AN EXPERT mechanic has revealed the button drivers should always press before starting their car.
Scotty Kilmer shared the little-known tip on his YouTube channel to millions of car owners.
Scotty Kilmer explained how to use the start-stop button
The system can automatically turn off your vehicle if you come to a halt
Most modern cars are equipped with a feature to automatically start and stop your vehicle.
The system turns off your car when stationary and it starts it up again when it’s time to move.
The start-stop technology was first introduced on cars years ago in the hope of saving on fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
However, Scotty slammed the button and described it as “one of the dumbest and most dangerous things”.
The motors guru fumed: “At the max you might get two or three per cent better gas mileage.
“Not only does it make the cars more expensive to build, it also makes them wear out faster.”
Scotty then explained viewers how to turn off the “damaging” feature.
The system kicks in when the car is switched on, but it can be deactivated manually by pressing a hidden button.
All you have to do is find a button usually with a capital A and an arrow circling downside on your dashboard.
A light will then appear underneath indicating that the system has been switched off.
Scotty added: “Most of the wear on your engine occurs when you start the car.
“Do you really want to be starting and stopping your car all the time?
“It will wear the engine out faster, it will wear the starter out faster, it will wear the battery out faster.”
But manufacturers have taken steps to make sure the wear due to start-stop system is minimal.
The technology only works once the engine reaches operating temperature and it stops if the oil temperature drops rapidly.
Damage is minimised thanks to the engine’s management features – which prevent oil from returning to the sump and keeps moving parts fully coated.
To effectively prevent your engine from wearing off, mechanics recommend to use lubricating oils to avoid friction.
It comes as motorists realised a very handy hack that can stop a windscreen icing up.
Popular car expert ChrisFix shared the advice on his YouTube channel, explaining how a couple of zip-lock bags and a rubbish sack can be used to skip de-icing your motor’s windshield and side mirrors on a chilly winter morning.