Bedford Driving Lessons

Failing to keep cars clean is costing motorists up to £95 million a year in wasted fuel and adding to global warming. A new study by Halfords shows filthy cars carry around as much as an extra 5 kilos of dirt (11 lbs) on them in winter, as mud and road grime piles up on wheels, wheel arches and the underchassis. Even vehicles that are washed every fortnight and driven on town streets carry at least 300 grams (10 oz) of dirt in between hose downs, research by the car accessories retailer has revealed. The additional weight caused by failing to wash a car regularly means cars are running inefficiently and are wasting fuel. While the individual cost in added running costs is relatively small, UK motorists could be paying out as much as £95 million a year topping up with superfluous unleaded and diesel. With the price of fuel soaring, currently an all time high average of 128.9p a litre, this will rise further. The extra petrol and diesel used contributes a further 170,000 tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere, the equivalent annual emission from a small town with a population of 11,000. Overall the extra weight caused by winter grime means an extra 40,000 tonnes is being carried on roads, the weight of an entire fleet of supermarket lorries. Halfords Car Cleaning Expert David Howells said: “The old adage that a clean car runs better has some basis in truth. There is a small benefit in the aerodynamics of a clean body, but the biggest gain is from the less weight you are hauling around. “Keeping the bodywork and wheels clean and using a pressure washer on the wheel arches and undercarriage periodically will help with fuel economy. “A build up of mud, tar and road grime can add significant weight to the car. It’s not just for looks that we should keep our cars clean.” More