12
ECO-DRIVING
Optimise the use of your gearbox
With a manual gearbox, move off gently and change up without
waiting. While accelerating changing up early. If your vehicle has
the system, the gear shift indicator invites you to engage the most
suitable gear; follow its instructions as soon as it is displayed in
the instrument panel.
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 (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.
Eco-driving is a range of everyday practices that allow the motorist to \
optimise their fuel consumption and CO
2 emissions.
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.
