16Eco-driving is a range of everyday
practices that allow the motorist to
optimise their fuel consumption and
CO
2 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 efficiency indicator invites
you to 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 help to 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
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.
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.
Motoring & the Environment
