Category: Servicing and Maintenance

Driving can be an expensive undertaking, so it can pay dividends to improve the efficiency of your vehicle to mean you’re using less fuel to get from A to B.

There’s plenty of advice out there around how to do this effectively, but here we offer a few simple suggestions that could see you dramatically cutting the cost of your daily travel. Read on to find out more!

How to make your journeys more efficient

Here are five simple tips that could save you a considerable amount of money by making your vehicle more efficient on the road:

1. Remove excess weight

Key to fuel efficiency is the amount of weight that your vehicle’s engine is being asked to move, so an easy way to boost your fuel economy is to simply declutter and take out anything that you don’t need to be transporting from place to place.

This can easily be achieved by removing any unnecessary items from your boot and the interior of the vehicle.

2. Plan your journeys in advance

Getting lost can be a real headache and it can add significant cost to any journey. As a result, it’s important to know precisely where you are going and how you will get there before embarking.

A sat-nav can be a handy tool to ensure you are always following the correct path to reach your destination with a minimum of detours and traffic, while technologies like Google Maps can let you scout out routes ahead of time to know what to expect along your journey.

3. Stick to the speed limit

The amount of fuel that your engine will use can rise dramatically when you are asking your vehicle to travel faster. Indeed, research shows that a vehicle travelling at 80 mph will consume ten per cent more fuel than one travelling at 70 mph, so it always pays to stick to the speed limit.

Moreover, smoother driving will help to ensure you are asking less of your vehicle’s engine, so always look ahead up the road to anticipate any potential hazards and avoid sharp braking and acceleration where possible to maximise efficiency.

4. Keep your tyres at the proper pressure

Improperly inflated tyres can have a drastic impact on the amount of fuel that you use. According to the RAC, you could be reducing your fuel efficiency by up to two per cent if your vehicle’s tyres aren’t at the correct pressure.

To address any problems with tyre pressure, simply refer to your vehicle’s manual to find out your recommended psi for front and rear tyres. This can then be easily addressed by inflating or deflating each tyre to reach the desired pressure.

5. Carry out regular maintenance

One essential step to improving the efficiency of your vehicle is to ensure it is being regularly maintained and the multitude of parts to be found on your vehicle are all in good working order.

At MyService.Expert we offer discounts on parts and labour when you have your vehicle checked and serviced at any one of thousands of garages up and down the country.

Our nationwide network of providers means you can always find a garage close to you and we can help to significantly cut the cost of keeping your vehicle in the best possible condition.

Keeping on top of the maintenance of your vehicle should be a top priority for every driver. This means carrying out some regular checks to ensure everything is in good working order and functioning as it should.

One area to pay attention to is the pressure of your vehicle’s tyres, as improperly inflated tyres can not only impact the efficiency of your vehicle, they can even pose a risk to safety if left unchecked for too long.

Why is tyre pressure so important?

Ideally, you should be checking the state of your vehicle’s tyres before embarking on every journey. However, when it comes to measuring tyre pressures, it’s understandable if this isn’t done for every trip.

Most new cars will have automatic detection if your tyre pressures begin to fall, but for older models you will have to check them manually and this is recommended every week.

To do so, remove the tyre valve dust cap and attach a pressure gauge. Refer to your vehicle’s manual for recommended tyre pressures and adjust them accordingly. Make sure to check all tyres in this manner.

Furthermore, remember to bear in mind that the outside temperature can affect the pressure of your tyres. In cold temperatures they will fall and during periods of high temperature, they can increase.

What are the dangers of poor tyre maintenance?

When you fail to keep an eye on the state of your tyres, you run the risk of suffering a serious accident. Improperly inflated tyres can affect the handling of your vehicle and issues like a slow puncture can lead to a blowout.

As such, it’s not just ensuring that your tyres are inflated to the proper psi that should be a priority, you should also be looking at them regularly to ensure they are in a satisfactory condition to work safely and well.

This means regularly carrying out a visual inspection of the full circumference of each tyre and looking for any signs of excessive wear and tyre, lumps, breaks in the tyre’s surface or anything else out of the ordinary.

Remember that the legal minimum tread depth for tyres in the UK stands at 1.6 mm and this depth should span the full circumference of the tyre. You can check this easily by inserting a 20p piece into the tread of each tyre, and if the outer band surrounding the coin is obscured, then the tyre is fine to continue to be used.

MyService.Expert offers a nationwide network of garages where drivers can take their vehicles for a regular check-up. We offer discounts on all parts and labour, so keeping your vehicle in a good condition won’t have to cost you a fortune.

Keeping on top of the maintenance of your vehicles should be a top priority for all owners and operators. Failing to spot the early signs of wear and tear or any potential issues can prove highly costly in the long run.

