Consumers Run Out of Gas When It Comes to Changing Driving Patterns

    MSN Carpoint Survey Indicates Driving Patterns of More Than 66 Percent
        Of Consumers Surveyed Are not Influenced by Rising Cost of Gas

    REDMOND, Wash., May 24 A new survey conducted by the
MSN(R) Carpoint(TM) service, the most visited car-buying and car-ownership
site on the Web, revealed that many Americans are slow to change their driving
behavior despite high gas prices.
    
    66 percent of those polled in the MSN Carpoint.com Fast Facts May 2001
survey said that the rising cost of gas has not influenced their driving
patterns, including driving more, driving less or carpooling.

    When those surveyed were asked what vehicle they were considering
purchasing or leasing in the next 12 to 18 months, 33 percent indicated an
SUV, which is among the least fuel-efficient autos on the road. Sedans ranked
second at 30 percent, and compacts, which usually get the best mileage per
gallon, gathered one of the smaller percentages of consumers with 19 percent.

    Although few surveyed are willing to alter their patterns to drive less
often or carpool, consumers would drive farther to save 20 to 30 cents per
gallon on their gas purchase. Here is how far they would drive for that
savings:

    -- 10 percent would drive up to 1 mile.
    -- 19 percent would drive 1 to 2 miles.
    -- 27 percent would drive 3 to 4 miles.
    -- 32 percent would drive more than 4 miles.

    Here are some fuel-saving tips available at Carpoint.com:

    -- Keep vehicles well maintained with regular servicing for efficient
       operation. Fouled spark plugs, dirty air filters and low tire pressure
       can affect fuel economy.
    -- Accelerate gradually and drive at a smoother rate to gain as much as
       20 percent in fuel economy, compared with aggressive driving.
    -- Do not let your engine idle too long.
    -- Look at alternative transportation options -- even if it is just for
       one or two days a week. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take public
       transportation and leave your vehicle at home.

    MSN Carpoint.com Fast Facts is a monthly online survey conducted via
Carpoint.com, which provides consumers with feedback on car-related topics.
The May 2001 survey was derived from a random sample of more than
2,000 Carpoint.com users.