Table of Contents
Advertisement
136
Driving and the Environment
Driving and the Environment
The first 1 500 kilometres - and then afterwards
A new engine
The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres.
Up to 1 000 kilometres
–
Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the mamimum speed of the gear in use, that is
3/4 of the maximum permissible engine speed.
–
Do not use full throttle.
–
Avoid high engine revolutions.
–
Do not tow a trailer.
From 1 000 up to 1 500 kilometres
–
Increase the power output of the engine gradually up to the full speed of the
gear engaged, that is up to the maximum permissible engine revolutions.
During the first operating hours the engine has higher internal friction than later
until all of the moving parts have harmonized. The driving style which you adopt
during the first approx.1 500 kilometres plays a decisive part in the success of
running in your car.
You should not drive at unnecessarily high engine revolutions even after the
running-in period is complete. The maximum permissible engine speed is marked by
the beginning of the red zone on the scale of the revolutions counter. Shift up into
the next higher gear on a vehicle fitted with manual gearbox before the red zone is
reached. During acceleration (depressing the accelerator) exceptionally high engine
speeds are automatically reduced, yet the engine is not protected against too high
engine speeds which are caused by incorrectly shifting down the gears resulting in
a sudden increase of the engine speeds above the permitted maximum revolutions
which can lead to engine damage.
For a vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox the converse situation also applies: Do
not drive at engine revolutions which are too low. Shift down as soon as the engine
is no longer running smoothly.
Caution
All the speed and engine revolution figures apply only when the engine is at its
normal operating temperature. Never rev up an engine which is cold, neither when
the vehicle is stationary nor when driving in individual gears.
For the sake of the environment
Not driving at unnecessarily high engine revolutions and shifting to a higher gear as
early as possible are ways to minimise fuel consumption and operating noise levels
and protects the environment.
New tyres
New tyres have to be "run in" since they do not offer optimal grip at first. You should
take account of this fact for the first 500 kilometres and drive particularly
carefully.
New brake pads
Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking efficiency
until approximately 200 kilometres. New brake pads must be first "run in" before
they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however, compensate for this
slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pressure on the brake pedal.
This guideline also applies to any new brake pads installed at a future date.
During the running-in period, you should avoid excessive stresses on the brakes.
This includes, for example, violent braking, particularly from very high speeds, and
also when crossing mountain passes.
Catalytic converter
Proper operation of the emission control system (catalytic converter)
is of major significance for driving your vehicle in an environmentally
conscious way.
Please refer to the following guidelines:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
