document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 196 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17
196
Your vehicle and the environment
Do not let the engine idle for longer than necessary
How to improve economy and
minimise pollution
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic
jam, at level crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The
fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of
fuel needed to restart the engine.
Fuel economy, environmental impact and wear on the engine,
brakes and tyres depend largely on the way you drive the vehicle. By
adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic
situation ahead, you can reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. The
following section gives you some tips on lessening the impact on
the environment and reducing your operating costs at the same
time.
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
Anticipate well in advance
Regular servicing can establish a basis for good fuel economy
before you start driving. A well-serviced engine gives you the
benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maximum reliability
and an enhanced resale value. A badly tuned engine can consume
up to ten percent more fuel than necessary.
A car uses most fuel when accelerating. If you anticipate hazards
and speed changes well in advance, you will need to brake less and
thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let the car slow down grad-
ually with a gear engaged, for instance when you can see that the
next traffic lights are red. This takes advantage of the engine
braking effect, reducing wear on the brakes and tyres. Emissions
and fuel consumption will drop to zero due to the overrun fuel cut-
off.
Avoid short trips
The engine and emission control system need to reach their proper
working temperature in order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions.
Change gear early to save fuel
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the
gears. Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an
unnecessary amount of fuel.
A cold engine uses disproportionately more fuel. The engine only
reaches its working temperature after about four kilometres, when
fuel consumption will return to a normal level. This is the reason
why we recommend avoiding short trips wherever possible.
Manual gearbox: Shift up to second gear as soon as possible. If
possible, we recommend shifting up to the next gear at approx.
2,000 rpm.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures
⇒ page 232 to save fuel. If the tyre pressures are just 0.5 bar too low,
this can increase the fuel consumption by as much as 5 %. Due to
the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also increases tyre
wear and impairs handling.
Automatic gearbox: Press the accelerator slowly and avoid using
the “kick-down” feature.
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
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Do not use winter tyres all through the year; they will increase fuel
consumption by up to 10 %.
English 
