Ok we know that RAC do hundreds of thousands of call outs each year to stricken motorists right around the UK, so what could be so popular that 9000 of them were for the same reason. Well we are not talking about those common faults like a flat battery, or starting issues, we are talking about cars that have a serious oil issue.

According to the RAC 1 in 5 cars do not have enough oil in them, this prompted Tim form the Fifth gear programme to do some serious research on the subject by deliberately getting his proton to seize because he had drained it of oil, so we could know what to look out. Even with the entire racket, even with all the commotion, the RAC tells us than 25 cars everyday will end their life this way. Not through low oil but through insufficient oil that ruins the engine.

Now many believe the RAC breakdown cover is good, but unfortunately roadside assistance has not moved on to exchanging engine son the roadside, so unless you have a recovery policy, the rest of the day is going to be finding a towing service to get your car to the local garage, who will then quote you an arm and leg for a replacement engine.

Checking your oil is easy and a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing an engine and it may cut down those 9000 breakdown cover calls the RAC are forced to do with oil issues.
Here is the video clip from 5th gear on Tim’s Oil campaign.