110DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
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).Tyres
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.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load in
the boot. The weight of the vehicle
and its trim greatly effects consump-
tion and stability.
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. Whentransporting particularly large objects,
use a trailer, where possible.
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).
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.
Aerodynamic accessories
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS AND POLLUTION
169VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Changing the windscreen
wiper blade
1)Lift the windscreen wiper arm A-
fig. 23off the glass and position the
blade so as to form a right angle with
the arm.
2) Press tab B on the retainer and
remove the blade to be replaced from
arm A .
3) Fit the new blade by inserting the
tab into the special slot in the arm.
Make sure it is properly locked into
place.
B
A
fig. 23
F0A0157b
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part us-
ing special products; TUTELA PRO-
FESSIONAL SC 35is recommend-
ed.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn
they should be replaced. In any case
they should be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the
possibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls to below
zero, make sure the rubber blade is
not frozen to the windscreen. If nec-
essary, free it with a de-icing com-
pound.Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is re-
duced in bad weather.
– Remove any snow that has settled
on the glass: besides saving the blades
you will avoid straining the electric
windscreen wiper motor and causing
it to overheat.
– Do not operate the windscreen or
rear window wipers on dry glass.
212INDEX
Vehicle maintenance................. 149
- additional checks ..................... 152
- annual inspection schedule ... 152
- scheduled service .................... 149
- service schedule ...................... 150
Ventilation...................................... 57
Warning lights .......................... 39
Weights .......................................... 188
Wheel
- replacement ............................ 122
- spare wheel .............................. 185
Wheel geometry .......................... 183
Wheel replacement ..................... 122
Windows (cleaning) .................... 172
Windscreen and rear window
wiper blades ................................ 169
Windscreen washer
- control ...................................... 64
- fluid level .................................. 159
Windscreen wipers
- blades ........................................ 169
- control ...................................... 64
- nozzles ....................................... 169
- smart wash ............................... 65Windscreen/rear window
washer fluid level ....................... 159
Wing window (adjustment) ....... 72