HOUSTON – A recent poll revealed that Americans place nearly equal importance on vehicle health and personal health. Results of a nationwide survey commissioned by Shell showed that 73 percent of Americans go out of their way to make sure their cars are in tip-top condition through maintenance, while 68 percent go out of their way to keep physically fit through regular exercise, according to www.tradingmarkets.com.

Similarly, the survey shows 40 percent bring their cars in for maintenance at least once every 5,000 miles, and 35 percent go to the doctor more than once a year.

Also a large majority (63 percent) of survey respondents go out of the way to make sure their vehicles use only the best parts and accessories — 73 percent say they can feel the difference when their vehicle’s engine is clean and responsive.

The biggest maintenance issue for America’s vehicles, according to 39 percent of respondents, is the build-up of gunk in engines, which most (60 percent) described as similar to fat clogging blood vessels.