Wouldn't it be fantastic if you could save money with a single push of a button? Amazingly enough, drivers can - thanks to a helpful hack for fuel saving which has taken the internet by storm.
As well as helping your wallet stay fuller for longer, the tip also solves a long and much asked question, explaining the use of an unknown button found in every car.
So it comes as no surprise that drivers have been left dumbfounded by the tip popularised by TikTok user 'Megan's Bubble' - which has received the backing of an AA spokesperson.
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@megansbubble amazed drivers when she shared trick in a video, with the onscreen caption: "Car tips and tricks. I bet you didn't know what this car button is actually used for."
The Mirror reports that in the video, she then points to the air recirculation button, which uses a car with an arrow inside as its symbol - and it turns out that it can be very important for drivers to use. Megan explains: "Essentially what it's going to do for you, it means that you are recirculating the air inside the car.
"So if it's extraordinarily hot inside of your car when you first get in you want to turn this off so that you suck in the outside air. If you're sitting in front of other cars where you'll be getting all the exhaust fumes sucked into your car, you use this button so that the air inside your car recirculates and you don't suck in all that bad air."
And a lack of knowledge with regards to what the button does could be hiking up your commuting bills, AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet confirmed.
"If you don’t know what the recirculation button does and have been blasting the air con to try to cool passengers on the back seat, you’ve been missing a trick and paying for it," warns Mr Bosdet. It is best to completely turn of the air conditioning after a few moments, and use the button to keep cool air trapped inside the vehicle itself.
Of course, the cheapest way to stay cool while driving is to switch off the AC altogether and opt to wind down a window when traveling at lower speeds. But the AC unit may be your best bet when traveling at a faster pace - with drag causing the car to work harder when windows are down.
Whichever option you choose, you should be aware that the consistent use of air conditioning uses more energy, which is why it impacts your fuel. It's not all bad news though, as Mr Bosdet points out: "It is possible on longer trips and faster roads that the air vents will generate enough air flow for the car to remain comfortable after the air con has done its initial job and can be switched off."
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