Saving Fuel - Fiat PANDA Owner's Handbook Manual

SAVING FUEL

Here are some suggestions which can
help you to save fuel and lower harmful
emissions.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried
out in accordance with the "Scheduled
Servicing Plan".
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once
every 4 weeks: if the pressure is too
low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
The weight of the car and its
arrangement greatly affect fuel
consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof after use. These
accessories lower aerodynamic
penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels. When transporting
particularly large objects, use a trailer
if possible.
102
Electrical devices
Only use electrical devices for the
amount of time needed. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
windscreen wipers and heater fan need
a considerable amount of energy,
therefore increasing fuel consumption
(by up to 25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The use of the climate control system
leads to higher fuel consumption. If the
temperature outside permits, try to
use ventilation only.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at
a standstill or at idle or high speed:
under these conditions the engine
warms up much more slowly, increasing
consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to move off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: in this way the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when at traffic lights or
before switching off the engine. This
action and also double declutching is
absolutely pointless on modern cars
and also increases consumption and
pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and
road conditions allow. Using a low
gear for faster acceleration will increase
consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
Maximum speed
Fuel consumption increases
considerably with speed. Maintain a
constant speed, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cost
in terms of both fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very
negative effect on fuel consumption
and emissions: accelerate gradually.