Eco Driving Tips
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF
THE FUEL YOU BUY?
These eco-driving tips are the motoring equivalent of insulating the hot water tank, fitting low energy bulbs and not leaving the tv on standby – simple, common sense tips that really will make a difference. You'll save money on your fuel bills too.
| MAINTENANCE | ||
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Good Maintenance |
Make sure your car is regularly serviced by professional mechanics, so that every port is working efficiently, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Keep your tyre pressures to their recommended levels. Don't forget- a well- maintained car will be more reliable and could be worth more when you come to sell it. |  |
|
Correct Tyre Pressures |
Check your tyre pressures once a month, preferably when 'cold' (handy pocket-sized tyre pressure readers are readily available in most garages or car accessory shops). Correctly inflated tyres mean less energy is used to move your car, so always keep your tyres inflated to the recommended pressures. |  |
| BEFORE YOU GO | ||
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Always Plan ahead |
Plan ahead and combine errands into one sensible trip, always taking the shortest route where possible while avoiding congested areas. If you can travel outside of peak times, you'll spend less time stuck in queues. If you do have to sit in a jam, remeber to turn your engine off while the car is stationary. |  |
|
Overloading your car |
Avoid keeping unnecessary 'stuff' in the car, especially heavy items- lightweight cars are more fuel-economic. And although a roof rack can provide extra carrying space, it increases drag and can dramtically decrease your fuel economy. If you do have things to carry, keep them incide the car. |  |
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Using the Trip Computer |
Each time your start your Fiat, press the 'trip' button until 'Instatnt consumption' appears in front of you. You will now get live fuel consumption readings throughout your journey. |  |
| ON THE WAY | ||
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Aggressive Driving |
Drive sensibly. Look ahead as fas as possible and anticipate the surrounding traffic. Keep a good distance from the car ahead of you to maintain a constant speed, and avoid unnecessary braking and accelerating. When you see brake lights or traffic lights ahead of you, coast to a stop gently (still in gear) rather than using your brakes hard when you reach the obstacle. |  |
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Driving in the Wet |
When starting from cold-even in wintry conditions- drive off immediately. Don't wait to warm the engine up; it will heat up qiicker while driving. Drive slowly to reduce resistance against the wheels from water or ice sitting on the road. Never sit idle for more than a minute- even if the engine's just ticking over in a jam. It will always will be more fuel-efficient to turn off the engine altogether. And make sure your tyres are pumped up to the correct pressures. |  |
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Keeping Windows Up |
Keep your windows up when driving at high speed, using your car's flow-through ventilation to keep cool. Only use the air conditioner when you really need it. |  |
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Your Car's Electrics |
Take it easy with the electric devices. Listen to your favourite radio programme by all means, but not at the same time as you're charging a phone and you've fot the fan blowing at full blast |  |
For more information contact Westover Fiat today.
