CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
182
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at
an interval of no more than 4 weeks: if the
pressure is too low consumption levels in-
crease as resistance to rolling is higher. It
should be underscored that in these condi-
tions tyre wear increases and vehicle per-
formance is lower, therefore also its safety.
Useless loads
Never travel with an overload in the boot.
The weight of the vehicle (especially in ur-
ban traffic), and its geometry heavily affect
consumption levels and stability.
Luggage/ski racks
Remove the luggage rack or ski rack from
the roof as soon as they are no longer used.
These accessories lower air penetration and
adversely affect consumption levels. When
needing to carry particularly voluminous ob-
jects, preferably use a trailer.Electric services
Use electric devices only for the amount of
time needed. Rearscreen heating, addition-
al headlights, windscreen wipers and heater
fan need a considerable amount of energy
therefore, increasing the requirement of cur-
rent increases fuel consumption (up to
+25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The climate control system is a further load
bearing heavily on the engine inducing high-
er consumption levels (up to +20% on av-
erage). Outside temperature permitting,
preferably use the air vents.
Aerodynamic items
The use of non-certified aerodynamic items
may adversely affect air drag and con-
sumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at a
standstill or at idle or high speed: under
these conditions the engine warms up much
more slowly, increasing electrical consump-
tion and emissions. It is therefore advisable
to move off immediately, slowly, avoiding
high speeds. This way the engine will warm
faster.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traffic
lights or before switching off the engine. This
and also double declutching is absolutely
pointless on modern cars and also increase
consumption and pollution.
Gear shifting
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and
road allow, use a higher gear. Using a low
gear to obtain brilliant performance increases
consumption. In the same way improper use
of a high gear increases consumption, emis-
sions and engine wear.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
238
WINDSCREEN/
REARSCREEN WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using spe-
cial products; TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35is recommended.
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 pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the rub-
ber against the glass. If necessary, thaw us-
ing an antifreeze product.
– Remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this prevents
effort on the motor and overheating.
– Do not operate the windscreen and
rearscreen wipers on dry glass.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel sup-
ply rubber hoses are concerned, carefully fol-
low the Scheduled Maintenance Programme
of this chapter. Indeed, ozone, high tem-
peratures and the prolonged lack of fluid in
the system may cause hardening and crack-
ing of the hoses, with possible leaks. Care-
ful control is therefore necessary.
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from
the right of the car to the left and
vice versa.
WARNING
Alloy rim painting involving
temperatures exceeding
150°C should be avoided since
wheel mechanical characteristics
could be impaired.
WARNING
