Drivers have been urged to use a little known button in their car to save money on fuel.
The cost of running a car has been widely reported on over the last year with the cost of petrol and diesel reaching record highs in the summer of 2022.
The car servicing and repair company Kwik Fit has urged drivers to check if they are not wasting fuel unknowingly - and in turn, wasting money.
Drivers will likely not be surprised that their air-conditioning system uses engine power in diesel and petrol cars, or battery power in electric vehicles.
For internal combustion engines, it can lead to much bigger fuel consumption as the system usually works by taking the outside air and then heating or cooling it.
However, KwikFit has told drivers that this method uses much more fuel compared to the option which lets the car’s air-con system use the air from inside the car.
The servicing company says there is a button in the car which is "specifically designed" to let motorists choose which option they prefer.
If activated, the air recirculation button allows the aircon to use the air from inside the car by drawing it through vents and at the same time it stops the outside air from getting in.
Kwik Fit says the button is "usually" located around the aircon dial that allows the driver to set the internal temperature and more often than not, the button has a picture of a car with an arrow inside it.
If drivers use this button, it will help reduce fuel consumption as it puts less strain on the car's engine.
The principle is also the same for electric cars as the aircon will put less strain on the car's battery.
Bradley Jando from 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%, 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."
Even with this, the RAC recommends that you don't use your air conditions "unless you really have to".
The group added: "This goes for heat as well as cooling, so try to dress for the weather, even inside your car, if fuel efficiency is a big concern."
