Get DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE -> Driving tips and fuel economy Guide for Fiat Doblo Van 2000-2009

CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS AND POLLUTION

Some suggestions which may help

you to keep the running costs of the

vehicle down and lower the amount

of toxic emissions released into the at-

mosphere are given below.

Tyres

transporting particularly large objects,

use a trailer, where possible.

Tyre pressure should be checked at

least once every four weeks: if the

pressure is too low fuel consumption

increases as the resistance to the

rolling movement of the tyre is

greater. In this state, tyre wear is in-

creased and handling suffers which will

effect safety.

Electric devices

Use electric devices for the neces-

sary time only. The heated rear win-

dow, fog lights, windscreen wipers,

heater fan require large amounts of

electricity and increasing the request

for power will also increase fuel con-

sumption (up to +25% when driving in

towns).

GENERAL

CONSIDERATIONS

Vehicle maintenance

Unnecessary loads

The overall state of the vehicle is an

important factor which has a marked

influence over fuel consumption and

driving comfort and on the life span of

your vehicle. For this reason care

should be taken to maintain your ve-

hicle by carrying out the necessary

checks and regulations in accordance

with the specifications given in the

SERVICE SCHEDULE (see sections:

spark plugs, idling, air cleaners, diesel

fuel filter, timing).

Do not travel with too much load in

the boot. The weight of the vehicle

and its trim greatly effects consump-

tion and stability.

Climate control system

The climate control system is an ad-

ditional load which greatly effects the

engine leading to higher consumption

(up to +20% in average). When the

temperature outside allows, use the

air vents where possible.

Roof rack/ski rack

Remove the roof rack or the ski rack

from the roof as soon as they are no

longer used.

These accessories reduce the aero-

dynamic penetration of the vehicle and

will increase consumption. When

Aerodynamic accessories

The use of non-certified aerodynamic

items may adversely affect air drag and

consumption levels.

DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

110

DRIVING STYLE

Starting

tion, emissions and wear and tear on

the engine.

CONDITIONS OF USE

Cold starting

Top speed

Do not warm the engine when the

vehicle is stationary or at high or low

revs: in this way the engine will warm

up gradually increasing consumption

and emissions. You should drive off

slowly straight away avoiding high revs

so that the engine will warm up more

quickly.

Frequent cold starting will not enable

the engine to reach optimal running

temperature. It follows, therefore, that

consumption will be higher (from +15

to +30% in towns) as will the pro-

duction of toxic emissions.

Fuel consumption increases consid-

erably as speed increases. For exam-

ple, when accelerating from 90 to 120

km/h, fuel consumption increases up

to approximately +30%. Your speed

should be kept as even as possible and

superfluous braking and acceleration

avoided as this increases both con-

sumption and emissions. A “smooth”

driving style should be adopted by at-

tempting to anticipate manoeuvres to

avoid imminent danger and to keep a

safe distance from the vehicle in front

to avoid braking sharply.

Traffic situations and road

conditions

Unnecessary actions

Heavy traffic and higher consumption

are synonymous: for example, when

driving slowly with frequent use of

lower gears or in towns where there

are numerous traffic lights.

Avoid revving the engine when

stopped at traffic lights or before

switching off the engine and avoid dou-

bling the clutch as these actions have

no purpose of modern vehicles and

serve only to increase consumption

and pollution.

Also twisting roads, mountain roads

and rough road surfaces pay a heavy toll

on consumption.

Acceleration

Accelerating violently increasing the

revs will greatly effect consumption

and emission: acceleration should be

gradual and not exceed the maximum

torque.

Gear selection

Traffic hold-ups

As soon as the traffic and road con-

ditions allow it, shift to a higher gear.

Using a lower gear to liven up accel-

eration greatly increases consumption.

In the same way, improper use of the

higher gears will increase consump-

During prolonged stops (traffic lights,

level crossings, etc.) the engine should

be switched off.

DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

111

If the engine begins to “loose its

smoothness”, when travelling, contin-

ue your journey but reduce the de-

mands you are making on the engine

and have the vehicle seen to at a Fi-

at Dealership as soon as possible.

CHEAP RUNNING

THAT RESPECTS THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental protection has been

one of the guiding principles in the

production of the Fiat Doblò. It is no

accident that its pollution control

equipment is much more effective than

that required by current legislation.

LOOKING

AFTER EMISSION

CONTROL DEVICES

When the instrument panel fuel re-

serve warning light comes on, fill up as

soon as possible. A low level of fuel

can cause an uneven supply of fuel to

the engine with the inevitable increase

in the temperature of the exhaust gas

and serious damage to the catalytic

converter.

The correct use of pollution control

devices not only ensures respect for

the environment but also has an effect

on the vehicle’s performance. Keeping

these devices in good condition is

therefore a fundamental rule for dri-

ving that is easy on your pocket and

on the environment too.

Nonetheless, the environment can-

not get by without a concerted effort

from everyone.

By following a few simple rules you

can avoid harming the environment

and often cut down fuel consumption

at the same time.

Never run the engine with one or

more spark plugs disconnected, even

for testing purposes.

The first step to take is to follow the

SERVICE SCHEDULE to the letter.

On this subject, a few useful tips have

been given below to supplement those

marked by symbol #, at various points

of the handbook.

If your vehicle has a petrol engine use

only unleaded petrol.

Do not warm up the engine by let-

ting it idle for a while before moving

off unless the outside temperature is

very low and, even in this case, only

do so for less than 30 seconds.

If you have trouble starting, do not

keep turning the ignition key for long

periods. Be especially careful to avoid

bump starting the vehicle by pushing,

towing or rolling downhill: these are

all manoeuvres that can damage the

catalytic exhaust. Use an auxiliary bat-

tery for start-ups only.

You are asked to read both the for-

mer and the latter carefully.

Do not install other heat shields and

do not remove those already fitted to

the catalytic converter and exhaust

pipe.

DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

112

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