Millions of drivers are using their cars as portable storage units, driving around with junk, household items and general clutter that could be costing them money.
Not only does the junk add weight to a car but it means it’s less easy to get to a spare wheel and check its pressure if needed and it could be underinflated.
Michelin says more than half of motorists in Wales keep non-essential items in their car.
More than a quarter say they simply can’t be bothered de-cluttering their cars, while around a quarter admits they only have a car clean-out once every few months at best.
Many of us fail to clear out our cars ahead of long journeys, with one in six leaving cars cluttered before a big trip despite the fact more than half believe they should make sure their vehicle is cleared out before taking off.
Keeping lots of non-essential items in the car in this way can weigh it down, ultimately making it less fuel efficient and costing money.
Jamie McWhir, Michelin UK technical manager, said: “The research highlighted that we really are a nation of car hoarders. But carrying around all these unnecessary items is costing UK drivers cash because they will be using more fuel.
“It’s important to carry seasonally-essential and safety items such as de-icer and oil, but Michelin is calling on drivers to ditch the junk to power up their day to day fuel economy.”
According to the study by Michelin, which surveyed drivers across the UK, we are driving around with a host of unnecessary items for months on end, everything from shoes (31%), cleaning products (36%), books (26%), magazines (20%), toys and children’s accessories (18%), pet accessories (16%), work related items (16%) sports equipment and even sleeping bags (8%).
