Date published: 8 February 2013
Almost half of UK motorists have cut back on driving or stopped completely as high fuel costs put a strain on household budgets, according to new research.
When asked by comparison site MoneySupermarket if another increase in petrol prices would change the way they drive, two in five said they have already taken action and reduced the amount they drive, and 6% have stopped driving altogether.
Meanwhile, almost one in five make sure they drive more fuel efficiently, and 6% have switched cars to a cost effective eco model.
One in seven has taken no action and not changed their driving habits at all.
Clare Francis of MoneySupermarket said: "Shop around for the best deal on the forecourt to make sure you aren't paying over the odds for your fuel; type your postcode into PetrolPrices.com to find the cheapest options in your area.”
Motorists can also cut back on the overall cost of driving by shopping around when buying car insurance.
Top tips to combat high fuel costs
- Shed the extra weight - the heavier the car, the more fuel it consumes so offload any unnecessary items kept in the boot to cut costs.
- Regular service - getting your car serviced when it’s due means it will not only last longer but be more fuel efficient.
- Plan ahead - carefully planning your route means you can avoid busy roads and possibly lengthy spells in traffic.
- Wrap up in winter - winter driving can increase engine workload by up to 3% as 'warm-up' idling and increased use of heaters all put extra strain on the engine. Cut this down by covering windscreens on winter nights, and turn off unnecessary car electrics.
- Adapt your driving - save money by cutting back on engine revs and accelerate smoothly. Keep gear changes as smooth as possible and avoid sharp acceleration and braking.
- Don't drive as much - big savings can be made by cutting down the number of you miles you drive. Try car sharing, and combining several errands in one trip to help cut down on fuel costs and reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle.
- Catch the bus
- Take the Train
- Shop on-line....
