Petrol and diesel owners can save fuel this summer with DIY air con tip
Drivers may be able to cut down on fuel costs this summer with a simple DIY homemade hack.
Motorists can “save fuel” and stay cool behind the wheel by taking advantage of a “cost-effective” air conditioning trick this summer.
Most petrol and diesel owners will simply switch on the air con if they feel warm while driving but this could backfire with increased fuel costs.
Air conditioning could increase consumption by between eight and 10 percent so cutting back on its use could be vital.
Instead, simply placing a damp cloth over the air vets could be enough to blow cold air into the cabin.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at QuoteZone revealed the hack as he issued a range of summer advice to road users.
He said: “For those with cars that do not have air-con, or if they want to save fuel by not switching the cold air on, there are several cost-effective ways to ventilate the vehicle and stay cool in the car as temperatures continue to soar.”
They added: “Place a damp cloth over the vent to cool down the air blowing through it. You can also leave the windows open if you’re parked up or doing jobs in your front garden where you can keep an eye on your car.”
Experts at WhoCanFixMyCar also suggested the tip would be an ideal way to cool down a vehicle without using tools.
The motoring specialists explained: “This is a great hack as long as you’ve got time to prepare the ice or cloth before your journey.
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“Holding an ice pack in front of your air vents and turning them up will make the air a lot cooler - it’s almost as good as having air conditioning.”
Cloths are available in almost every supermarket for less than £1 making it cheap despite the ongoing cost of living crisis.
However, not everyone was onboard with the idea as HoltsAuto urged road users to not fall into the trap.
The garage stressed placing a cloth over the air vents could actually make their cars hotter than leaving it alone.
They commented: “While the cloth will make the air slightly cooler, the fact that it’s reducing airflow means your car will stay hotter for longer.
"There are other downsides, too, like the fact the cloths may create humidity or bad odours, or may even interfere with electrical components.
“There’s no guarantee the cloths will stay in place either, and the last thing you need is a soggy cloth interfering with the gearstick or pedals while you’re driving.”
