19
ECO-DRIVING
Optimise the use of your gearbox
With a manual gearbox, move off gently,
change up without waiting and drive by
changing up quite soon. If your vehicle has
the system, the gear shift indicator invites
you to change up; it is displayed in the
instrument panel, follow its instructions.
Drive smoothly
Maintain a safe distance between vehicles,
use engine braking rather than the
brake pedal, and press the accelerator
progressively. These practices contribute
towards a reduction in fuel consumption
and CO
2 emissions and also helps reduce
the background traffic noise.
If your vehicle has cruise control, make
use of the system at speeds above 25 mph
(40 km/h) when the traffic is flowing well.
Control the use of your electricalequipment
Before moving off, if the passenger
compartment is too warm, ventilate it by
opening the windows and air vents before
using the air conditioning.
Above 30 mph (50 km/h), close the windows
and leave the air vents open.
Remember to make use of equipment
that can help keep the temperature in the
passenger compartment down (sunroof and
window blinds...).
Switch off the air conditioning, unless it has
automatic digital regulation, as soon as the
desired temperature is attained.
Switch off the demisting and defrosting
controls, if not automatic.
Switch off the heated seat as soon as
possible.
Switch off the headlamps and front foglamps
when the level of light does not require their
use.
Avoid running the engine before moving
off, particularly in winter; your vehicle will
warm up much faster while driving.
As a passenger, if you avoid connecting
your multimedia devices (film, music,
video game...), you will contribute towards
limiting the consumption of electrical
energy, and so of fuel.
Disconnect your portable devices before
leaving the vehicle.
Eco-driving is a range of everyday practices that allow the motorist to optimise their fuel consumption and CO
2 emissions.
