Skoda Rapid 2013 Owner's Manual page 83

WARNING
Always adapt your speed and safety distance to the vehicle ahead to the visi-
bility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Economic driving style
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First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 80.
Shift to the next higher gear earlier
Basically: The higher gear is always the more economical gear. Rule of thumb for
most vehicles: Use the 3rd gear at a speed of approx. 20 mph (30 km/h), the 4th
gear at approx. 25 mph (40 km/h), and the 5th gear already from approx. 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Moreover, "skipping" of gears when shifting to higher gears saves fuel, if the traf-
fic and driving conditions permit.
Do not run out the gears to the limit. Use the 1st gear only for starting to move,
and quickly shift to the 2nd gear. Avoid kickdowns for vehicles with automatic
gearbox.
Vehicles with gear indicator support a fuel-efficient driving style by displaying the
best time for changing the gear.
Let the vehicle roll
When you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply to the engine is
interrupted and fuel consumption is reduced.
Therefore, for example, when you approach a red traffic light, let the vehicle roll
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Only when the vehicle is too slow or
the distance is too long, depress the clutch pedal to disengage. The engine then
continues to run at idling speed.
In situations where a longer waiting time is expected, actively switch off the en-
gine, such as at a railway crossing.
Look ahead when driving and "flow with the traffic"
Frequent braking and accelerating significantly increases fuel consumption. By
driving with foresight and a sufficiently large distance to the vehicle ahead, you
can compensate speed fluctuations merely by taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal. Active braking and accelerating is then not absolutely necessary.
Drive smoothly and evenly
More important than speed is consistency: the more evenly you drive, the lower
your fuel consumption.
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On the motorway, driving at constant and moderate speed is more effective than
continuously accelerating and braking. A constant driving style usually takes you
to your destination just as fast.
Use additional electrical loads sparingly
Comfort in the vehicle is good and important, but you should be environmentally
conscious.
Some electrical equipment, when switched on, increases fuel consumption (ex-
amples):
›
Cooling system of air-conditioning: When the air conditioning system has to
produce a very high temperature difference, it needs a lot of energy that is gen-
erated by the engine. Therefore, the temperature difference in the vehicle
should not be overly large compared to the outside temperature. It may be
helpful, before driving, to ventilate the vehicle and then run a short distance
with the windows open. Only then switch on the air conditioning system with
the windows closed. At high speeds, keep the windows closed. Open windows
increase fuel consumption.
›
Switch off the rear window heater when the window is free of ice and fog.
Other factors that increase fuel consumption (examples):
›
faulty engine control;
›
driving in mountainous areas.
81
Driving and the Environment
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