AlliedSignal Press Release: Americans Drive Hard and Overlook Maintenance

08/23/96

Survey Shows Americans Hit the Road Hard and Often, But Fail to Think About
Their Car's Maintenance 31% Rarely Think About Their Car's Maintenance


RI Aug. 21 via Individual Inc. -- A new survey reveals
that a majority of Americans are driving under what experts call
"severe driving conditions," adding stress and wear to their cars. At
the same time, an alarming number (31 %) say they only think about
their car's maintenance when something is wrong or before long trips.

The FRAM DOUBLE GUARD FILTER Survey, commissioned by AlliedSignal,
makers of the FRAM DOUBLE GUARD oil filter, found that 57% of
Americans drive in stop-and-go traffic, and an overwhelming 80% start
their cars at least 3 times per day. Frequent starts, stop-and-go
urban traffic and many trips per day define what experts term "severe
driving conditions." A whopping 63% of those surveyed also reported
that their average daily trips are under 20 miles; 29% reported that
their average daily trips are less than 10 miles per day.

"Severe driving conditions significantly increase the wear and tear of
car and light-duty track engine parts," said David Cole, Director of
the Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation at the
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

"Unfortunately, people do not think about car maintenance
enough. Proper maintenance is really an investment, because you get
more from your car in return for what you put in it. It just makes
good economic sense."

AlliedSignal Automotive commissioned Bruskin/Goldring Research to
conduct the random omnitel phone survey of 1,000 Americans that took
place July 19-21, 1996. The company developed The FRAM DOUBLE GUARD
FILTER Survey to learn more about the car maintenance habits of
drivers, including oil change frequencies relative to severe driving
habits.

"The FRAM DOUBLE GUARD FILTER Survey results demonstrate the need for
more awareness of the importance of regular engine maintenance," said
John Ypma, vice president of marketing, AlliedSignal Automotive
Aftermarket. "This includes having your oil and filters changed
regularly and checking tire pressure, bulbs, fluids and brakes."

The All-Important Oil and Filter Change

The FRAM DOUBLE GUARD FILTER Survey found that 58% of the drivers
surveyed said they do not follow their owner's manuals. Cole added,
"More often than not, the owner's manual sits in the glove
compartment. It is critical that the owner read and follow the manual
for maintenance recommendations, for five reasons: safety; fuel
economy; pollution reduction; enhanced value of the car; and a reduced
chance of unwelcome surprises or breakdowns."

Published reports have questioned the frequency rate for oil
changes. Consumer Reports recently tested various motor oils in a
fleet of New York City taxicabs, and found that those engines require
less frequent oil changes. That study (admittedly) omitted the cold
start factor (starting a cold engine)., The taxicabs ran virtually
around-the-clock and did not experience the typical number of engine
starts that the average American driver has every day. The issue has
stirred up controversy and caveats among automotive experts.

"It is during a cold start, after your car has been turned off for a
couple of hours, that a substantial amount of engine wear occurs,"
said Cole, "You actually get metal touching metal, because of loss of
lubrication. You need a layer of lubrication to protect engine
parts. It's imperative that drivers who constantly operate their
vehicles under these conditions protect their engines by regularly
changing their oil and filter according to their owner's manual
recommendations."

The FRAM DOUBLE GUARD filter, introduced this year, is the only oil
filter on the market that offers the protection of an additive (DuPont
Teflon PTFE) built right in to help protect engine parts.

AlliedSignal Automotive Aftermarket is a leader in the North American
replacement parts market. Based in Rumford, Rhode Island, the unit
markets and distributes FRAM filters, Bendix brakes and Autolite
electronics.

AlliedSignal is an advanced manufacturing company serving customers
worldwide with aerospace and automotive products, chemicals, fibers,
plastics and advanced materials.

ABOUT THE SURVEY: The sample size of car owners that drive at least
10,000 miles per year was 689 individuals - 323 female adults and 366
male adults. Sample reliability for this survey is + or - 3%. This
exceeds the national standard for survey accuracy and reliability.