MANCHESTER, England, February 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- Drivers Resort to Novel Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption as Petrol Costs Soar
Motorists predict that unleaded petrol will reach 143p per litre and diesel will top 146p per litre by the end of 2011 according to new research by webuyanycar.com - the UK's largest car buyer.
15% of Brits will be forced to switch their car for a more economical model should the cost of fuel reach these predicted heights.
According to the research, the average price of fuel would need to reach 184.8p per litre to motivate the nation to change their car. This tipping point would represent a 43% increase in the price of fuel from January 2011, but is a possibility as fuel increased by 15% in 2010 and 30% in 2009. *
56% of drivers are already taking measures to reduce the running cost of their car with 69% walking more, 36% of people making their car lighter by checking the boot is empty before setting off and 35% looking ahead to see if the traffic is slowing so that they don't waste fuel breaking.
However, a worrying 23% of British motorists admit that they are driving out of gear (coasting) which can reduce driver control as engine braking is eliminated, vehicle speed downhill will increase quickly and general responsiveness may suffer.
Paul Coulter of webuyanycar.com comments: "The increasing price of fuel is having an enormous effect on the resale value of cars as people trade in their gas guzzlers for a more economical model and we predict that this trend will continue in the future.
"Taking sensible measures to reduce your fuel bill such as car sharing, ensuring you have the correct tyre pressure and carrying less in your car are obvious steps but we urge people to stop the dangerous practice of coasting in an attempt to save fuel."
Notes to Editors
The survey of 3,000 male and female car owners was completed online through OnePoll in February 2011.
*According to the AA Fuel Price Report
http://www.webuyanycar.com/
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