Drivers have been warned against wasting money by warming their engine before starting their journey. While many people leave time for their engine to warm up in the winter, the motoring experts say it doesn’t need to be part of your morning routine. In fact, it wastes fuel and therefore money.
Sharing advice for drivers looking to save money, the RAC told motorists: “Don’t warm your engine up before driving.” Explaining the tip on an advice page for customers, the RAC said: “During the colder months, many people turn on their engine and let their vehicle warm up before heading off.
“This wastes fuel and isn’t needed for the vehicle to be working at optimal condition – certainly for anything more than it takes to defog the windows. It is advisable in many vehicles to slowly accelerate and keep the revs down when an engine is cold, rather than let it increase in temperature before heading off on your next road trip.”
The RAC reiterated the tip when urging drivers to ‘drive gently’ during winter weather. The experts explained: “Cars are at their least efficient when they are cold. Winter driving comes with its own challenges.
“If you drive quickly straight from start-up, you are redoubling the wasted fuel, and also wearing out the engine more quickly in the process because the vital lubricating oil is not up to temperature. Show some mechanical sympathy and you’ll immediately start saving money.”
The advice continued: “You shouldn’t allow your engine to idle for too long. Today’s engines are designed to operate from the moment you turn the key – warming the engine for anything more than a few seconds is no longer required.
“If you like the cabin to feel warm on a cold day, it might be worth investing in a car with heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Remember to turn them off when you’ve warmed up, as they will increase your fuel consumption when switched on.”
The tips were shared on a webpage titled: “How to save money as a driver – 50 quick money-saving tips.” Other ‘savvy’ tips explained how drivers could save money on fuel, car insurance, repairs, parking tickets, and MOTs.
The RAC also shares advice on driving safely in poor weather conditions, offering online guides dedicated to driving in snow, driving on ice, and driving in windy weather.
If you’re planning to drive when the weather is severe, it’s advised to consider whether the travel is necessary. If you do decide to travel, make sure your vehicle is packed well in case you have to pause your journey, plan your route, and drive slowly.
The RAC adds that it’s worth listening to a local news bulletin, in case of road closures or traffic.
