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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers are only just discovering little-known button in cars - it saves on fuel
Motorists have been urged to check their vehicles for a little-known feature that can save on fuel - and keep your car cooler during the impending heatwave slated to swelter the UK this month Brits are being urged to check their cars for an often over-looked button that can slash your petrol costs. With UK temperatures slated to soar to a scorching 30°C by mid-June, many drivers will be reaching for the air conditioning in their cars to stay cool. While whacking the air-con on full blast might feel good, Kwik Fit warns it can increase fuel consumption by between eight and 10 per cent. "Translated into litres, estimates reveal that using your air conditioning while driving can use between 0.2 and 0.4 litres per hour," the company states. However, there is a little-known hack to help with both your comfort and fuel economy, which may come in handy during the summer months. An expert from Virtual Driving Instructor recently took to TikTok to highlight the benefits of using the recirculating air button in your car, describing it as a 'life-saver on a scorcher of a day'. He explained: "When you press this button, it stops any air from outside coming through these vents, circulating the air inside the cabin." This means instead of constantly pulling in hot air from outside, the system recycles the cooler air already inside the car. Using this feature in combination with the air conditioning can be especially effective, keeping 'all the cool air inside the cabin'. The expert added: "This is going to help you not sweat your a** off inside the car, which usually ends up steaming up the inside of the car, making your windows all misty." However, the expert cautioned that if you are not using the air conditioning, you should avoid activating the recirculating air button. Without the air conditioning on, this setting will simply circulate "lukewarm air", causing the cabin to become warmer and the windows to steam up. In such cases, the expert advised that your 'only real option is to have the windows cracked down' to allow fresh air to enter and prevent the buildup of heat and moisture inside the car. Interestingly, many drivers were surprised to learn about the true purpose of this button, with one TikToker even commenting: "I have been driving for 20 years and finally understand what that button is for." So if you were none-the-wiser, fear not — you're not the only one. This often overlooked, simple yet effective feature can improve comfort and fuel efficiency during hot weather. As the summer heatwaves hit, try using the recirculating air button alongside your air conditioning to keep your car cooler and help save money on petrol and diesel — it helps save fuel primarily by making the air conditioning system more efficient But remember to turn recirculation off when you are not using the air conditioning, otherwise it can have the opposite effect and make your journey even more unpleasant in the sweltering heat.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Millions of drivers ignore ‘hidden' button that keeps your car cool in hot weather and saves on fuel
It's not the only tip motorists are sharing to keep the car cool THAT'S COOL Millions of drivers ignore 'hidden' button that keeps your car cool in hot weather and saves on fuel MILLIONS of drivers are said to ignore a "hidden" button on their car's dashboard that cools down the motor and could be a summertime saviour. When a heatwave hits, hopping back into your parked vehicle is never a pleasant process. 2 Being behind the wheel in the summer heat isn't easy - but there's a button that helps 2 Once the air is cooler in the car than out, the re-circulation button is a driver's best friend But now motorists are sharing a tip about an easy-to-miss button on the dashboard. The button is marked by a little arrow with a symbol of the car. It's called the "recirculate air" button, and it can cool down your cabin even with the air con off. According to Virtual Driving Instructor, the button could be a "life-saver on a scorcher of a day". And it also helps to save on fuel. The expert said: "When you press this button, it stops any air from outside coming through these vents, circulating the air inside the cabin." Pressing both the air conditioning and recirculating air buttons can be really helpful, as they "keep all the cool air inside the cabin". It works by cutting off the outside air, instead recirculating what's already in the car. This brings down the temperature when the air outside the car is hotter than the air inside. To ensure this is the case, blow the aircon for a couple of minutes and then hit the recirculate button - rather than swapping it for warmer outside air. NO NOISE Drivers will risk $1,000 fines if they fail to install car feature under new law – few will be exempt That could even allow you to switch the air con off, saving on fuel. Fuel prices remain high with the average price of a tank costing £75, so it could be a timely piece of financial advice. The RAC agrees and offers another tip to drivers who are looking to save cash on hot days. It said: 'Start driving, but keep the car windows open for a minute or two to let all the hot air escape, do this until the air from the vents feels cooler than the outside temperature. "Once the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air."
