Driving advice, eco-driving
Driving advice, eco-driving
Fuel consumption is accredited in accordance with a standard regulatory method. Identical
for all manufacturers, this enables vehicles to be compared with one another.
Consumption in real time depends on vehicle usage conditions, the equipment fitted
and the user's driving style. To optimise fuel consumption, please refer to the following
advice.
Depending on the vehicle, there may be different functions available to help you reduce
your fuel consumption:
- the rev counter;
- the gear change indicator;
- the Stop and Start function (refer to the information on the "Stop and Start function" in Section 2).
If fitted on the vehicle, the navigation system provides additional information.
Gear change indicator 1
To obtain optimum consumption levels, in manual mode a warning light on the instrument
panel lets you know the best time to move up or down a gear:
shift up a gear;
downshift a gear.
Driving advice and ECO driving
Behaviour
- Drive carefully until the engine reaches its normal operating temperature, rather than let it warm up while the vehicle is stationary.
- High speeds significantly affect the vehicle's fuel consumption.
Examples (at a steady speed):
- reducing the speed from approximately 80 mph (130 km/h) to 68 mph (110 km/h) saves up to around 20% of fuel;
- reducing the speed from approximately 56 mph (90 km/h) to 50 mph (80 km/h) saves up to around 10% of fuel.
- "Sporty" driving uses a lot of fuel: go easy on the throttle. "Normal" driving mode is recommended (refer to "Choice of driving mode" in Section 1).
- Do not over rev the engine in the intermediate gears.
You should always use the highest gear possible.
- Avoid sudden acceleration.
- Brake as little as possible. If you anticipate an obstacle or bend in advance, you may then simply release the accelerator pedal.
- Accelerating before switching off the engine is unnecessary for modern vehicles.
- Bad weather, flooded roads:
 | Do not drive through water if it is higher than the lower edge of the wheel rim. |
Heating levels
It is normal to notice an increase in the vehicle's fuel consumption when using the
heating (particularly when the outside temperature drops below zero) or air conditioning.
WARNING
Driver obstruction
On the driver's side, only use mats suitable for the vehicle, attached with the pre-fitted
components, and check the fitting regularly. Do not lay one mat on top of another.
There is a risk of wedging the pedals
Tyres
- An underinflated tyre increases fuel consumption.
- We recommend the highest speed tyre pressure or the pressure recommended to optimise fuel consumption as indicated at the bottom of the driver's door (please refer to "Tyre inflation pressure" in Section 4).
- The use of non-recommended tyres can increase fuel consumption.
Advice on use
- Electricity is fuel – switch off all the electrical components when they are not genuinely needed. However (safety first), keep your lights on when the visibility is bad ("see and be seen").
- Use the air vents. Driving with the windows open at 62 mph (100 km/h) will increase fuel consumption by 4%.
- Never fill the fuel tank right to the brim to avoid overflow.
- On vehicles equipped with air conditioning, switch off the air conditioning when it is not required.
Advice for reducing consumption and helping to preserve the environment:
If the vehicle has been parked in the sun, open the doors for a few moments to let
the hot air escape before starting the engine.
- Avoid using the vehicle for "door-to-door" calls (short journeys with long waits in between) because in such conditions the engine never reaches its optimal operating temperature.
