Alfa Romeo ALFA 159 2010, Owner'S Handbook Manual

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149-164 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:51 Pagina 158
DRIVING STYLE Gear selection CONDITIONS OF USE
As soon as the conditions of the traffic
Cold starting
Starting
and road allow, use a higher gear. Us-
Do not warm the engine with the car Short journeys and frequent cold starts
ing a low gear to obtain brilliant perfor-
at a standstill or at idle or high speed: do not allow the engine to reach opti-
mance increases consumption. In the
under these conditions the engine mum operating temperature. This results
same way improper use of a high gear
warms up much more slowly, increasing in a significant increase in consumption
increases consumption, emissions an en-
electrical consumption and emissions. It levels (from +15 to +30% on the urban
gine wear.
is therefore advisable to move off im- cycle) and emission of harmful sub-
mediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds. Top speed stances.
This way the engine will warm faster.
Fuel consumption considerably increas-
Traffic and road conditions
es with speed. Avoid superfluous brak-
Unnecessary actions
Rather high consumption levels are tied
ing and accelerating, which cost in terms
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traf- to situations with heavy traffic, for ex-
of both fuel and emissions.
fic lights or before switching off the en- ample in queues with frequent use of
gine. This and also double declutching
Acceleration
the lower gears or in cities with many
is absolutely pointless on modern cars traffic lights. Also winding mountain
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
and also increase consumption and pol- roads and rough road surfaces adverse-
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
lution. ly affect consumption.
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g.: level
crossings) the engine should be
switched off.
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