Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•
Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste fuel.
• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Slow down gradually.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•
You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if unnecessary
shifting between fourth and fifth gear occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
• Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to the Maintenance product
specifications and capacities section of this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in scheduled maintenance.
2007 B-Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249
running out of fuel .................247
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................243
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......170
Fuses ..................................171–172
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............245
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................247
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................170
Headlamps ...................................45 aiming ........................................47
bulb specifications ....................49
daytime running lights .............46
flash to pass ..............................46
high beam .................................45
replacing bulbs .........................50
turning on and off ....................45
Heating heating and air conditioning
system .................................42–43
Hood ..........................................224
I
Ignition ...............................149, 264
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................103
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................252
Instrument panel cleaning ...................................213 cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................46
location of components ............12
J
Jack ............................................181 positioning ...............................181
storage .....................181, 184–185
Jump-starting your vehicle ......191
K
Keys .......................................65, 70 positions of the ignition .........149
L
Lamps bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................49
daytime running light ...............46
fog lamps ...................................45
headlamps .................................45
headlamps, flash to pass ..........46
instrument panel, dimming .....46
interior lamps .....................49–50
replacing bulbs .........................50
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................48
Lights, warning and indicator ....12 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........154
Load limits .................................132
Loading instructions .................138
Locks doors ..........................................65
Lubricant specifications ...........260
Lug nuts ....................................190
2007 B-Series (mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
271
