As the UK still struggles in the grip of the cost of living crisis, drivers have been urged to make use of a little-known car button that reduces fuel consumption.
This hidden feature will not only save you money, but make the driver and their passengers more comfortable during car journeys, the Express reports.
Motorists will likely not be surprised that their air-conditioning system uses power from the engine to work, in the case of petrol and diesel cars.
The system uses battery power in electric cars, which is just as frustrating. For internal combustion engines that can lead to much bigger fuel consumption.
The air-con usually works by taking the air outside and heating or cooling it into the car. However, drivers have now been informed that this method uses much more fuel than the other option - which uses the air from inside the car.
Thankfully, there is a button specially designed to let motorists choose which option they prefer. If pressed, the air recirculation button allows the system to use the air already inside the car by drawing it through the vents, and stops air outside from getting in.
The button is usually located around the aircon dial that allows the driver to set the internal temperature. It has a picture of a car with an arrow inside it.
Pressing this button will help reduce fuel consumption as it puts a lot less stress on the engine, and this is the same for electric cars, as it will put less strain on the battery.
Bradley Jando of Kwik Fit said: "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 percent, 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."
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