DRIVERS are being warned to avoid press popular buttons to save £100s in fuel bills – and how shorter journeys are the worst.
Motorists risk “increasing” fuel consumption by pressing a button found in every car across the UK.
GettyDrivers are being warned to avoid risking extra fuel consumption with a simple tip[/caption]
Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s drivers can boost their petrol and diesel fuel economy rates by reducing air conditioning and heating usage, according to ChoiceQuote.
The insurance firm says: “Both air conditioning and heating use engine power and therefore increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption.
“Therefore, try to dress for the weather even when in your car.”
A study by Emissions Analytics found the impact of air-conditioning on hybrid cars was nearly double, with fuel efficiency dropping 6.1 per cent in a hybrid car on average.
This compared to just 3.8 per cent for a standard petrol car and 4.6 per cent for a diesel.
Air con can drive up fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.
But it’s a balancing act as, conversely, opening the windows at higher speeds can increase it by as much as 20 per cent.
Closing your windows if driving over 40mph can prevent drag on the vehicle and creating stronger wind resistance.
Kwik Fit added: “The compressor requires energy to run your vehicle’s air conditioning system and so will use a small amount of fuel whenever the system is running.
“It could increase your fuel usage by as much as 10 per cent, and the effects are particularly noticeable on short journeys.
“When you initially set off, the air con has to work hard to bring the internal temperature down to a comfortable level.
“However, once the car has cooled enough, you can choose to reduce the flow rate, increase the temperature or turn the air con off altogether.”
Pros at Quotezone.co.uk have also previously revealed further tips on stretching out your fuel budget.
Advice on cutting costs includes checking online for the cheaper local petrol stations and including them as part of an upcoming journey.
But the best free way to save you breaking the bank on fuel is to be mindful of your motor’s weight, according to the insurance company.
When your vehicle is carrying extra weight, the engine will require more fuel to travel at the same speed as a lighter vehicle.
With that in mind, it’s worthwhile taking out the more cumbersome equipment when you hit the road.
And experts at Xcite Car Leasing have come up with a number of driving tips to make your fuel go further – and avoid a hefty £2,500 fine.
These include checking tyre pressure, cleaning or replacing air filters and avoid idling.
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