As a result, fleet operators should have a checklist of all the common issues that can arise with their vehicles, and they should be taking the time to go through this list of essential checks with drivers and those who look after the wellbeing of their fleet.

What should your checklist include?

Key to keeping your vehicles in prime condition is the acronym FLOWER, which stands for:

• Fuel: Always ensure you have sufficient fuel to complete your journeys, or factor in pit stops to fill up on the way. Running out of fuel – or putting the wrong type of fuel into an engine – can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage.
• Lights: All lights should illuminate correctly to ensure proper visibility both for the driver and for other road users. Check that headlights work and are correctly positioned, while reversing lights and signals must also be fully functional.
• Oil: Failure to maintain the proper oil level in the engine can cause considerable damage, so check this regularly. The average car will consume up to one litre of oil for every 1,000 miles travelled, so always keep an eye on it.
• Water: Cooling is important to ensure your engine does not overheat, so top up water levels often. If you notice that the level drops fairly rapidly after filling, this could be a sign of a leak and should be investigated further.
• Electrics: Battery issues are the number one cause of breakdowns in the UK, so check it regularly to ensure it is in good working order and charging properly. Flat batteries can be a real headache for drivers, so it pays to carry a set of jump leads in your vehicle at all times.
• Rubber: Your vehicle’s tyres are one of the most important parts of the vehicle. They provide all the grip your vehicle has for handling, braking and staying under the driver’s control. As such, check them regularly for signs of wear and tear, ensuring the tyre tread depth is above the legal minimum of 1.6 mm.

How often should you be carrying out checks?

Our best advice is to ensure regular maintenance checks are carried out on every vehicle within your fleet and this means assessing things like the state of tyres, that all lights are functioning correctly and that water/fluid levels are topped up every time you take a journey.

That said, fleet operators should be carrying out a more in-depth service of their vehicles in line with their manufacturer’s recommendations. In most cases, this equates to around every 12,000 miles or once a year, although there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to vehicle servicing.

A good rule of thumb is to keep an up-to-date log of all vehicle mileage; the more miles they cover, the more often they will need to be serviced.

At MyService.Expert, we offer access to a nationwide network of garages and mechanics who are highly skilled in spotting the early signs of wear and tear and who can make all the difference in prolonging the longevity of your vehicles’ wellbeing.

Sign up to our service and you’ll also enjoy fantastic savings on parts and labour, making the upkeep of your fleet that much more affordable in the long-term.

If you want to start saving your diesel & petrol bills, then look no further than Fuel Card Services. Get in touch with our team today and see what we can do for you.

When you’re behind the wheel on a hot day and need to cool down, it’s a common question: Should you turn on the air conditioning or just close the window?

Granted, it’s not the most crucial decision you’ll ever have to make regarding your car, but it’s always worth being fully informed so you can make the right call to boost fuel efficiency and maintain the health of your vehicle.

 

Benefits of using AC throughout the year

There are some significant benefits to using your air-con regularly over the year, as consistent use reduces the risk of the system seizing up and stops circulation from deteriorating.

Refrigerant and oil are required for your car’s A/C to work, so it’s a good idea to turn it on regularly to keep the liquid flowing and the system’s components lubricated.

During the winter, turning on the A/C to generate warm air is a good way to clear misty windows. The air from the vents is dry and acts as a dehumidifier.

 

How does car AC work?

A car’s air conditioning (AC) system cools the air inside the cabin by circulating refrigerant.

When the AC is turned on, the compressor, powered by the engine, compresses the refrigerant gas and sends it to the condenser. The condenser, usually located at the front of the car, cools the refrigerant by releasing heat and turning it from a gas into a high-pressure liquid.

This liquid refrigerant then travels through a series of pipes to the expansion valve or orifice tube, which expands rapidly and cools as it turns into a low-pressure liquid-gas mixture.

The refrigerant then flows through the evaporator inside the cabin, absorbing heat from the air. As the refrigerant evaporates, it cools the air inside the cabin, which is blown out through the vents by the blower fan. The refrigerant, now a warm gas, returns to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

This continuous process removes heat from the cabin, providing cold air and keeping the car’s interior comfortable during hot weather.

This guide shows how you can effectively manage your fleet to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Does car AC use fuel or battery?

Car air conditioning (AC) systems typically use the engine’s power, which relies on fuel rather than the car’s battery.

The engine drives the AC through a belt connected to the compressor, which is the component responsible for circulating the refrigerant. When the AC is turned on, the engine uses extra fuel to power the compressor. Running the AC can reduce fuel efficiency since the motor works harder.

However, in electric vehicles (EVs), the AC system runs off the battery, as there is no traditional internal combustion engine. The energy needed to power the AC is drawn from the vehicle’s electric battery, which can reduce the driving range when the AC is used extensively.

