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.
Disconnect your portable devices before leaving the
vehicle.
Motoring & Environment
