Car dealership Dace Motor Group has warned vehicle owners that making multiple short trips in a day could be causing Brits to burn through their fuel faster. The group is encouraging drivers to 'batch' all their daily errands into one large journey where possible.
Why cold engines waste fuel
Nipping out in your car on several separate occasions instead of just one means you're starting your engine up from cold every time. When an engine is cold it is least sufficient as it is said to use more fuel than a warmed-up one.
To combat this, Dace Motor Group is encouraging drivers to 'batch' all their daily errands into one large journey where possible. This is seen as more fuel-efficient as your engine will be warm and not have to heat up from scratch every time.
Avoid peak traffic
The car retailer also suggests avoiding peak times as this will help you dodge the worst traffic. By doing so you will also save on fuel as you'll spend less time burning through your petrol sitting in congestion.
So next time you need to do a grocery shop, post a parcel and pick up your kids from school, try and do it one large journey to save you some cash.
What Dace Motor Group says
On their website, Dace Motor Group said: "This one does sound too simple, but it works. A car is less efficient when the engine is cold. So, if you do a quick dash to the shop, come home, then head back out for the chemist, then later pop to pick someone up, you are making the car do its least efficient bit again and again. The better move is to tie those jobs together in one run if you can. Pick grab the parcel, up the bread, swing by the supermarket, then head home. Not every day lets you do that, of course. Life gets in the way. But even doing it a couple of times a week will help."
The RAC also backs this driving hack as a way for Brits to cut down on fuel consumption. The RAC said: "Consider making one round trip rather than several short trips. Once the engine is warm it will operate at its most efficient whereas several cold starts will increase fuel consumption even though the total mileage could be the same."
