16Eco-driving is a range of everyday practices that allow the motorist to optimise their fuel consumption and CO2
emissions.
EcO-drIVInG
Optimise the use of your gearbox
With a manual gearbox, move off gently and change up without waiting. During acceleration change up early.
With
an automatic or electronic gearbox, give preference
to
automatic mode and avoid pressing the accelerator
pedal
heavily or suddenly.
The
gear shift indicator invites you engage the most
suitable
gear: as soon as the indication is displayed in the
instrument
panel, follow it straight away.
For
vehicles fitted with an electronic or automatic gearbox,
this
indicator appears only in manual mode.
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 electrical equipment
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
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.
d
isconnect your portable devices before leaving the
vehicle.
Motoring & Environment
