Drivers have been offered a way in which they can improve the typical fuel economy figure of many modern vehicles at the touch of a button.
With the prospect of fuel duty rising in the looming October Budget, many motorists are looking for ways in which they can reduce the amount of petrol or diesel their car consumes.
The vehicle retailer Sytner Select highlighted that one way motorists can improve their vehicle’s fuel economy is by remembering to put it in ‘eco mode’.
They advised: “Most modern cars are fitted with an ‘eco mode’ that reduces throttle responsiveness and engine power output, in turn using less fuel.
“On automatic cars, it will also shift up earlier to keep the vehicle in the most economical gear which is calculated from the engine load. By using this mode you can save around 5% of fuel.”
Many of the latest models feature different driving modes that allow a computer module to control various factors to aid either performance or fuel economy.
In ‘eco mode’, most vehicles will limit the amount of power that is available to the driver and make the throttle slightly less responsive, meaning that acceleration is not so harsh.
If a driver selects this mode in an automatic car, it may change gears at different times, often shifting less frequently and at lower revs than usual.
Whilst this feature is not available on every car, it is worth owners of more recently-built vehicles check for a button that states ‘eco mode’ or an icon that features a leaf.
Other vehicles will feature a dial or additional button that will bring up a digital menu of different driving modes, usually adding a high-performance setting and a mode that will help drivers stay safe when driving in wet or icy conditions.
If a driver is still unsure whether their vehicle features an economical driving mode, they should consult the owner’s manual that came with the model.
The advice comes after the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that the upcoming October Budget would be ‘painful’ for many residents, with many drivers forecasting that the current freeze and 5p cut on fuel duty will end.
As a result, some have stated that fuel duty could go up by 10p per litre on petrol and diesel, which would cause drivers to pay around £5 more to fill up their tank.
Over a 12-month period, those who fill up the tank of their car would likely have to pay an extra £260 in fuel if the increase goes ahead.