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Millions of drivers ignore ‘hidden' button that keeps your car cool in hot weather and saves on fuel
MILLIONS of drivers are said to ignore a "hidden" button on their car's dashboard that cools down the motor and could be a summertime saviour. When a heatwave hits, hopping back into your parked vehicle is never a pleasant process. 2 2 But now motorists are sharing a tip about an easy-to-miss button on the dashboard. The button is marked by a little arrow with a symbol of the car. It's called the "recirculate air" button, and it can cool down your cabin even with the air con off. According to Virtual Driving Instructor, the button could be a "life-saver on a scorcher of a day". And it also helps to save on fuel. The expert said: "When you press this button, it stops any air from outside coming through these vents, circulating the air inside the cabin." Pressing both the air conditioning and recirculating air buttons can be really helpful, as they "keep all the cool air inside the cabin". It works by cutting off the outside air, instead recirculating what's already in the car. This brings down the temperature when the air outside the car is hotter than the air inside. To ensure this is the case, blow the aircon for a couple of minutes and then hit the recirculate button - rather than swapping it for warmer outside air. NO NOISE Drivers will risk $1,000 fines if they fail to install car feature under new law – few will be exempt That could even allow you to switch the air con off, saving on fuel. Fuel prices remain high with the average price of a tank costing £75, so it could be a timely piece of financial advice. The RAC agrees and offers another tip to drivers who are looking to save cash on hot days. It said: 'Start driving, but keep the car windows open for a minute or two to let all the hot air escape, do this until the air from the vents feels cooler than the outside temperature. "Once the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air." Four-step guide to keeping car cool By Jacob Jaffa First of all, start driving for a couple of minutes before turning on the AC as this can improve it's power. Consumer Reports experts said: "Your car air conditioning works much better when you're actually driving because the faster the engine turns, the faster the AC compressor runs, which lets the system cool more effectively. "Don't waste time and fuel by letting your car run before you go." Once you're up and running, open all the windows fully for between 10 and 20 seconds to let hot air out and make the air con's job easier. Then, when cold air has started to come through the vent, roll up the front windows but keep the rear windows cracked open. Doing this for another 10 to 20 seconds will pull the cooler air through into the back of the car, helping to achieve a better all-around chill. Finally, set the temperature as low as it will go and adjust the fan speed and aim to your preference
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Millions of drivers ignore ‘hidden' button that keeps your car cool in hot weather and saves on fuel
MILLIONS of drivers are said to ignore a "hidden" button on their car's dashboard that cools down the motor and could be a summertime saviour. When a heatwave hits, hopping back into your parked vehicle is never a pleasant process. Advertisement 2 Being behind the wheel in the summer heat isn't easy - but there's a button that helps 2 Once the air is cooler in the car than out, the re-circulation button is a driver's best friend But now motorists are sharing a tip about an easy-to-miss button on the dashboard. The button is marked by a little arrow with a symbol of the car. It's called the According to Virtual Driving Instructor, the button could be a "life-saver on a scorcher of a day". Advertisement And it also helps to save on fuel. The expert said: "When you press this button, it stops any air from outside coming through these vents, circulating the air inside the cabin." Pressing both the air conditioning and recirculating air buttons can be really helpful, as they "keep all the cool air inside the cabin". It works by cutting off the outside air, instead recirculating what's already in the car. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest This brings down the temperature when the air outside the car is hotter than the air inside. To ensure this is the case, blow the aircon for a couple of minutes and then hit the recirculate button - rather than swapping it for warmer outside air. NO NOISE Drivers will risk $1,000 fines if they fail to install car feature under new law – few will be exempt That could even allow you to switch the air con off, saving on fuel. Fuel prices remain high with the average price of a tank costing £75, so it could be a timely piece of financial advice. Advertisement The It said: 'Start driving, but keep the car windows open for a minute or two to let all the hot air escape, do this until the air from the vents feels cooler than the outside temperature. "Once the air conditioning is blowing cold, close all the windows and switch to (pre-cooled) recirculated air." Four-step guide to keeping car cool By Jacob Jaffa First of all, start driving for a couple of minutes before turning on the AC as this can improve it's power. Consumer Reports experts said: "Your "Don't waste time and fuel by letting your car run before you go." Once you're up and running, Then, when cold air has started to come through the vent, roll up the front windows but keep the rear windows cracked open. Doing this for another 10 to 20 seconds will pull the cooler air through into the back of the car, helping to achieve a better all-around chill. Finally, set the temperature as low as it will go and adjust the fan speed and aim to your preference
