BBC This Morning Live expert explains why you should always reverse onto your drive

A BBC This Morning Live expert has finally settled the debate that's been on every driver's mind - is reversing onto your drive more fuel-efficient than driving in forwards?

On the programme, with presenters Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, consumer guru Harry Kind revealed that it does indeed make a significant difference.

He also shared insights on how just a slight reduction in motorway speeds can lead to substantial savings. His appearance came as welcome news to motorists, coinciding with a 2p drop in fuel prices in May, marking the lowest average pump price in nearly four years, according to RAC Fuel Watch's latest figures.

Despite the decrease, fuel costs remain high, averaging at 132.3p per litre for petrol and 138.4p for diesel. Mr Kind emphasised the importance of driving habits in fuel conservation: "What makes a huge difference way more than the price of fuel is how you drive. A weird one to start with which is quite fun is that you should reverse into your parking space to save fuel."

“It doesn’t seem like it would save you too much fuel.” Cheeky host Gethin Jones said to co-presenter Helen Skelton: “Not if you’re attempting it 8-10 times.” Helen punched Gethin’s arm in reply.

Mr Kind said: "If you're going to attempt it 8-10 times you're better doing that at the end of your journey, when your engine is nice and warm and efficient it's not wasting too much fuel rather than at the beginning of your journey when starting your car, it's got a cold engine and it can be up to 25 time less efficient than with a warmed up engine.

"And so if you're going to be faffing around with a parking space do that at the end of your journey when your car's hot not at the beginning."

• Reverse onto your driveway - your car is more efficient at the end of a journey than at the start for difficult manoeuvres which might need to be carried out a few times (if reversing off with cold engine it would be less efficient)
• Reducing speed on motorways to 70mph (speed limit) saves 25 per cent
• Plan journey - do one 25 mile outing rather than multiple trips
• Close car windows at high speeds to reduce drag

Helen Skelton chimed in: "So I can faff - at the end of the journey."

To which Mr Kind recommended: "But I would also say reduce your faffing by combining as many journeys into one as possible. It's better to take on 25 mile journey than 25 one mile journey."

Mark explained more: "When you are motoring along I would say reduce your speed. This is one of the biggest factors. The Department for Transport says that going down from 80 to 70 miles per hour saves you 25 per cent on your fuel and also it's not illegal."

He added: "Then when you go down from 70 to 60 that will save you about 9 per cent. The savings get less and less as you get slower and slower."

Last but not least, he advised drivers on cruising efficiently: "When you're driving along at those speeds make sure you're going consistent, you're not breaking all the time and ideally use cruise control."

Rav Wilding revealed his car 'shouts at me' when he drives with the windows down, wondering if it's truthful about fuel waste. Mr Kind confirmed: "It's kind of telling the truth - if you were driving very fast then keeping your windows down will increase drag. That is bad for your car.

"If you're going slowly your air con is probably going to use a lot more fuel so it would be worth opening the windows on a hot day through a city to get rid of the hot air inside and if you are going to use air con use the recirculation mode. That will keep the cost down, but ultimately going down the motorway with your windows down - not so great."