Research of 1,000 UK drivers conducted on behalf of Mobil 1 has revealed that one in five (19.4%) admitted they were only prompted to check their engine oil when an instrument panel warning sign was activated. By the time this comes on, the oil pressure in your engine may have dropped meaning either there isn't enough oil in the system or the oil pump isn't circulating enough lubricant to keep the critical surfaces lubricated.

When it eventually comes to checking oil levels, over half of those questioned (51.6%) said that they leave this important task to others, for example a petrol station attendant, relative or friend.

Another two thirds of respondents (60.2%) stated that they only had their oil changed once a year at most, with nearly one in ten people (8.6%) saying their engine oil hadn’t been changed in over two years.

An explanation for this may be that a worrying 45.7% of respondents were unaware of their vehicle manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals.

‘People inspect their house smoke alarm and their tyre treads and pressures on a regular basis because these are safety issues,’ said Dan McGoldrick, field marketing UK, Nordic and Benelux for ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, makers of Mobil 1.

‘We believe everyone should now add an engine oil check to that list. It takes just a few minutes and can have a major impact on the cost-effective and smooth running of your vehicle, prolonging its life. By the time the warning light is illuminated on the dashboard, it’s possible that lasting damage has already been done to your engine. It’s also vital to have your engine’s lubricant changed in line with manufacturer recommendations.'