Environmental Driving
100
•
Do not drive in a low gear for longer than necessary
Driving in lower gears uses more fuel and creates more
noise. Change up to a higher gear as soon as possible,
provided it does NOT cause the engine to labour.
•
Drive smoothly
Anticipating obstructions and slowing down well in
advance, avoids the need for unnecessary acceleration and
harsh braking. A smooth driving style not only reduces fuel
consumption, but can reduce the emission of poisonous
gases by two thirds or more.
•
Switch off the engine when waiting in traffic
When it is obvious that the car will be stationary for several
minutes or more, and provided it is safe to do so, switch
off the engine. The impact on the environment of starting
the engine again will be less than the effect of allowing the
engine to idle for 45 seconds or more.
Maintenance
•
Have the car regularly serviced
Regular servicing from a qualified technician will ensure
optimum fuel economy and minimise exhaust pollutants,
as well as effectively extending the service life of the car.
•
Check the tyre pressures regularly
Under-inflated tyres increase the rolling resistance of the
car which, in turn, increases fuel consumption. Over or
under-inflated tyres wear out more rapidly and also have a
detrimental effect on the car’s handling characteristics.
•
Do not carry unnecessary loads
The additional weight of unnecessary loads wastes fuel,
especially in stop/start conditions where the car is
frequently required to set off from stationary.
•
Remove roof racks
The additional air resistance created by roof racks and
carriers increase drag and waste fuel (an unladen roof rack
can increase fuel consumption by as much as 2 mpg (0.3
l/100km).
Summary of Contents for Seventy Five
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