CG CAPTIVA 7 Owner's Manual page 198

5-8
Chapter 5
FUEL
Engine
Maintain the engine in peak mechanical condition by having it serviced regularly in
accordance with the maintenance schedule in the Service/warranty booklet. This
ensures items such as the spark plugs and air cleaner are maintained for minimum
fuel usage and peak engine performance.
Tyre pressure
Keep the tyres at the recommended pressures. Under-inflated tyres create extra rolling
resistance and waste fuel. Refer to Tyres in chapter 7.
Incorrect tyre pressures can also cause uneven and premature tyre wear.
Wheel alignment
Maintain correct front wheel alignment. Incorrect alignment makes the front wheels
drag which wastes fuel and causes uneven and premature tyre wear.
Warm ups and idling
Avoid long engine warm ups. They are unnecessary and waste fuel. An engine takes
approximately five minutes to reach its efficient operating temperature and it does this
most effectively when driving.
You should also avoid long engine idling. If you have to wait for more than a couple of
minutes, switch off the engine to conserve fuel.
Accelerating, driving and braking
Accelerate gently and avoid rapid accelerating from lights or stop signs. Sudden bursts
of speed, full throttle acceleration and hard braking are certain fuel wasters.
Drive the vehicle at steady speeds where possible (after run-in). It is desirable to reach
top gear as soon as possible, but under no circumstances should you force the engine
to labour in top gear.
Riding the brake
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal when you do not intend to brake, as this can
overheat the brakes, increase brake pad wear, damage the brakes and waste fuel.
Air conditioning
Switch off the air conditioning when not required. However, once every two weeks, with
the engine running, switch the air conditioner on for five to 10 minutes, even in winter,
to lubricate the seals.
Loading
Unnecessary weight increases fuel consumption, especially when accelerating.
REDUCINg FUEL CONSUmPTION