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Drivers have been told to follow a basic step to massively boost their fuel economy during the rest of September. As temperatures start slowly dropping, drivers are being encouraged to make the final effort and stop using the air con.

The latest RAC Fuel Watch shows that motorists will have to pay 168.36p per litre of unleaded and 183.19p per litre of diesel on average.

With both prices remaining fairly high, many drivers will still be looking for ways in which they can boost their fuel economy and cut down on their petrol and diesel costs.

One of the key tips drivers should pay attention to is ditching the air conditioning.

Using air con can account for as much as 10 percent of the overall economy of the vehicle.

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It’s far better to use the vehicle’s fan or open a window to get some cooler air in.

However, the same is not true when opening windows at high speeds.

Generally, when travelling over 50mph, drivers should refrain from opening the windows.

Above 50mph it will be more efficient to use air conditioning than to open a window, as the drag has a profound effect on the fuel economy.

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Dorry Potter, car and scrappage expert for National Scrap Car, talked about a clever hack that prevents the air con from draining too much fuel.

She said it was important to remove the hot air from the car before the air con is used.

Ms Potter added: “Getting overheated while driving can cause lack of concentration and could even cause some to pass out if it gets too much. This is why it is important to use your air conditioning while driving.”

The expert added: “You can make it more efficient by helping your car to expel hot air before starting it.

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“Fan the doors to help move the warm air out of the car. Then while the air-con gets to work keep all windows open while driving until the air from the fans feels cool."

Ms Potter also said to employ other fuel-saving methods such as driving sensibly and making sure the tyres are properly inflated.

She said: “Make sure you travel with water in the car too so you can remain hydrated and where possible avoid travelling during the peak sun hours.”

Other ways to save the vehicle from mass humidity include parking in the shade and buying a reflective windscreen cover to deflect the sun and its UV rays.

Ms Potter continued: “Parking in a shaded area, as opposed to a spot in the sun, will help the inside of the car stay cooler.

“Purchase a reflective windscreen shade, these fit behind your visors and stop the sun beaming down on the car and heating the interior.

“These actions will help the air inside the car feel cooler which will mean less effort is needed to cool the interior with air-con, saving fuel.

“If you have a dark coloured interior such as black seats, it is also advisable that you purchase either light colour car seat covers or cooling mats for your seats.”

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