Driving And Operating; Driving Hints; Driving Economically - Vauxhall Ampera 2014 User Manual

Driving and operating

Driving hints ............................... 103
Starting and operating ............... 104
Electric vehicle operation
modes ........................................ 108
Engine exhaust .......................... 112
Electric drive unit ....................... 112
Brakes ........................................ 114
Ride control systems ................. 117
Driver assistance systems ......... 119
Charging .................................... 129
Fuel ............................................ 142
Towing ....................................... 144

Driving hints

Driving economically

The following advice is intended to
help maximise energy efficiency and
range.
In colder temperatures, while these
efficiency tips will help, the electric
vehicle's driving range may be lower
due to higher energy usage.
Driving style
Avoid unnecessary rapid
accelerations and decelerations.
Electric range is maximised at
50 mph and below. Higher speeds
use more energy and can significantly
reduce the electric range.
Use cruise control when appropriate.
Do not shift to N to coast. The vehicle
recovers energy while coasting and
braking in D or L.
Efficiency gauge in the instrument
cluster
The ball indicator should stay green
and in the centre of the gauge.
Driving and operating
Inefficient acceleration is indicated by
the ball turning yellow and moving
above the centre of the gauge.
Aggressive braking is indicated by the
ball turning yellow and moving below
the centre of the gauge.
Drive mode and gear mode selection
Use normal drive mode when
possible.
Sport mode provides more
responsive acceleration than normal
mode but can reduce efficiency.
Use mountain mode prior to climbing
long, steep grades in mountainous
areas. Be sure to engage mountain
mode before starting to climb.
Mountain mode reduces electric
range and power but may be needed
to maintain speeds above 60 mph
when climbing grades of 5 % or
greater.
Use hold mode on a trip where all or
most of the electric charge will be
depleted. Use hold mode mainly
during highway or high speed driving
to maximize both electric range and
fuel efficiency.
103