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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
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Page 170 of 222

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.
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Page 206 of 222

205TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS205
PRACTICAL TIPS TO
REDUCE CONSUMPTION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
Vehicle conditions
1. Have checks and adjustments
carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Service Plan”.
2. Check the tyre pressure at inter-
vals of not more than 4 weeks (see
“Tyre pressure”). Too low tyre pres-
sure increases consumption as the
rolling resistance increases. In these
conditions the tyres wear faster and
performance deteriorates.
3. Use winter tyresonly in the sea-
sons where dictated by the climatic
conditions. Winter tyres not only in-
crease consumption but also tyre
noise.4. Do not travel in heavy load con-
ditions(vehicle overloaded): The
weight of the vehicle (especially when
driving in town) and its trim greatly af-
fect fuel consumption and stability.
5. Remove roof racks or ski racks
after use. These accessories reduce
the aerodynamics of the vehicle and
have a negative effect on fuel con-
sumption.
6. Ideally use a trailerto transport
particularly bulky objects.
7. It is preferable to use the air vents:
driving with the window open has a
negative effect on the aerodynamics of
the vehicle.
8. Use the electrical devices only for
the time strictly necessary. The rear
heated window, additional headlights,
windscreen wipers and heater fan
need a considerable amount of ener-
gy, consequently increasing fuel con-
sumption (up to 25% more in the ur-
ban cycle).9. Using the air-conditioning in-
creases consumption (up to 30% more
on average): use the air vents when
the outside temperature permits.
Driving style
1. After starting the engineit is
advisable to set off immediately and
slowly avoiding revving up the engine.
Do not warm up the engine with the
vehicle stationary either at idle or at
high speed: in these conditions the en-
gine in fact warms up more slowly, in-
creasing consumption, emissions and
wear of the mechanical devices.
2. Avoid revving upwhen starting
at traffic lights or before turning off the
engine. This action, like double-de-
clutching, is unnecessary and causes in-
creased fuel consumption and pollu-
tion.
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Page 217 of 222

216INDEX
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
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