Cold Starting - Alfa Romeo Giulietta Owner's Handbook Manual

DRIVING STYLE
GETTING
Starting
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the car is
stationary; this causes the engine to warm up more slowly, there-
by increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is advisable to set
off immediately and slowly, avoiding high revs: this allows the
SAFETY
engine to warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or before stopping
STARTING
the engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unneces-
AND DRIVING
sary and causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
IN AN
Use a high gear when traffic and road conditions allow. Using a
EMERGENCY
low gear for faster acceleration will increase fuel consumption. In
the same way, improper use of a high gear increases fuel con-
sumption, emissions and engine wear.
SERVICING AND
Top speed
MAINTENANCE
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed increases. Keep
your speed as even as possible, avoiding unnecessary braking
and acceleration which cause excessive fuel consumption and in-
TECHNICAL
creased emissions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual and should not exceed the maxi-
CONTENTS
mum torque.
156
CONDITIONS OF USE

Cold starting

Short distances and frequent cold start-ups prevent the engine from
reaching its optimum running temperature. Consequently, both con-
sumption (from +15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emissions
will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use of low gears or in cities with
many traffic lights. Mountain roads and uneven surfaces also have
a negative effect on consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings) the engine should be
switched off.