Today, Lyft is announcing a brand new suite of services to make maintaining and using a car as simple and intuitive as booking a ride. Features of the new offering include 24/7 roadside assistance, nationwide car maintenance at participating Goodyear Auto Service centers so you can find reliable technicians and schedule appointments, and parking via our partnership with SpotHero, so you never struggle to find parking again.

Accompanying the launch, we are sharing what we’ve uncovered in connection with consumer behaviors surrounding car ownership and the maintenance and hassles that come with it. In a report titled “Stuck in Neutral: Car Maintenance Procrastination & Roadside Frustration,” we surveyed 1,000 car owners to capture how people across generations are taking care of their cars, opinions around car maintenance, the hassle and tediousness of the process, and the desire for a simplified solution, whether you need a tune up, a parking spot, or roadside assistance. 

Key Findings

Procrastination Nation

Americans may love their cars, but they don’t love taking care of them. A majority of car owners (87%) admit to procrastinating or putting off standard maintenance, such as tune ups or oil changes with their primary vehicle. In fact, more than half (51%) of Millennials, the largest generation, are leading the way in kicking car maintenance down the road, saying they delay always or often.

For the younger generations, car maintenance is seen as an ‘adulting’ annoyance. Gen Z are far more likely than Americans overall (55%) to say they put off standard maintenance “at least sometimes.” 

Who You Gonna Call?

One would think a mechanic is the first call to make when you are having car troubles, but younger generations are forgoing traditional methods of support. In fact, they are more likely to reach out to those close to them when their car’s on the fritz. While nearly half of Gen Z (49%) say they’ve contacted a mechanic when they’ve had car trouble, the more popular options are reaching out to parents and friends. And with this new service, they won’t even need to dial a phone number to get on demand support, much less call mom and dad.

And, that’s not the only thing Gen Zers rely on their parents for. Of the 45% of Gen Z car owners that are members of a roadside assistance program, almost half are still on their parents plan. We’re here to offer them some independence!

SOS

Have you ever been stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car waiting for help to arrive? Sounds like a scene from a horror movie. Seven in ten car owners say they have been stranded due to car issues, including 79% of Millennials. A third (33%) of car owners say they have been stranded more than once. 

And help being ‘on the way’ often means hurry up and wait. 45% of car owners have had to wait at least two hours for help to come, so now you can actually track the tow truck in the Lyft app, so you know when it will arrive. 

Parking Peeve

Car owners are also tired of the stress and frustration of parking at events. A third (33%) say they typically spend 10 minutes or more searching for parking at an event, reporting a frustrating average of 15 minutes.

A prolonged pursuit of a parking space can quickly dampen the vibe of your night. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) agree the frustration can ruin an event or experience before they get there. And the frustration definitely hits home for Millennials (79%) and parents (77%).

Lyft’s Solution

With the rollout of Lyft’s one-stop-shop for car owners the new Lyft Pink membership now offers member-exclusive benefits across your transportation needs. Members get up to 4 included roadside assistance events per year, including towing, tire changes and more, as well as 15% off nationwide car maintenance services at participating Goodyear Auto Service locations. 

From rideshares to scooters to bikes and car rentals, the Lyft app has all modes of transportation. And now, we’re looking to make car maintenance as easy as requesting a ride. People will still have car troubles, but in the palm of your hand you'll also have access to towing services*, auto repair appointments, parking reservations, and of course Lyft rideshare. Now that is a one-stop-shop.

*national coverage (excluding Nevada)