Drivers have been urged to use alternative ways to heat their cars to save money (Image: Getty)
One simple button will prove more cost-effective in heating your car compared to the vehicle’s A/C says one motoring expert. Driving in winter can be extremely unpleasant when you don’t know how to heat up your car properly.
And with wintry conditions to spill over from January and continue into February, you’ll likely need to keep heating your car for another few weeks. In fact, the latest weather maps show snow hitting several parts of the UK, even as far south as London and East Sussex, in the month of February.
With temperatures remaining low, there are more cost-effective ways to heat up your car that you might not know about. Modern cars are full of smart technology that makes driving more comfortable and convenient than ever before. But with so many functions, it can be hard to know which one to use.
Many of us go straight for the A/C function in our car when trying to heat it up, but that can actually be more costly than a simple button you can press. That is according to Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, one of the UK’s largest motor retailers.
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He revealed that for shorter drives, which people are more likely to take in colder and wetter wintry conditions, people should use smarter functions over A/C, namely localised heating for seats and steering wheels.
Many modern cars are built with these features, allowing drivers to heat certain parts of the car rather than the whole thing. This is particularly useful when you are driving on your own and don’t have to worry about other passengers being comfortable.
“Winter is when poor use of in-car technology becomes costly,” explains Welham. “Small adjustments to how you use the tech in your car can lead to noticeable savings. The beauty is, once you’ve developed better habits, they’ll benefit you all year round.”
He said that while heated steering wheels and seats seem like a luxury, they are actually a lot more cost-efficient than heating the whole car. The engine doesn’t have to work as hard, which means your tank won’t empty as fast.
Many British drivers view heated seats as essential (Image: Getty)
“Think of it as targeted heating,” Welham said. “For a quick trip to the shops or the school run, heated seats can get you comfortable without the fuel penalty of cranking up the climate control for 10 minutes.”
“For longer journeys, a combination approach works best, so try using heated features for immediate comfort while the cabin gradually warms up.”
Heated seats and steering wheels have proven popular for many UK drivers. In one Reddit thread, UK drivers revealed their love for these modern features, with many explaining that they weren’t convinced at first but grew to appreciate these functions.
“Thought it was a silly expensive luxury at first, but with leather seats and 0°C temperatures, it’s a godsend,” said one person.
Another said: “I can’t have a car without them now, and they warm up almost instantly, which is incredible on a frosty morning. No sitting in the car shivering with gloves on until the engine warms up.”
February is looking like a cold month for the UK. The Met Office has named the areas of the country that should expect snow on certain days of the month, while the latest weather maps from WXCharts show snow and low temperatures continuing through the month.
The forecaster recently issued fresh yellow weather warnings for snow in England, Scotland and Wales. Throughout the middle of the month, the Met Office expects temperatures to be average for February, with strong winds and rain at times.
This means that drivers will likely feel the chill, especially early in the morning. Towards the end of the month, the Met Office expects changeable conditions with the risk of snow remaining in some areas, especially hilly areas.
