Button found in most modern cars could reduce fuel use & save you £100s – it’s great for long trips
MOTORISTS can slash their fuel use and pocket hundreds of pounds by pushing a key button in their car.
The feature helps to “reduce speeds” – meaning drivers will spend less time filling up at service stations.
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“Many people may need to learn that driving speed can play a part in how fuel efficient a car is,” experts at CarShop said.
“Research indicates that reducing driving speed by 5mph to 10mph can improve fuel economy by 7-14 percent depending on different factors such as the car’s size, weight and fuel type.
“Helpful tip – if the vehicle has cruise control make sure you use it when possible.
“This will help to keep a constant speed, which can help with fuel economy.”
Major car brand Kia has claimed the button can help drivers boost fuel economy from anywhere between seven and 14 percent, according to the Daily Express.
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However, this fuel-saving technique only works within certain constraints.
Cruise control will only save fuel if it’s used on flat surfaces – such as motorways, experts at the RAC have warned.
In fact, using the feature on different gradients will have the opposite effect.
They said: “If you were to use your cruise control regularly, not on flat roads, you would encounter problems that would increase your fuel consumption.
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“This is because your cruise control would be slower to react to gradient changes, meaning when reaching the brow of a hill – at which point you would normally take your foot off the accelerator to maintain more of a constant speed when descending – your cruise control will keep the power on for a little longer as it’s unable to see the gradient change in front of you.
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“Driving in this way regularly would lead to worse fuel consumption.”
FUEL FOR THOUGHT
A financial expert has told drivers the exact time they should avoid filling up at petrol stations to help save them on fuel costs.
According to the guru, motorists can pay “lower prices” at fuel stations across the UK by making just a small change to their schedule.
Finance expert Rebecca Bebbington of NetVoucherCodes has urged petrol or diesel car owners to take advantage of ever-changing prices by avoiding peak times when there is more traffic on the roads.
This can include rush hours in the morning and evening – around 9am and 5pm – as well as around noon.
Rebecca said: “Petrol prices can fluctuate throughout the day, with prices typically lower during off-peak hours.
“Try to fill up your tank early in the morning or late at night to take advantage of potentially lower prices.
“Avoid peak times such as midday and after 5pm when the majority of the country finishes work.”
This comes as an expert driving instructor warn motorists that a common feature in modern cars could actually be dangerous when indicating.
Elsewhere, a driver received a “rare apology” after his £100 speeding fine was overturned due to a bizarre loophole.
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Motor money-saving hacks
DON’T let insurance premiums and repairs catch you out.
The cost of buying a car is not just about meeting the asking price.
You also need to sort out insurance for your motor, which can rise to eyewatering annual amounts.
Models with economical engines usually become significantly cheaper to insure than performance models.
Certain brands can only be repaired at specialist shops, so consider that before buying your new motor.
Motors with excessive mileage are less fuel-efficient
Any time you buy a car, you should always consider resale value.
If you find a model that will sell well on the used car market, that is a better money-saving investment than a model that typically struggles to drum up buyers.
Along with the make and model, check the mileage if you’re trying to save money in the long term.
The experts say that the mileage is more than a number – it’s an indicator of the condition of a car.
Bright and bold cars lose value faster than other colours
While it may seem like a trivial choice, picking the perfect paint job for your car impacts the resale value and general maintenance.
Lime greens, burnt oranges and sunshine yellows might speak to your personal tastes, but they are notoriously difficult to sell on the used car market.
That’s because, as a more niche choice, it’s tricky to find willing buyers, forcing you to lower the asking price or wait longer for a suitable offer.
Buy the car that best suits your day-to-day – and bin off the extra features
To save as much money as possible on your purchase, you need to think specifically about how you’re actually going to be using the car rather than how you might use it.
For example, if you need a used car for commuting into a city centre office, you might be better off with a nippy three-door that costs £5,000 rather than a 4×4 on the market for £10,000.