Do you put the heater on in the car?

johnnyroper

penrhyn wrote: »

However cars have electric cooling fans for the engine, so running the heater will delay it coming on.....swings and roundabouts.

very true but unless stuck in major traffic the cooling fan will not cut in during winter months due to low ambient temp.

johnnyroper

opinions4u wrote: »

115.9p up the road from here.

As for the OP, if it's cold then turn the heater on. The difference in fuel cost will be minimal and you're probably a hell of a lot less likely to crash when your not shivering at the steering wheel.

If you want to save on fuel, empty the junk out of the boot, make sure your tyres are in good health and maintain a steady 56mph when you're driving on a major road and the speed limit allows.

also dont have more fuel in the tank than you need as it will cost you in fuel just to carry the fuel around.

me personally i just leave climate set at a comfortable temp as i think it will use more fuel keep turning on and off as it will work harder to achieve temp if it has been turned off for a while than it does just leaving it.

custardy

renegade wrote: »

That will settle the arguments I have been having with a family member, who is too mean to put the heater on so we sit shivering and she drives in gloves and thick scarf to keep warm (er). Daft if you ask me whats the point in having heat in the winter if you don't use it!

the heater in a car is basically a radiator (the by the engine using coolant it heats anyway) and fan to blow air over it
the cost of running that fan in petrol terms is pretty small

Col7777

I know a guy who turns his wipers off in the rain when going under a bridge.

sassy_one

On most of the time, and I don't really notice any fuel loss with it on or off!

forgotmyname

The fan probably uses less than 2 Amps. A lot less than one headlight bulb.

Tell them they would be better off never driving in the dark, And NEVER EVER drive in the
rain, Wiper motors use quite a bit of power.

Gloomendoom

The rear/front screen heater uses loads of power. My old Metro used to practically stall at junctions if I turned the heated rear window on before the engine had warmed up.

winnie81

Absolutely have the heating on and bum warmers too

Strider590

Put your heater on and put your F*CKING lights ON!!! It's does NOT cost you more fuel!!

mark5

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

It may have blipped for a month or 2 but it's £1.20-£1.25 on average at the moment; and I travel around the country every week - the cheapest I've found is £1.17 at the moment.

Its about £1.16 at my local garage.