Women Influence Four Out of Every Five Car Purchases in US

According to a study identifying women's influence in the automotive industry, women influence four out of every five car purchases (up to 80 percent) in the U.S. and that over $200 billion per year is spent by women on their cars and automotive services.

The survey finds that nearly two-thirds of Canadian women know the correct tire pressure for their vehicles and as many as 43 percent of Canadian women felt that they receive worse service than men for car repairs, while more than 40 percent also believed they are charged more, reveals a survey by Kanetix.com. Learning simple maintenance steps, such as do-it-yourself oil changes, can save drivers between $30 and $60 every few months, it says.

A whopping 92 percent of male drivers knew the proper average tire pressure, compared to 63 percent of females. Nearly 12 percent of the Irish women admit they never check their car's oil level.

"As women's increasing role in the automotive industry continues to grow - from professional drivers entertain racing circuits across the world stage, to everyday women knowing the ins-and-outs of their cars - what used to be very much a boys' road has finally become a two-lane," the study said.

The Kanetix infographic says that maintaining appropriate tire pressure can make a big difference in fuel economy and properly inflated tires can save hundreds of dollars per year in gas. "Everyone can save money by learning some basic maintenance steps, such as do-it-yourself oil changes and using online insurance comparisons," it explains.