in keeping with a latest examine.

In the survey of two,000 American automotive homeowners, drivers reported doing every thing from planning their futures, bopping to music, and taking naps of their automotive havens.

The analysis discovered that millennials are doing probably the most self-improvement of their automotive time.

They’re extra possible than different generations to consider life and plan their futures (44%) and to hearken to podcasts (39%) whereas driving.

Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Ziebart, the examine revealed that Gen X drivers are probably the most upbeat whereas on the street, as they’re the most definitely of all age teams to hearken to music (89%) and lots of give themselves little pep talks whereas en path to work or large occasions (18%).

Meanwhile, Gen Z drivers see their automobiles as secure havens to relax for some relaxation and rest. They reported having fun with easy silence (55%), processing lengthy workdays (43%) and taking naps of their automobiles (25%), greater than older generations, who get pleasure from extra uplifting actions.

But no matter age, there’s one factor most drivers have in widespread, and it’s that the time they spend of their automobiles is so invaluable that they need to be certain it lasts.

When requested in regards to the age of their automobiles and their automotive care habits, on common, automotive homeowners reported that their automobiles are 9 years outdated.

Respondents additionally stated they’d like their automobiles to final one other 4 years, on common, and consider that will probably be one other three years, on common, earlier than they will afford a brand new experience with out it being a major monetary pressure.

In gentle of this, most respondents whose automobiles are a number of years outdated stated that though their automobiles aren’t model new, they love to do every thing attainable to make them really feel new (79%).

“Since Ziebart is in the car business, we were curious to learn more about what our customers do in their cars,” stated Thomas A. Wolfe, president and chief govt officer of Ziebart International Corporation. “It’s clear to us that for many drivers, vehicles are more than a mode of transportation — they serve a variety of personal purposes, which explains why so many people go above and beyond to protect them inside and out.”

In order to elongate their automotive’s life expectancy, virtually half of automotive homeowners (46%) have taken their automotive care up a notch during the last 12 months.

Practically, this seems to be like doing inside (57%) and exterior (51%) cleansing, checking tire stress and tread depth (43%), and oil ranges (43%) extra usually.

A 3rd (33%) are additionally taking their rides in for check-ups and tune-ups extra steadily.

Along with mechanics, many are cognizant of their automotive’s exterior. Over 1 / 4 of automotive homeowners (26%) are fearful about rust, and 23% stated paint deterioration is considered one of their prime considerations.

More than a fifth (22%) are anxious that their automobiles’ undercarriage can be broken, and a great quantity (17%) are taking note of inside leather-based and material deterioration as their automobiles age.

“While it’s easy to remember to keep up with mechanical maintenance, many people don’t realize that things like rust, chipping paint, undercarriage damage, and fabric or leather interior deterioration can affect the car’s lifespan,” stated Nick Lambie, a Ziebart franchise proprietor.

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American automotive homeowners; the survey was commissioned by Ziebart and administered and performed on-line by Talker Research between June 6 and June 12, 2025.