With the Kenya Meteorological Department projecting high temperatures in Nairobi and most parts of the country for the coming weeks, most motorists are prone to making common mistakes which lead to increased fuel consumption.
Some of the common mistakes that motorists make include; the use of Air Conditioning (AC) and driving with all windows open.
While many motorists use ACs or roll-down windows to regulate the temperatures inside a vehicle, car experts warn that these tendencies can lead to increased fuel consumption if the two are not done properly as explained below.
Air Conditioner
While the use of ACs during the hot weather is recommended, it is always advisable to roll down the windows of a vehicle for some minutes before turning on the AC.
This is informed by science given that rolling down windows before the use of ACs allows for the hot air in the car to get out hence making the AC more efficient when turned on.
"Drive with the windows open for a short time before using the AC. Letting hot air out of the cabin first will put less demand on the AC and help your vehicle cool faster.
"Don't idle with the AC running before driving. Turn the AC on after you begin to drive or after airing out the cabin briefly. Most AC systems will cool the vehicle faster while driving" the US Ministry of Energy states in an advisory.
On the other hand, motorists are also advised to ensure that they set the AC temperature to the lowest level as possible.
Rolling Down Windows
Driving while windows are completely rolled down can increase the consumption of fuel.
This is because when windows are rolled down, there will be a dragging effect owing to the movement of air inside the vehicle, hence more energy is needed to move the car.
Therefore, one should only roll down the windows when they are driving at a slow speed. The use of AC is recommended when driving on highways where most speed limits are past 100 kilometres per hour.
Additionally, motorists are advised to park their vehicles in shades to avoid key components such as the cabin from heating up.
