With the price of fuels not to give respite, saving some euros in the warehouse has become a priority for many conductors. Interestingly, few know that on your car’s control panel there is a button that can make all the difference when reducing fuel consumption, a savings that can reach 10%.
A discreet (but powerful) button
Located next to the air conditioning commands, there is a discreet button usually identified by the symbol of a car with a curved arrow inside, known as the air recirculation button. Despite being within reach and hands, there are still few drivers who use it regularly.
According to Leasecar, quoted by TV7Dias magazine, this button allows the already cooled air to circulate inside the vehicle instead of constantly capturing hot air from the outside. Thus, the effort made by the air conditioning system is substantially reduced, which is reflected directly on fuel consumption.
How does this system work anyway?
Tim Alcock, a spokesman for Leasecar, explains that this button “cuts any external air and circulating the air already cooled inside the vehicle.” In practice, this operation prevents the system from having to work continuously to cool new air from outside, reducing the effort of the air conditioning compressor.
The use of this system is especially effective on warmer days, as it increases the speed with which the temperature inside the car low, making the environment more comfortable without consuming excess fuel.
Less effort, more savings
Bradley Jando, a Kwikfit expert, stresses that the conventional air conditioning system can increase fuel consumption to 10%, especially on short and urban trips. According to the same source, when triggering air recirculation, the driver is effectively saving energy because the system does not need to work continuously with hot air from abroad.
This savings is particularly significant during summer or at times of greater traffic congestion, when the vehicle is stopped or advanced slowly.
Other benefits of this button
In addition to fuel savings, air recirculation has other advantages that are often ignored by drivers. For example, by preventing external air entering, unpleasant odors from other cars, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic, are also prevented.
On the other hand, people suffering from allergies, such as hay fever, also benefit from this system as it significantly reduces the entry of pollen and other annoying particles in the vehicle’s cabin.
Care to take into account
However, you should not always keep the air recirculation button continuously in the car. Experts underline that the ideal is to use this mode during limited periods, especially in urban or short routes, as keeping the same air closed for a long time can decrease air quality in the cabin.
On longer trips, a combination of the recirculation system with the conventional air renewal system is advised, ensuring comfort and air quality.
A real savings within the reach of all
Leasecar also underlines that while this practice may seem simple, it is an extremely effective and practical tool within the reach of any driver to reduce monthly fuel expense.
The same source states that many automotive owners are unaware of this possibility and end up spending more money than they really need, especially at a time when each cent has.
Small tricks for great results
In addition to using the car’s recirculation button, experts recommend other strategies to reduce consumption, such as maintaining smooth driving, avoiding accelerating or locking abruptly and ensuring that the tires have the correct pressure.
However, none of these strategies is so easy to implement and to keep a simple button on the car panel.
A habit that can change your budget
By incorporating this small gesture into your driving routines, you may find a substantial reduction in fuel expenses. It concludes that, with prices so high in bombs, any savings measure can make a significant difference in the monthly budget of Portuguese families.
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