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Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed. Fuel consumption,
exhaust emissions and noise Levels all increase
very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving at moder
ate speeds will help to save fuel.
Do not let the engine idle for longer than
necessary
Engine idling periods are automatically reduced
on vehicles with start/stop system*. On vehicles
without start/stop system*, it is worthwhile
switching off the engine at Level crossings, for in
stance, or at traffic lights with a Long red phase.
The fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is great
er than the amount of fuel needed to restart the
engine.
The engine takes a very Long time to warm up
when it is running at idling speed. Mechanical
wear and pollutant emissions are also especially
high during this initial warm-up phase. It is
therefore best to drive off immediately after
starting the engine. Avoid running the engine at
high speed.
Regular servicing
Regular servicing can establish a basis for good
fuel economy before you start driving. A well
serviced engine gives you the benefit of
im
proved fuel efficiency
as well as maximum relia
bility and an enhanced resale value.
A poorly maintained engine can consume up to
ten percent more fuel than necessary.
Check the
oil level
when filling the tank.
Oil con
sumption
depends to a great extent on the en
gine load and engine speed. It is quite normal
that the oil consumption of a new engine only
reaches its lowest level after a certain mileage.
This means that the oil consumption can only be
properly assessed after about 5,000 km. Depend
ing on your personal driving style, oil consump
tion can be up to 0.5 Ltr./1,000 km.
Avoid short trips
The engine and emission control system need to
reach their
proper working temperature
in order
to minimise fuel consumption and emissions .
Driving
A cold engine uses disproportionately more fuel.
The engine only reaches its working temperature
after about
four
kilometres, when fuel consump
tion will return to a normal level.
Check tyre pressures
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the
correct tyre pressures to save fuel. If the tyre
pressures are just 0.5 bar too Low, this can in
crease the fuel consumption by as much as 5 %.
Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-infla
tion also increases
tyre wear
and impairs han
dling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked
when the tyres are
cold.
Do not use
winter tyres
all through the year; they
will increase fuel consumption by up to 10 %.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
Every kilo of
extra weight
will increase the fuel
consumption, so it is worth checking the Luggage
compartment occasionally to make sure that no
unnecessary Loads are being transported.
Save electrical energy
The engine drives the alternator to generate elec
tricity. This means that fuel consumption rises
when more power is required for electrical equip
ment. Switch off electrical equipment when it is
not needed. Electrical equipment which uses a
Lot of electricity includes the blower (at a high
setting), the rear window heating and the seat
heating*.
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