Button found on most car models’ wheels could save hundreds on fuel – but only if used right, say motoring experts
BRITS can make massive petrol and diesel savings this year thanks to a common button found on their car's steering wheel.
But the RAC have warned drivers must use the method correctly or risk spending even more money on fuel.
The cruise control button, which can be found on the steering wheel of most modern motors, can make a huge difference when trying to save on petrol or diesel, according to motoring specialists at .
They say driving faster than the speed limit can result in a major rise in fuel consumption - and that drivers should instead maintain a steady speed.
Xcite Car Leasing said: “Speeding can increase your fuel consumption, and of course, be dangerous to yourself and other road users.
“Keep to the speed limits and use cruise control if your car has this function to maintain a steady speed.
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"And it’s recommended you set your cruise control a few miles below the actual speed limit in case your odometer is slightly off.”
Major car brand Kia has claimed the button can help drivers boost fuel economy from anywhere between seven and 14 percent, according to the .
However, this fuel-saving technique only works within certain constraints.
Cruise control will only save fuel if it's used on flat surfaces - such as motorways, experts at the RAC have warned.
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In fact, using the feature on different gradients will have the opposite effect.
They said: “If you were to use your cruise control regularly, not on flat roads, you would encounter problems that would increase your fuel consumption.
“This is because your cruise control would be slower to react to gradient changes, meaning when reaching the brow of a hill – at which point you would normally take your foot off the accelerator to maintain more of a constant speed when descending – your cruise control will keep the power on for a little longer as it’s unable to see the gradient change in front of you.
"Driving in this way regularly would lead to worse fuel consumption.”
This comes as an expert driving instructor warn motorists that a common feature in modern cars could actually be dangerous when indicating.
Elsewhere, a driver received a "rare apology" after his £100 speeding fine was overturned due to a bizarre loophole.
