The cost of living is rising and according to experts, it's set to rise again with the likes of shopping and energy bills continually soaring.
However in addition to our food and electricity costs, filling up the car is also becoming quite expensive.
Because of this, people have been trying to figure out ways to save money by trying tips and tricks they've seen online with the average 55-litre tank costing more than £100 to fill for both average petrol and diesel prices.
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But these tips and tricks could actually be costing you more money in the long run. Some of these so called fuel-saving techniques involve changing the way people drive as well as how they treat their car with air conditioning becoming one of the focal points in the struggle to save money.
Talking about air con, the RAC has said that using it, especially when driving in warmer weather, can increase a car’s fuel consumption, according to the Express. It added that drivers should not use the air con unless they “really have to”.
If you need to cool down whilst driving, experts are now recommending that people instead open their windows. This is because, generally, air con systems take the outside air and then heat or cool it which uses more fuel compared to the lesser-known option of air recirculation.
When pressed, the button allows the aircon to use the air from inside the car by drawing it through vents. The button is usually positioned around the air con dial on most modern cars.
Other ways drivers can help them save money in the long run, and keep their car in good condition, is to ensure their tyres have the correct pressure. This reduces friction with the road meaning the engine doesn't have to work as hard when driving.
Sarah Tooze, Consumer Editor at CarSite, has warned drivers that overuse of the air con could lead to very expensive problems with the car. She explained: “While there is merit in some of the suggestions, some techniques, such as drafting and coasting, are potentially dangerous for the driver and other road users.
“Risking an expensive (and potentially fatal) crash in an attempt to save fuel is not worth it. Hypermilers advocate turning off the air-con to conserve fuel.
“However, while keeping the air-con off for long periods may save a small amount of fuel in the short term, it may cause costly problems down the road. AC systems are designed to operate 100 percent of the time, so the compressor may seize if it is switched off for long periods, or the joints may dry out and allow the gas to escape.”
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