Tips: emissions control, fuel economy

Your vehicle meets the recycling and recovery criteria for end-of-life vehicles, which come into force in 2015.

Some parts of your vehicle have therefore been designed for later recycling.

These parts are easy to dismantle so that they can be recovered and processed through recycling channels.

Furthermore, by design, its original settings and moderate fuel consumption, your vehicle complies with the current emissions regulations. It actively helps reduce emissions of pollutant gases and save energy. However, the level of pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of your vehicle also depends on you. Ensure it is properly maintained and used correctly.

Fuel economy assist

Depending on the vehicle, to optimise fuel consumption, a warning light on the instrument panel tells you the best moment to select a higher gear or a lower gear:

engage the higher gear;

select a lower gear.

Maintenance

Please note that failure to comply with emissions regulations may lead the vehicle owner to face legal proceedings. In addition, replacing engine, fuel system and exhaust parts with parts other than those recommended by the manufacturer affects your vehicle's compliance with emissions regulations.

Have the settings and checks on your vehicle carried out by a Brand Representative, in accordance with the instructions in the maintenance schedule: they have all the equipment needed to guarantee your vehicle's original settings.

Engine settings

• Ignition: no adjustment is required.
• spark plugs: optimum conditions

consumption, efficiency and performance require strict compliance with the specifications established by our Engineering Departments.

When replacing spark plugs, use the brands, types and gaps specified for your engine.

For this, consult a brand representative.

• Idle speed: no adjustment is required.
• Air filter, diesel filter: a clogged cartridge reduces efficiency.

  It must be replaced.

Exhaust emissions control

The exhaust emissions control system detects operating faults in the vehicle's emissions control system.

These malfunctions may cause the release of harmful substances or mechanical damage.

This warning light on the instrument panel indicates any faults in the system:

It lights up when the ignition is switched on, then goes out when the engine starts.

• If it stays on continuously, contact a brand representative as soon as possible;
• if it flashes, reduce engine speed until the flashing stops.

  Consult a brand representative as soon as possible.

Driving

• Rather than warming the engine up while stationary, drive gently until it has reached its normal operating temperature.
• Speed is expensive.
• "Sporty" driving is expensive: prefer "smooth" driving.
• Brake as little as possible. By anticipating obstacles or bends sufficiently in advance, you need only lift off the accelerator.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not push engine speed in the intermediate gears.

  Therefore always use the highest gear possible without straining the engine.

  On vehicles with automatic transmission, keep the selector in D whenever possible.

• When driving uphill, rather than trying to maintain your speed, do not press the accelerator any harder than on level ground. Preferably keep the same foot position on the accelerator pedal.
• Double-declutching and blipping the throttle before switching off the engine are no longer necessary on modern vehicles.
• Bad weather, flooded roads:

Do not drive on a road if the water depth exceeds the lower edge of the rims.

Driving tips

• Electricity is “like oil”: switch off any electrical equipment when it is no longer really needed. But (safety first), keep your lights on whenever visibility requires it (see and be seen).
• Use the ventilation instead. Driving with the windows down increases fuel consumption by 100 km/h: +4 %.
• On vehicles equipped with air conditioning, an increase in fuel consumption (especially in urban driving) while it is in use is normal.
• On vehicles equipped with air conditioning without automatic mode, switch the system off when it is no longer needed.

Tips to minimise fuel consumption and help protect the environment: if the vehicle has been parked in full heat or full sun, ventilate the cabin for a few minutes to expel hot air before starting off.

• Avoid filling the tank to the brim, as this prevents any overflow.
• Do not keep an empty roof rack fitted.
• To transport bulky items, use a trailer instead.
• When towing a caravan, use an approved deflector and remember to adjust it.

• Avoid “door-to-door” use (short journeys interspersed with long stops): the engine never reaches its optimum temperature.

Tyres

• Insufficient tyre pressure increases fuel consumption.
• Using tyres other than those recommended may increase fuel consumption.