As the UK slips deeper into recession we've got some top tips for money-saving motoring and eco-driving, as well as news about sat-nav safety, misfuelling and motorists' enduring obsession with mobile phones.

If you're planning to fly abroad this summer, we'll help you avoid the common pitfalls with our report on European car-hire horror stories.

And we're embracing the great outdoors this month, with a bonanza of golf features and some inspiration for those considering camping – here's to a good summer this year.

Our car test this month features Citroën's refreshed version of the C1, first seen in 2005. It's fun and easy to drive, surprisingly refined, spacious for something this small and stylish too.

I do hope you find 'Hotspots' interesting and informative. Please get in touch if you have any feedback or suggestions at [email protected]

Money-saving motoring

Though many feel powerless in the face of high fuel costs and the recession, there's a lot you can do to save yourself money. Here's our quick guide:

Sat-nav safety

Across the world driver distraction contributes to road accidents. Satellite navigation is just the latest cause as drivers are too easily seduced by the technology and adapt driving to suit the sat nav.

• You're driving. You can't blame the sat nav if you commit an offence or have an accident. It's your fault.

• What you see must take priority over what the sat nav says. If the road looks wrong, don't take it. People have been marooned in fords, driven into rivers and down railways because their sat nav 'told them to'.

Car review

Citroën C1

There was a time when budget cars were pretty grim contraptions. Devoid of any refinement, technical competence and equipment, they were hair shirts on wheels. These days the situation is much improved. Small, city-centric cars are more plentiful, polished and able. One such example is Citroën's C1.

This is a refreshed version of the C1 that first appeared in 2005. The exterior changes aren't huge, and amount to a new nose for a bolder appearance suited to the youth orientated demographic for this sector.

Petrol Panic

If you accidentally put the wrong fuel into your car, you're not alone – around 150,000 put the wrong fuel in their car each year. That's one every three and a half minutes! Modern diesels are so quiet it's easy to forget you're driving one, particularly if it's a second family car or hire car.

If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, don't turn on the ignition or start the engine as this will circulate the contaminated fuel and increase the risk of damage. Even a small amount of the wrong fuel can seriously damage the car's fuel system or reduce the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

Read more detailed advice here >>

Eco-driving tip of the month

Rolling
If you can keep the car moving all the time, so much the better.

Car-hire hell

We've recently completed a survey of hire-car outlets in popular Mediterranean resorts and our results show that UK holidaymakers looking for car hire will enter a minefield of hidden charges, complex insurances and unhelpful service.

Not one of the 60 car-hire outlets in 12 Mediterranean resorts was rated 'very good' for customer service by expert inspectors from the Eurotest consortium, of which the AA is a leading member. Only eight were 'good' and 37 were 'poor' or 'very poor'.

President's log

Long, hot summer

The roads will be busy this summer as more people will be taking holidays in the UK, according to an AA Populus Poll. The AA has dubbed this the Great British 'Staycation', a term now being used widely by the national media.

This trend was seen clearly around the recent Bank Holiday with a record 4 million drivers using our online route planner in the lead-up to the long weekend.

Read more from Edmund King about travel this summer >>

Hanging on the telephone

Two-thirds of UK drivers expect to go to jail if they cause a fatal accident while using a mobile phone, new AA research reveals. Yet 100,000 drivers at any one time still use a hand-held phone while driving.

The AA has produced a study into the problem called 'Hanging on the Telephone'.

The report also looks at 'Twitters on the highway'. Use of the phone is changing and texting is more popular.

Read a more detailed summary of the AA report 'Hanging on the Telephone >>

The vehicle scrappage scheme which started in mid-May has got off to an excellent start. The 35,000 orders taken in the first two weeks of the scheme show that the AA was right to campaign for this initiative.

This scheme shows that incentives and grants can be a catalyst for change. It will not only pump an extra £2 billion turnover into the UK's ailing car sector, but give the country's most disadvantaged and unprotected drivers a lift.

Read more about the scrappage scheme >>

Time for tee

With the US Open running until 21 June and the British Open kicking off in July, novices may be tempted to give golf a go this summer.

Whether you're a nervous newbie or a seasoned pro, you'll find our free online golf course search invaluable. It details more than 2,500 golf courses around the UK and Ireland, such as the Turnberry in Ayrshire, Scotland – where this year's British Open Championship is being held – and the Royal Lytham & St Anne's – where the Women's British Open takes place at the end of July.

Read more >>

The story of golf

Enjoy this extract from 'The Golf Tour', exclusively for 'Hotspots' subscribers, which details the history of one of Britain's most popular sports.

'The Golf Tour' is a guide to the top courses in Britain and Ireland, including 43 Championship courses. There is a complete description of each course accompanied with full colour photographs – and all the holes of each course have been individually illustrated for the publication.

Click here to open 'The Story of Golf' (Adobe Acrobat is required to open this 4.77MB PDF file)

Extreme golf

Thrillseeking golfers will enjoy playing a round against the elements on these challenging British and Irish courses.

Leadhills, South Lanarkshire
Set among the Lowther Hills at 400 metres above sea level, this is the highest golf course in Scotland. The testing course runs east from the village of Leadhills uphill towards the moorland slopes of Shiel Gair Rig. Could be nippy in winter.
More about the Leadhills

Mullion, Cornwall
Founded in 1895, the clifftop and links course lies on dramatic National Trust coastline and has sweeping views over Mount's Bay. A steep downhill on 6th and the 10th descends to the beach with a deep ravine alongside the green. This is the second-most southerly course in the British Isles.
More about the Mullion

More golf courses for thrillseekers >>

Beat the recession with a holiday under canvas

Research suggests that many camping novices will brave the great outdoors this year, to make their money go further. So whether you're a seasoned professional or a camping virgin, check out this year's award-winning campsites.

Eight sites made the grade for 2009 – but if none of the locations appeal then why not search for an AA-rated site elsewhere?
Take your pick from campsites across the UK and Ireland with our handy, free online search facility. There's even a naturist campsite if that floats your boat.

More about camping including summer music festivals >>

What's on this month

Fancy a day out but stuck for ideas? Why not take a trip to one of the following events around the UK?

Three Counties Show 19–21 June

Lichfield Festival 9–19 July

Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival 9–21 June

Glasgow International Jazz Festival 19–30 June

City of Aberdeen Highland Games 21 June

Formula One British Grand Prix 21 June

Wimbledon 22 June–5 July

Royal Highland Show 25-28 June