The AA have put together a new item claiming that winter motoring adds around 3p per litre to already high fuel prices. Using more electrics, having to warm up the oil before it becomes efficient and using the heater are key reasons why it will use 3% more fuel than normal. The initial start up period is the worst with the AA claiming that your car could be using 40% more fuel initially when leaving your drive as it deals with your car being cold.
Other fuel consuming actions are demisting the windows, especially bad on small cars and of course getting stuck in the winter traffic jams that disappear in the summer months as people find alternative transport. As your car gets further from home and warms up consumption figures improve, depending on how long heated windows and heaters stay on.
Although not mentioned in this report, good car care can cut down on initial fuel costs, by ensure you car is tuned correctly and has the right anti freeze in. After all the AA is the largest breakdown cover organisation in the UK. And if you want to use the AA breakdown cover service, rather than ensuring your car is prepared for the winter months, then some consideration and planning should be made.