Driving your vehicle
Economical operation
Economical operation
僅 Be sure that the wheels are aligned
correctly. Improper alignment can
Your vehicle's fuel economy depends
result from hitting kerbs or driving too
mainly on your style of driving, where
fast over irregular surfaces. Poor
you drive and when you drive.
alignment causes faster tyre wear and
Each of these factors affects how many
may also result in other problems as
kilometers (miles) you can get from a
well as greater fuel consumption.
litre (gallon) of fuel. To operate your
僅 Keep your car in good condition. For
vehicle as economically as possible, use
better fuel economy and reduced
the following driving suggestions to help
maintenance costs, maintain your car
save money in both fuel and repairs:
in accordance with the maintenance
僅 Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a mod-
schedule in section 8. If you drive your
erate rate. Don't make "jackrabbit"
car in severe conditions, more fre-
starts or full-throttle shifts and main-
quent maintenance is required (see
tain a steady cruising speed. Don't
section 8 for details).
race between stoplights. Try to adjust
僅 Keep your car clean. For maximum
your speed to the traffic so you don't
service, your vehicle should be kept
have to change speeds unnecessar-
clean and free of corrosive materials.
ily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
It is especially important that mud,
sible.
dirt, ice, etc. not be allowed to accu-
Always maintain a safe distance from
mulate on the underside of the car.
other vehicles so you can avoid
This extra weight can result in
unnecessary braking. This also
increased fuel consumption and also
reduces brake wear.
contribute to corrosion.
僅 Drive at a moderate speed. The faster
僅 Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary
you drive, the more fuel your vehicle
weight in your car. Weight reduces
uses. Driving at a moderate speed,
fuel economy.
especially on the highway, is one of
僅 Don't let the engine idle longer than
the most effective ways to reduce fuel
necessary. If you are waiting (and not
consumption.
in traffic), turn off your engine and
僅 Don't "ride" the brake pedal. This can
restart only when you're ready to go.
increase fuel consumption and also
僅 Remember, your vehicle does not
increase wear on these components.
require extended warm-up. After the
In addition, driving with your foot rest-
engine has started, allow the engine
ing on the brake pedal may cause the
to run for 10 to 20 seconds prior to
brakes to overheat, which reduces
placing the vehicle in gear. In very
their effectiveness and may lead to
cold weather, however, give your
more serious consequences.
engine a slightly longer warmup
僅 Take care of your tyres. Keep them
period.
inflated to the recommended pres-
僅 Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine.
sure. Incorrect inflation, either too
Lugging is driving too slowly in too
much or too little, results in unneces-
high a gear resulting in the engine
sary tyre wear. Check the tyre pres-
bucking. If this happens, shift to a
sures at least once a month.
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