Effects of Poor Practices on Engine Oil Change by Filling Station Attendants and Local Garages Mechanics

Abstract

Engine lubrication cannot be overlooked in the automobile industry since it is the life blood of vehicle engines. In Ghana about 80% of oil service is carried out by fuel filling stations attendants and mechanics in local garages. Most of them lack the necessary skills needed to go about their work.  It has therefore become necessary to investigate the effects of poor practices offered by filling station attendants and local garages mechanics during servicing of an engine.

This research was undertaken to ascertain the level of knowledge of filling station attendants and local garages mechanics on engine lubrication and also ascertain the various equipment and tools used during oil service.  Assessment was carried out in Accra and its environs. In all, one hundred questionnaires were distributed and ninety three were received.

Analysis of the results indicated that even though some of the respondents had had some form of training they still need to be retrained to upgrade their knowledge and the training received should be standardized in the nation.

Keywords: engine oil change, filling station attendants, local garages mechanics, automobile industry