Drivers are being urged to crank up their cars' air con over winter to keep their motors running more smoothly for longer.
Experts at the RAC claim air con isn't just for the warmer summer months and that blasting the air con in winter is an 'essential' part of car maintenance that can help save cash.
Travel, motoring and maintenance expert Barney Cotton claims making use of it could save chilly drivers cash on repair work down the line by using it throughout winter.
It might seem counterintuitive to use it when the mercury dips, however the air con system performs an important function beyond cooling the driver and passengers down.
The warm air from the system can be useful in helping demist windows and as the air coming out of the vents is dry it also acts as a dehumidifier.
If a car's air con is left off for long periods of time, it can cause seals to dry out potentially leading to refrigerant slowly escaping.
Not flicking the switch on the air con regularly can also cause odour issues, thanks to a build-up of bacteria and mould.
By using it regularly throughout the year it can keep the system dry and pong free.
Barney said: "Should I use the air-con in winter too?
"In a word, absolutely. In fact consider it an essential part of car maintenance that could save you money on repair work further down the line.
"First and foremost using warm air from the system in winter is a great way to demist windows.
"The air coming out of the vents is dry, so the air-con acts as a dehumidifier.
"If air conditioning is left unused for long periods, seals can dry out, refrigerant may slowly escape and moving components such as the compressor clutch can be more prone to issues.
"The air-con is filled with a refrigerant and some oil, and it pays to keep that liquid flowing and the components lubricated.
"A smelly car air-con system is usually caused by mould, bacteria and moisture building up inside the ventilation system, particularly if the air conditioning hasn't been used regularly.
"The best way to prevent a smelly air-con system is to run the air conditioning regularly throughout the year, even in winter.
"This helps keep the system dry, reduces the build-up of mould and bacteria and keeps the components in good working order."
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