Survey Of How Americans Spend Time In Their Cars Reveals Generational Differences

For many Americans, the car is more than just transportation — its a personal space for reflection, relaxation, or even a pep talk. But how people use that time depends largely on their generation, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 U.S. car owners conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Ziebart found that millennials are the most likely to use their cars for self-improvement, with 44% saying they think about life and plan their futures behind the wheel, while 39% reported listening to podcasts.

Gen X drivers, by contrast, keep things upbeat. The study revealed that 89% listen to music — the highest rate among all age groups — and 18% give themselves pep talks during commutes or before big events.

For Gen Z, cars serve as a safe haven for winding down. Fifty-five percent said they enjoy sitting in silence, 43% use their car time to process long workdays, and 25% even take naps in their vehicles, far more than older generations.

“Since Ziebart is in the car business, we were curious to learn more about what our customers do in their cars,” said Thomas A. Wolfe, president and chief executive officer of Ziebart International Corporation. “Its clear to us that for many drivers, vehicles are more than a mode of transportation — they serve a variety of personal purposes, which explains why so many people go above and beyond to protect them inside and out.”

The survey also found common ground across age groups: Americans want their cars to last. Respondents reported that their vehicles are nine years old, on average, and theyd like them to last another four years. Yet many expect it will be three years before they can afford a new vehicle without financial strain.

With that in mind, 79% of car owners with vehicles a few years old said they do everything possible to make their cars feel new. Nearly half (46%) have stepped up their car care in the past year, including interior cleaning (57%), exterior cleaning (51%), checking tire pressure and tread depth (43%), and monitoring oil levels (43%). A third (33%) said they are also scheduling more frequent check-ups and tune-ups.

Drivers expressed concern about long-term wear, with 26% worried about rust, 23% concerned about paint deterioration, 22% about undercarriage damage, and 17% watching for fabric or leather deterioration in their interiors.

“While its easy to remember to keep up with mechanical maintenance, many people dont realize that things like rust, chipping paint, undercarriage damage and fabric or leather interior deterioration can affect the cars lifespan,” said Ziebart franchise owner Nick Lambie.