‘I’m a mechanic, drivers don’t realise they can save fuel with cheap fix’
Budget 2023: Chancellor announces fuel duty will be frozen
Petrol and diesel drivers can save fuel with a little-known hack “a lot of people don’t realise” exists, says a garage mechanic.
According to experts at Walsall Wood Tyre and Service, simply closing car windows and getting a car cleaned of excess dirt could have a major impact on fuel consumption.
Drivers simply need to pay for a cheap car wash or rinse it down with a hose to see the benefits.
The unidentified mechanic posted his tips on their @Walsallwood_tyre TikTok channel.
He said: “The one that a lot of people don’t realise, keeping your car clean and driving with your window open.
READ MORE ‘I’m a driving instructor – How drivers can save fuel when travelling in cities’
“Driving with the window open and driving a dirty vehicle like mine will actually increase drag. Every fibre of dirt creates drag on the car and that will slow you down and cost you more fuel.”
TikTok users quickly praised the advice with many stunned that simply cleaning a car could have such an impact.
@charliebker98 said: “Now I have a reason to always wash my car yaaaay.” @richardthorpe336 added: “So basically polish the hell out your car to get more mpg.”
DON’T MISS
Drivers can save fuel on their next journey by using a simple mobile phone tool[LATEST]
Drivers can ‘use less fuel’ by checking one thing ‘widely available’[ANALYSIS]
Martin Lewis’ MSE shares how to save money on petrol at the fuel pump[COMMENT]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
TV series MythBusters have previously put the clean car through a test and proved it really does work.
Hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hynerman covered a car in dirt and drove around a track at the same speed to see what difference it made.
They later found the dirty car had a better consumption of around two miles per gallon which could save drivers from topping up.
The mud-covered vehicle had an economy of 24 miles per gallon compared to 26 miles per gallon for the clean model.
Meanwhile, The AA has confirmed motorists will likely burn more fuel with a window retracted.
They explained: “When the weather warms up, it’s very tempting to crack open a window to let more air in the car and cool you down.
“However, if you do this on the move it can have a negative effect on fuel economy, particularly at higher speeds.
“That’s because it creates more drag, which essentially means the car has to work harder to get up speed, therefore using more fuel in the process.”
Source: Read Full Article
