07/09/12 09:41:26 32SAA650_241
Fuel Economy
The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
consumption.
Driving Habits
A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Vehicle Condition
Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra fuel.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the Owner’s Maintenance
Checks (see page 283 ). For
example, an underinflated tyre
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tyre pressure at
least monthly.
The air conditioning (on some types)
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more fuel. Turn
off the A/C to cut down on air condi-
tioning use. Use the flow-through
ventilation when the outside air
temperature is moderate.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle’s underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your fuel
consumption and reduces the chance
of corrosion.
238
Before Driving
English 