 

Should I have the window open?

When driving in hot weather, your first thought might be to open the windows. However, if the air conditioner runs simultaneously, opening the windows could make it harder to cool the car down.

Keeping the A/C on and the windows open isn’t particularly economical. Running the air conditioner puts additional strain on the engine, which consumes fuel. Still, an open window eliminates this effect by allowing cool air to escape and letting warm air in from the outside.

A handy rule of thumb is that keeping the windows closed will make the air conditioner more effective if it’s hotter and more humid outside the car than inside.

Read here about how efficient driving can reduce fuel costs.

Fuel efficiency whilst running the A/C or opening car windows

Fuel efficiency is another factor when switching the A/C or opening the window.

Both options impact your fuel consumption in some way. Opening windows means more drag on the car, slows it down and means the engine has to work harder and use more fuel. Air-con also places a demand on the engine and increases your fuel consumption.

In 2004, General Motors conducted several surveys to determine which option was more fuel-efficient. Keeping the windows down and the air conditioner off is probably more economical.

In really hot weather, however, you might not get the same cooling benefits from outside air as you do from your car’s A/C system.

Air-con needs to be checked and monitored like all vehicle components to keep it healthy. Getting the system re-gassed is often the best way to improve performance.

Regular servicing and maintenance ensures your car is always safe, comfortable and reliable. MyService.Expert from Fuel Card Services makes it easy to look after your car with access to thousands of garages all over the UK.

Find out more information in our guide about MyService.Expert here.

 

How to fix car AC not blowing cold air

If your car’s AC is not blowing cold air, multiple potential causes exist.

Check AC setting

Start by checking the AC settings to ensure the system is turned on, the fan speed is set appropriately, and the mode is correctly set to “cool.” A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, so check and replace it if needed.

AC low refrigerant levels and AC leaks

Another common cause of warm air is low refrigerant levels, which prevent the AC system from cooling properly. If the refrigerant is low, you can use a recharge kit, or you may need to have a professional inspect the system for leaks. Leaks in the refrigerant system can also cause cooling issues, and if you suspect this, a mechanic will need to perform a detailed inspection.

Malfunctioning AC compressor

A malfunctioning compressor can be another culprit, as it circulates refrigerant through the system; listen for unusual noises, and if the compressor is faulty, it may require replacement. Additionally, a dirty or blocked condenser can prevent proper cooling, so make sure it’s clean and debris-free.

AC blower fan

If the blower fan is not functioning correctly, this can also affect the airflow, and you may need to replace the motor or fan relay. Remember to check the AC fuse and relay, as a blown fuse can prevent the system from working.

AC control valve

Lastly, if the temperature control valve is malfunctioning, it might cause warm air to blow even when the system is on. If you’ve tried these steps and the issue persists, taking your car to a professional mechanic for further inspection and repairs is a good idea.

 

How much to fix AC in a car in the UK

The cost of fixing a car’s AC in the UK can vary depending on the specific issue and the make and model of the vehicle.

For simple problems, like recharging the refrigerant, you can expect to pay between £50 and £150. However, the costs can rise significantly if the system leaks or a component, such as a compressor or condenser, increases significantly.

Replacing a compressor, including parts and labour, can cost between £400 and £700, while replacing a condenser may cost between £250 and £500.

If the issue concerns electrical components or a faulty blower motor, you might incur costs between £150 and £400.

Remember that labour costs can also vary based on location, with rates typically ranging from £50 to £100 per hour.

How to cool car without AC & opening windows: other cooling methods

Cooling a car without air conditioning can be challenging, but there are other methods you can try to stay comfortable on hot days.

Another option is to use the vents: point the airflow towards your body or use the fan at a higher speed to encourage air circulation. If your car has a sunroof, opening it slightly can help create airflow and release heat.

To keep the interior cooler in advance, park in the shade whenever possible or use a windshield sunshade to block sunlight from entering through the front window.

Another option is to cover the seats with a light-coloured towel or cloth, as dark seats can absorb more heat.

If your car gets extremely hot in the sun, you can also place a small portable fan inside the vehicle.

For extra comfort, cool down your steering wheel and seats with a damp cloth or keep a spray bottle of water handy to mist yourself occasionally.

For longer-term solutions, consider installing aftermarket cooling options, such as portable fans or sunshades, designed to reduce the heat inside your car.

Learn our 7 top tips for driving in a heatwave today.

 

Ensure your AC is in top condition with Fuel Card Services

MyService.Expert offers a comprehensive and efficient fleet vehicle servicing, maintenance, and repairs solution.

The integrated system ensures cost clarity, streamlined billing, and better control over vehicle maintenance.  Get your free quote now and experience the convenience and savings of MyService.Expert for your fleet.