IRVINE, Calif., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- With gas prices on the rise this summer, there is no shortage of fuel economy advice available to consumers who want to save a few dollars at the pump. Drivers are often encouraged to improve their vehicle's fuel economy by reducing air conditioning use, changing filters regularly, checking tire pressure, having fuel injectors cleaned and using a fuel additive to increase engine performance. But how likely are consumers to actually use any of these gas-saving tips to help save money?
According to a recent Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study on fuel economy, nearly six out of 10 consumers say they would be likely to change their filters at scheduled intervals and/or check their tire pressure regularly to achieve greater fuel economy or save money. In addition, nearly seven out of 10 consumers (68 percent) believe that by performing some or all of the recommended gas-saving maintenance to their car, they would save up to $200 annually.
"Gas prices have reached levels that are causing consumers to take steps they may not have when pump prices were more moderate to improve fuel economy and save a few dollars," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "If these consumers actually perform all of these gas saving tips, it's likely they could save up to 15 or 20 percent of their entire fuel costs annually."
However, only 23 percent say they would be willing to reduce air conditioning use. Even less popular options include having fuel injectors cleaned (17 percent), and using a fuel additive in each fill-up to increase engine performance (five percent).
More than a quarter of consumers (26 percent) say they would employ all of these recommended fuel-saving tips to achieve greater fuel economy or save money, and a contrasting five percent say they would do none.
When thinking about their next new-vehicle purchase, 69 percent of consumers are likely to change the vehicle they drive in order to improve their fuel economy or money situation: 22 percent would buy a hybrid version of a vehicle they already have; 21 percent would take a step down in vehicle size; 14 percent say they would buy a vehicle with a smaller engine or an engine with less power; and 12 percent say they would buy a diesel vehicle. Thirty-one percent of consumers say they would not change their next vehicle to improve fuel economy.
The Toyota Prius is in its second generation and approaching its fifth model year, and it continues to dominate the hybrid market. However, because the Prius doesn't necessarily fit every lifestyle, the editorial staff at Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com put together a list of fuel-efficient favorites filled with something for everyone.
"We certainly think there is an important place in the market for hybrid vehicles today and in the future," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "But today's market offers a wide variety of vehicles that both fill individuals' needs and provide better-than-average fuel efficiency, and this list includes our top choices."
Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Editors' Top Picks for Best Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Category Vehicle Kbb.com Editorial Staff Comments MPG* MPG*
(city)(highway)
The Honda Civic Hybrid is the
Small Honda Prius alternative with
Sedan Civic more mainstream styling, if not
Hybrid all the fuel economy. 40 45
Beneath its sporty-sedan sheet
Mid-Size Nissan metal, Nissan's Altima
Sedan Altima Hybrid uses licensed Toyota
Hybrid hybrid technology. 35 33
Powered by a state-of-the-art
Luxury Mercedes-Benz clean diesel engine, the
Sedan E320 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec is as
Bluetec powerful and smooth as you'd
expect anything wearing a
three-pointed star to be. 23 32
The Toyota Tacoma's bulletproof
Compact Toyota Tacoma reputation for reliability is
Pickup backed up by some of the
category's best fuel economy. 20 26
GM's excellent new Chevrolet
Full-Size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are
Pickup Silverado/ just about the most
GMC Sierra fuel-efficient full-size
pickups out there. 15 20
The 2008 Audi TT deftly
Coupe Audi TT maximizes turbo power and
efficiency in one fun and
fuel-frugal coupe. 23 31
Revamped for 2008, the Ford
Small SUV Ford Escape Escape Hybrid combines
Hybrid excellent mileage with SUV
versatility. 31 30
The Highlander Hybrid is
Mid-Size ToyotaToyota's only hybrid SUV,
SUV Highlander and the only one to boast a
Hybrid lineage that includes the
revolutionary Prius. 28 25
With more total cargo volume
Large SUV GMC Acadia than the brand's own
Yukon, the three-row GMC Acadia
delivers everything
most families require from a
traditional full-size SUV
but with significantly better
mileage. 16 24
Some of the same characteristics
Convertible Mazda MX-5 that make the small
and lightweight Mazda MX-5 one
of the purest driver's
cars of all time help make it a
joy at the gas pump, too. 22 27
What some consider the best
Minivan Honda Odyssey minivan available, the
Honda Odyssey, also delivers the
best mileage. Under
light loads, the Odyssey can
cruise on just three of its
six cylinders. 17 24
A secret weapon in the fight
Hatchback MINI Cooper against fuel prices, the
extremely fun MINI Cooper
delivers highway mileage
of up to 36 mpg. 27 36
The Toyota Matrix and Pontiac
Wagon Toyota Vibe cousins are small
Matrix/ but tall wagons that have been
Pontiac delivering outstanding
Vibe fuel economy since the 2003
model year. 26 33
* (Note: All fuel economy figures reflect the new-for-2008 model year guidelines, per fueleconomy.gov).
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