Motorists urged to drive with a bowl of water in car from Wednesday

By Alex Evans, Deputy Audience Editor

Drivers are being told to drive with a bowl of water in the passenger seat (Image: Alex Evans)

Motorists are being urged to drive everywhere with a bowl of water in the passenger seat from Wednesday.

The advice comes as fuel prices are set to rise again according to financial experts as Labour eyes up a potential fuel duty hike in its first Autumn Budget on Wednesday.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce her first budget on Wednesday, October 30 and in it, drivers fear being hit with fuel duty increased of as much as 7p per litre on petrol and diesel.

The change at the pumps could be instant as well, and does not have to be implemented from next April like most tax changes.

It means drivers could find themselves paying much more overnight for a tank of petrol or diesel.

Motoring experts at ChooseMyCar.com have urged drivers to consider a few rather unusual fuel saving tips to bring into your drive this winter to help keep your petrol costs as low as you can manage.

The first is to keep a bowl of water in the passenger seat.

The experts said: "Keeping an open bowl of water on your passenger seat is a great deterrent for unnecessary acceleration and braking."

"It sounds a bit strange, but it is a simple and brilliant reminder to drive gently. If you hit the accelerator too hard, you'll see water pour out the sides. Likewise, if you're driving too fast and braking hard you'll notice water on the seat. The best bowls to use for this are small cereal bowls, with water about an inch from the top."

Other experts' tips include:

Park facing the morning sun

You might have to buy a compass - but this simple fuel saving hack will save you money. During winter months, if you've parked facing the morning sun, you'll spend less time running the car to warm it up or to demist your windscreen.

Reverse park to face front

Did you know that by reversing into a parking space (or ensuring you are facing forward when you park) you will save fuel? Your car uses less fuel with a warm engine, so reverse parking when you arrive saves fuel, compared to reversing out with a cold engine when you leave.

Use your garage as an actual garage

By keeping your car warm in a garage, you will keep it at a better temperature for fuel economy. This will reduce your fuel consumption by using less air conditioning to heat or cool your car.

Empty your car out

Excess weight in your car can be a real fuel burner. It's good practice to empty your car out daily - especially if you have particularly heavy items in there. So make sure you don't drive to work on Monday morning with your golf clubs still in the boot!

Just don't do it

Consider biking or walking to your destination. Not only will you save money on fuel, you can probably cancel your gym membership too. As a quick example, if your journey to work is five miles, you would save £416 per year - and boost your steps by 10,000 a day!