M.O.M. Knows Best (Motor Oil Matters)

* According to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, nearly 9 out of 10 female motorists are involved in their household’s vehicle maintenance and repair

* According to a national survey that polled 522 women, 46 percent incorrectly assumed simply switching from conventional engine oil to synthetic oil enables the number of miles between oil changes to be safely extended

* Using a quality motor oil in the right grade can help maximize fuel economy, and help save money by preventing costly engine damage

*Off-brand, no-name or discount oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer´s requirements could cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle´s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer´s warranty

* Jiffy Lube Survey Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, 2006

Did I know? Probably not. I admit to being pretty naive when it comes to matters of car maintenance.

True story: During our first year of marriage, I had to pick CandyMan up from work one afternoon and I stubbornly decided to wait until after I picked him up to fill the car up with gas. I hadn’t gotten two blocks before we were stopped by a traffic light. And the car didn’t start again. I was completely out of gas.

Luckily my new husband was easy on me (mystified, maybe, but kind) and we were only 5 minutes away from my Grandparents’ house, where we lived in the basement. Grandpa rescued us with the spare gas can he kept in the back of his truck.

Why did I let the car run out of gas? Simple. I was terrified of putting gas in the car. I had never done it before. I was married and had never filled a gas tank. When I was learning to drive, I lived in Portland, Oregon, where it was illegal to pump your own gas. I comfortably drove up to the gas station, handed the attendant my money while I stayed buckled up in my seat, and watched him fill up the tank.

When I went off to college, I walked or bummed rides off friends (or dated guys with cars). I didn’t have a car until I got married. And I conveniently let my cute husband fill it with gas. Every time.

Running out of gas cured me of my gas-pumping phobia, but I don’t know if I have ever felt fully comfortable with car dealings.

Luckily, places like Jiffy Lube make it easy on everyone–even people like me–to maintain a well-running and healthy vehicle. MyBlogSpark pointed me to MotorOilMatters, where there was a wealth of information on oil, oil changes, and car maintenance. I even took their 7 question M.O.M. (Motor Oil Matters) Game. I scored better than I was expecting (maybe I’ve picked up a thing or two during the last 15 years?).

Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org (through MyBlogSpark) provided me with a $35 gift card to JiffyLube and a second $35 gift card to Jiffy Lube for one of my readers. Who needs an oil change? (ME! ME!). Really, this couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Over the weekend, we made the decision to drive down to Florida to stay at my in laws’ house for Christmas. I will sit more comfortably knowing that our van is prepared for the 18 hour drive.

How would you like to win a Jiffy Lube gift card? All you have to do to enter to win this gift card is to visit MotorOilMatters.org and play the M.O.M. (Motor Oil Matters) Game and come back to tell me how you scored.

* For extra entries, you are welcome to tweet about this giveaway (please include link to your comment), stumble this post, follow me or subscribe, or add me to your blog roll. If I’m already on your blog roll or if you have my button on your blog, then I’d love it if you could update your info to my new url. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

This giveaway will run through Sunday, December 6, at midnight EST and a winner will be chosen at random shortly thereafter. If your email is not accessible through your blogger profile, please leave your email with your first entry so that I can contact you if you’re the winner. Good luck!

Shell Lubricants and MotorOilMatters.org provided me with a gift card and MyBlogSpark provided me with information and this opportunity. Embarrassing stories are 100% mine.