Fuel consumption is likely to be higher in winter (Image: Getty)
and owners are set to rapidly , with temperatures set to cause havoc to vehicles, according to experts.
Specialists at have warned that cold weather is likely to lead to “significant fuel inefficiencies”.
It could even see road users , possibly blowing a hole in Christmas budgets.
In fact, new research has revealed drops by approximately 15% in colder months.
However, this can increase up to a massive 24% for short journeys only three to five miles long.
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Colder temperatures can cause key components to work harder (Image: Getty)
Drew Hickman, a motoring expert at warned components can take longer to heat up in the winter.
This means key parts are forced to work harder, using up more fuel than they would do during milder weather over the summer.
Drew said: “Engines require more fuel to reach normal operating temperature in cold weather, as the difference in ambient and operating temperatures is greater in winter. This means it takes longer for engines to warm up.”
Meanwhile, Drew suggested that motorists are likely to experience frequent acceleration and braking over the winter with more cars likely to be on the road.
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Stop-and-go traffic in busy areas such as shopping centres near Christmas can also contribute to an increase in fuel use.
Drew added: “Cold weather affects tyre traction, which increases rolling resistance. This means your engine has to work harder to keep the vehicle moving.”
stressed that fuel use is usually higher in the winter due to a “simple physical phenomenon”.
They commented: “The cold, dry air in winter is denser than it is in the summer. And so is the fuel. Since the engine runs on a mixture of air and petrol, it consumes more fuel with the same volume.”
However, the financial impact may not be as significant as in recent years with petrol and diesel costs on the way down.
, average petrol prices stand at 135.72p per litre, the lowest since September 2021.
Meanwhile, diesel has also spectacularly fallen this year with average rates nationally at 140.85p per litre.
This is down from 158p per litre back in May and is the cheapest diesel has been priced since October 2021.