Petrol and diesel drivers could save almost £100 a year on expensive fuel costs with 'simple hack'

Despite this, recent research suggested that the UK had the third highest fuel prices across Europe, with it having the dubious honour of having the most expensive diesel costs by around 7p per litre more than the second-placed nation, Finland.

Experts are now urging motorists to boost their fuel economy by around seven per cent for petrol and diesel car owners with a "summer driving hack".

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With warmer temperatures already being felt across the UK, air conditioning is one of the largest contributors to fuel consumption when driving at lower speeds, such as in residential areas.

Instead, motorists should wind down their windows, thus creating a through-draught to prevent cooling and air ventilation.

However, when travelling longer distances along motorways and dual carriageways, the opposite should be done.

Using air conditioning when driving faster than 30mph can be more efficient because the extra drag created by open windows will negatively impact fuel economy.

John Woosey, Founder of Ripe Motorhome Insurance, said drivers could save £84.98 annually for diesel owners and £97.30 for petrol owners.

This is especially important in the summer months, with motorists saving £21.20 and £24.30 respectively.

He added: “As soaring fuel prices continue to impact motorists across the UK, driving has never been more expensive, with miles spent on the road really adding up.

"But aside from taking fewer journeys, it’s difficult to know how to drive more fuel efficiently day-to-day.

"Simple hacks such as turning off your air conditioning when driving at slower speeds may seem like a small change, but it can really add up in the long run."

Woosey also called on motorists to carry out maintenance on their air conditioning units to ensure it works at its maximum efficiency.

The RAC suggests that drivers should get a service on their air conditioning, and potentially even a change of refrigerant gas, should be done every two years.

With people looking to set off on holiday over the coming weeks and months as the weather improves, drivers are also being urged to avoid filling up at motorway service stations if they can.

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Given that they have a captive audience and very little competition along major motorway routes, service stations will often charge massively inflated prices.

Data shows drivers will pay more than 21p extra per litre when refuelling at service stations, with petrol at 166.7p and diesel at 172.74p a litre.