COMMUTERS could cut their fuel bills by more than £150 by using a simple trick, helping them to save money as fuel costs rise.
Pressure on prices at the pumps has soared, particularly in recent weeks as Russia’s war in Ukraine has forced prices up even further.
While the average cost of a litre of unleaded is routinely above £1.60, diesel has shot up and could even hit £2 by the end of next month, if not sooner.
With energy bills and grocery prices also soaring due to the cost of living crisis on the back of the Covid pandemic, many Brits are worried about what the future holds financially.
Now experts at leading UK motoring association MotorEasy have revealed one top tip to shave a decent sum off your bill at the forecourt.
Founder and CEO Duncan McClure Fisher said: “One thing many people do that is entirely unnecessary is to leave their engine idling.
“This can be done first thing in the morning to ‘warm it up’ or when stuck in traffic. Even dropping off something at a friend’s house can see people leave the motor running instead of turning off the ignition.
“While this might seem very innocent, research has shown an idling engine can burn through three or four pence of fuel a minute.
“If you are doing 10 minutes of warming up, five days a week, and spending another 30 minutes per week stuck in traffic – that adds up to a very handy £166 a year that’s being wasted.”
As well as saving money, Mr McClure Fisher highlighted that idling engines are bad for the planet and against the law.
He added: “Rule 123 of the Highway Code states, ‘You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road’.”
Martin Lewis warns every bill payer should do one thing before March 31
A 2020 study found that a whopping 60 per cent of UK motorists were unaware it’s illegal to sit in a stationary vehicle while the engine is running.
