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Drivers can cut fuel bills by grouping everyday errands into a single journey.
Car dealership Dace Motor Group has urged motorists to combine multiple short outings into one linked loop.
Repeated cold starts force an engine to warm up from scratch, burning extra petrol or diesel.
Motorists frequently make separate dashes to shops, schools or pharmacies across a single day.
Returning home between each chore lets the engine cool down completely before the next journey.
A representative for Dace Motor Group said: "This one does sound too simple, but it works.
"A car is less efficient when the engine is cold.
"So, if you do a quick dash to the shop, come home, then head back out for the chemist, then later pop to pick someone up, you are making the car do its least efficient bit again and again.
"The better move is to tie those jobs together in one run if you can.
"Grab the parcel, pick up the bread, swing by the supermarket, then head home.
"Not every day lets you do that, of course.
"Life gets in the way.
"But even doing it a couple of times a week will help."
Guidance from the RAC also supports batching errands to reduce overall fuel consumption.
The motoring organisation notes in its advice: "Consider making one round trip rather than several short trips.
"Once the engine is warm it will operate at its most efficient whereas several cold starts will increase fuel consumption even though the total mileage could be the same."
Keeping an engine at its standard operating temperature reduces fuel burn even if the total distance driven remains identical.
Drivers are also advised to schedule trips outside peak hours to avoid idling in heavy traffic.
Avoiding congestion prevents vehicles from burning fuel unnecessarily while stuck in queues.