Petrol and diesel owners can boost their fuel economy this winter by making a vital change to their plans, according to experts.
XCite Car Leasing has admitted going to a garage for a car service could be the best thing road users can do.
Having a car checked over by mechanics will flag any issues which may be affecting the vehicle while on the road.
Regular check-ups will therefore make sure that a vehicle is in the best state it can be at all times.
This will dramatically improve the car’s overall miles per gallon (MPG) with drivers likely to see savings on their weekly fuel bill.
Xcite Car Leasing explained: “Regular maintenance and servicing on your vehicle keep it in the best condition possible and this in turn helps your fuel consumption.
‘It’s recommended to ensure the vehicle is serviced in line with the manufacturer guidelines and any maintenance work is completed as soon as possible, especially if you are travelling on long journeys.”
Wyatt Auto Services have suggested drivers can improve their MPG “quite impressively” with a simple service.
They stressed most drivers make a “mistake” by ignoring this and decide to continue running a vehicle which may be uneconomical.
The experts commented: “Servicing can improve your MPG and help you run a more efficient operation.
“This is because a service checks the spark plugs, and changes them if needed. Additionally, it takes a look at the oil levels and filter, and will change these if they are in need of it.
“It ensures that everything is moving smoothly and this will also improve the MPG as the engine runs more efficiently.”
According tp the RAC, car service prices are likely to vary based on the size of the vehicle rolled into a garage.
Owners of small vehicles will likely pay anywhere from £170 to £210 with medium-sized models being charged up to £300.
However, costs can quickly rise with a full service for a large car set to cost upwards of £400.
Halfords has explained that staying on top of basic car maintenance is likely to save road users “a lot of money” in the long run.
This is because checking over a car will also make sure it stays in the best possible condition and retains the best value possible.
Halfords said: “Keeping up with regular car servicing and maintenance may seem like a hassle at the time, but chances are it’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.
“Replacing a clogged air filter, worn spark plugs or old engine oil will all help to improve your MPG. Regular servicing will also help to retain the value of your vehicle when you come to sell.”
