London, UK, Tuesday 28^th January, 2020 – After an expensive festive season and start to the New Year, Brits have finally made it to their long-awaited January pay day.

So that drivers can better enjoy their hard-earned money, breakdown cover provider, Green Flag, has issued a set of top car care and fuel efficiency tips to help maintain a healthy vehicle, leaving extra money for the finer things in life.

A key area when it comes to saving money is vehicle maintenance. Research commissioned by Green Flag discovered how few Brits are addressing problems with their motors efficiently. A whopping 51 per cent* confess to waiting more than two months to fix faults with their vehicles, with one in 7 (14 per cent) UK drivers reporting that they only fix faults with their car when it’s urgent, such as before an MOT check. As a result, Brits are spending a staggering £574.50** a year on car repairs, despite the fact that 47 per cent of drivers agree that repair costs could have been cheaper if they were addressed sooner.

Another area to consider when it comes to costis winter driving. During the winter, cars become less fuel efficient as a result of the cold conditions. Due to a combination of factors, including warming up the engine’s oil in cold weather, and the use of window defrosters, heaters, seat heaters, lights, and windscreen wipers, it means that winter fuel consumption is higher and motorists are paying the price. While additional winter costs are unavoidable, there are ways to minimise the consequences.  

Lucy Davies at Green Flag, commented: “When driving in the winter, the engine will always have to work harder to make things move. However, there’s still a lot that can be done to maximise fuel efficiency. We’ve compiled a set of fuel efficiency top tips to help guide drivers and save them money in the long-run.”

“At the same time, Green Flag would like to help educate drivers on the on the importance of consistent and timely vehicle maintenance. Regular car inspection, maintenance and repair will ensure that future repair costs are minimised, which is why we encourage all UK drivers not to underestimate the importance of proper car care in keeping down costs.”

To help drivers stay on top of their car finances, Green Flag, has issued tips for boosting fuel efficiency and keeping on top of car maintenance to help drivers remain as economical as possible for the remainder of the winter.

Green Flag’s Winter Fuel Efficiency Tips

1.    Don’t leave your car idle - Rather than leaving your car to idle for several minutes before driving, it’s always best to drive off straight away. Leaving your car to idle has no effect on the car’s performance, and while your vehicle is sitting in the driveway with its engine on, fuel is being wasted and polluting the air.  

Lots of drivers want to let the engine warm the car up to defrost ice on the windshield, however, it’s best to use a scraper and de-icer on the windshield to clear ice and then to get on with your journey as soon as possible to make the best use of your fuel.

2.    Avoid short trips - Try to get all your car journeys done in one longer trip, rather than heading out on lots of short journeys. As the car runs over the course of a drive it heats up to its optimum temperature, and the fuel injector gradually reduces the amount of fuel being injected into the engine. When driving short distances, the engine never reaches this optimum temperature. By linking your journeys together, you can keep the engine warmer and more fuel efficient, rather than making it start from cold every time.

3.    Limit use of electrics - Think about the electrics being used in your vehicle, and whether you need all of them on. During winter, cars use their lights more, have their heater fan running, have heated front and rear windows on to clear the frost, and might even have heated seating switched on. All these electric systems are putting a strain on the battery, which is in turn making the engine work harder and burn more fuel. Try dressing up warmer before your drive and keeping the seats off, or de-frosting your windows before driving rather than having the engine do it for you.

4.    Ensure your tyres are inflated - Make sure your tyres are properly inflated. Deflated tyres will cause additional drag and slow your car down, but it’s extra important in winter as low air temperatures cool the tyres down and reduce their pressure further, the knock-on effect of which can negatively impact fuel efficiency. Keeping your tyres healthy is always a good idea, however, it is especially important in winter when your car is facing wet and icy roads.

Green Flag’s Common-Sense Car Care Tips

Avoiding Problems

• Stick to your car’s service schedule
• Carry out basic checks by reading through your car’s handbook

On a daily basis

• Be alert for signs of change, such as the engine running less smoothly, the breaks less positive than usual, or the steering feeling vaguely odd.
• If when you start the car, the engine turns over more slowly than usual, the battery might be at the end of its life. Take it to a garage or fast fit operator; many perform battery checks for free.
• Keep an eye on the tyres. Any cuts, damage or reduction in pressure need urgent attention.
• Be aware of the fuel gauge. An empty tank or putting the wrong fuel into the car are all-too-common causes of breakdown.

Weekly

• Check tyre pressure, and if necessary adjust them to the correct level shown in the car handbook or sticker inside the fuel flap, or on the door pillar. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre and give all tyres a look over, checking for lumps, splits and cracks.
• Check and top up the windscreen washer bottle, and include an additive to tackle grease and squashed flies in summer, or ice in winter.
• Clean your car, wash the windows and wipe all the lights to keep you safe. Check for any blown bulbs.
• If your car doesn’t have a sealed-for-life battery, check the level in the cells and top up with distilled water as necessary.

Monthly

• Check the level of oil in the engine and ensure it is between maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.
• Check for sufficient liquid in the cooling system. Top up as necessary, and include antifreeze in the mixture, in winter and summer. It helps protect against overheating, as well as frost damage.
• Give the car a good wash and polish to keep the paintwork in top condition.
• Watch for the first signs of rust forming and have it treated before it gets worse. Look for signs of water leaks inside. Check tyre tread depths and look for signs of uneven wear, hinting at possible suspension problems.

For more information about how to make sure your car is road ready visit www.greenflag.com

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

*Research conducted on 2,020 drivers, March 2018, Censuswide. 

**Research conducted on 2,011 drivers, April, 2019, by Censuswide.

About Green Flag

With over 40 years' experience, Green Flag provides customers with breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a network of breakdown operators across the UK and mainland Europe (Euro Plus cover required).

Green Flag Motoring Assistance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Green Flag and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting www.greenflag.com