199
Saving fuel, protecting the environment
Overrun
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The fuel supply is automatically shut off
during overrun, e.g. when the vehicle is
being driven down long gradients or
when braking – see page 197.
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To enable the overrun cut-off to come
into action and save fuel, do not
accelerate or declutch during overrun.
Correct gear selection
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High revs increase engine wear and fuel
consumption.
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Do not race your engine. Avoid driving at
high engine speeds.
Making use of the tachometer helps to
save fuel. Drive in a low engine speed
range for each gear as much as possible
with uniform engine speeds. Drive as
often as possible in top gear, select the
next higher gear as soon as possible,
and only change down when the engine
is no longer running perfectly smoothly.
High speed
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The higher the speed, the higher the
consumption and the noise level. At top
speed, you consume a great deal of fuel
and produce excessive noise and
exhaust emissions.
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Slightly releasing the accelerator pedal
results in distinct fuel savings with no
major loss of speed.
Drive at no more than around three
quarters of maximum speed and you will
use up to 50 % less fuel, without losing a
great deal of time.
Tyre pressure
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Inadequate tyre pressure, leading to
higher road resistance, costs money in
two ways: for more fuel and increased
tyre wear.
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Regular checks (every 14 days) pay off.
Electrical loads
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The power consumption of electrical
equipment increases fuel consumption.
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Switch off all auxiliary electrical loads
(
e.g. air conditioning
3
,
heated rear
window) when not needed.
Roof racks, ski-holders
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Due to air resistance, a roof load
can increase fuel consumption by
approx. 3.5 gal./1000 miles (1 l/100 km).
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Remove them if they are not being used.
Repair and maintenance
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Improper repairs or adjustment and
maintenance work can increase fuel
consumption. Do not carry out work on
the engine yourself.
You may out of ignorance infringe
environmental laws by not disposing
of materials properly.
Appropriate parts might not be recycled.
Contact with some of the materials
involved may pose a health hazard.
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We recommend that repair and
maintenance be entrusted to your
Vauxhall Authorised Repairer.
Extreme driving conditions
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Going up steep slopes, cornering, driving
on poor roads and winter driving all
increase fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption increases dramatically
in urban traffic and at winter
temperatures, especially on short trips
when the engine operating temperature
is not reached.
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Follow the hints given above to keep
consumption to a minimum under such
conditions.