As drivers are currently facing spiralling costs at the pump - experts have advised of one simple trick which could cut expenditure in excess of £150.
As forecourt prices have shot up due to the global market's reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both petrol and diesel have hit record new highs across the United Kingdom.
Petrol has increased by 30p per litre in the past 12 months, shooting up to 161p per litre this week, while diesel is predicted to hit an eye-watering £2 by the end of next month - according to Wales Online.
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With energy bills and grocery prices also soaring due to the cost of living crisis on the back of the Covid pandemic, many Brits are worried about what the future holds financially.
So any measures that allow them to claw back pennies and pounds will be much appreciated.
Now experts at leading UK motoring association MotorEasy have revealed one top tip to shave a decent sum off your bill at the forecourt.
MotorEasy founder and CEO Duncan McClure Fisher said: “One thing many people do that is entirely unnecessary is to leave their engine idling.
“This can be done first thing in the morning to ‘warm it up’ or when stuck in traffic. Even dropping off something at a friend’s house can see people leave the motor running instead of turning off the ignition.
“While this might seem very innocent, research has shown an idling engine can burn through 3-4p of fuel a minute.
“If you are doing 10 minutes of warming up, five days a week, and spending another 30 minutes per week stuck in traffic – that adds up to a very handy £166 a year that’s being wasted.”
As well as saving money, Mr McClure Fisher highlighted that idling engines are bad for the planet and against the law.
He added: “Rule 123 of the Highway Code states, ‘You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road’.
“This is enforced under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, with local authorities able to issue a fine of up to £80.
“It’s obviously not great for the environment to have increased emissions escaping into the atmosphere either.”
A 2020 study found that a whopping 60 per cent of UK motorists were unaware it’s illegal to sit in a stationary vehicle while the engine is running.
The research, by car giants Renault, also discovered male drivers were 50 per cent more likely to leave the engine running on the school run than females.
The idling rule is one of a host of lesser-known regulations set out in the Highway Code that have the potential to catch people out.
Others include sleeping in a car when drunk, beeping your horn whilst stationary and paying at a drive-through with a mobile phone.
