Ford Racing Shifter Knob Composite Black Ford Racing Logo Manual Transmission Ea on 2040-parts.com

Drivers 'don't care' about engine oil

JUST 4% of drivers choose which engine oil goes into their car during a service, according to new research. The remaining 96% either don’t care or simply go with whatever a mechanic recommends, leading to calls from a leading engine oil manufacturer and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) for raised awareness of the benefits of high-grade engine lubricants. In a study of 1,000 drivers, conducted on behalf of Mobil 1, 65% said they wouldn’t know what oil viscosity their car would need to take, while 69% added they had no idea which brand of oil their car manufacturer recommends.

Lexus debuts dedicated HS 250h hybrid at the Detroit auto show

Lexus is no stranger to hybrids, with green offshoots of the GS and LS sedans and RX SUV currently in showrooms. However, joining them this summer is Lexus's first dedicated hybrid, the HS 250h, which made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The new entry-luxury sedan slots between the IS and ES in the Lexus range.

Ford teams up with Heinz for tomato car parts

Ford and Getty Images Forget carbonfibre, the new must-have material on your vehicle will soon be tomato fibre – or so Ford and food manufacturer Heinz are hoping. The American carmaker and the food giant have teamed up to "explore the use of tomato fibre to develop a sustainable bio-plastic material for vehicles," bringing environmentally friendly motoring to a whole new level. Ford and Heinz tomato car parts: how will they work?