Reducing Running Costs And Environment Pollution; Driving With Abs; General Considerations; Vehicle Maintenance - Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Owner's Manual

DRIVING WITH ABS

The ABS is a part of the braking system
which essentially offers two advantages:
1) It prevents wheel lock-up and conse-
quent skidding in emergency stops, parti-
cularly when the road does not offer much
grip;
2) It makes it possible to brake and steer
at the same time so you can avoid unex-
pected obstacles and direct the car where
you want while braking. The extent to whi-
ch this can be done will depend on the phy-
sical limits of the tyre's sideways grip.
To make the most of the ABS:
– In emergency braking or when grip is
low, a slight pulsing can be felt on the brake
pedal: this means that the ABS has come in-
to action. Do not release the pedal, but con-
tinue pressing it to give continuity to the
braking action.
– The ABS prevents the wheels from
locking but it does not increase the physi-
cal limits of grip between the asphalt and
the road. Therefore, also with a car fitted
with ABS, keep within a safety distance from
the vehicle in front and limit speed when ap-
proaching bends.
The ABS serves to increase car controlla-
bilty not to go faster.
168
REDUCING RUNNING
COSTS AND
ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION
Some suggestions which may help you to
keep the running costs of your vehicle down
and lower the amount of toxic emissions re-
leased into the atmosphere are given below.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Vehicle maintenance

The overall state of the vehicle is an im-
portant factor which has a marked influen-
ce over fuel consumption and driving comfort
and on the life span of your vehicle. For this
reason care should be taken to maintain
your vehicle by carrying out the necessary
checks and regulations in accordance with
specifications given in the "Scheduled Main-
tenance Programme" (see sections... spark
plugs, air cleaner, timing).
Tyres
Tyres should be checked at least every four
4 weeks: if the pressure is too low, fuel con-
sumption increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is higher. In
this state, tyre wear is increased
and vehicle handling suffers which will af-
fect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the vehi-
cle (especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affects consumption and stabi-
lity.