Fuel Saving - Ford 2008 Ka Owner's Handbook Manual

085-094 Ford KA EN_081-090 Ford KA IT 08/04/14 08:38 Pagina 90

FUEL SAVING

Here are some useful tips to save fuel
and minimise harmful emissions of CO
and other pollutants (nitric oxides,
unburnt hydrocarbons, fine dusts
etc...).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried
out in accordance with the "Scheduled
Servicing Plan".
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely
at an interval of no more than 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 (especially when
driving in town) and its ride greatly
affects consumption and stability.
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Accessories installed
on longitudinal bars
Remove accessories like: roof racks,
2 ski racks, luggage container, etc. from
the roof if they are no longer used.
These accessories lower air penetration
and adversely affect consumption levels.
When transporting particularly large
objects, use a trailer if possible.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time needed. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
windscreen wipers and heater fan
need a considerable amount of energy,
therefore a higher requirement of
current involves an increase of fuel
consumption (up to +25% in
the urban cycle).
Climate control system
Climate control leads to higher fuel
consumption (on average up to +20%).
If the temperature outside permits,
try and use the air vents.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption levels.
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
electrical 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 accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off
the engine. This and also double
declutching is absolutely pointless
on modern cars and also increases
consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic
and road allow, use a higher gear.
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.