|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 198
Driving and the environment
Periodic maintenance
Saving electrical energy
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need
will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. A well-serviced
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maximum
turn off electrical equipment when you do not need them. Examples of equip-
reliability and an enhanced resale value.
ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window
heating or the seat heaters*.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and
Environmental friendliness
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum service tempera-
ture.
Environmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine
and production of your new Seat.
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having
driven some four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding
Design measures for economical recycling
short trips wherever possible.
• Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling
• Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
• Increased use of single-grade materials
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the
tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by
• Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043,
as much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
increases tyre wear and impairs handling.
Choice of materials
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold.
• Nearly all materials used can be recycled
Do not use winter tyres all year round: they will increase fuel consumption by
• Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling
up to 10%.
• Recycled materials used in manufacture
Avoid unnecessary weight
• Reduction of volatile compounds in plastics
Every kilo of extra weight will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth
• CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioning
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
Compliance with prohibited materials laws: cadmium, lead, mercury, chrome
essary loads are being transported.
VI.
A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will use about 12%
Manufacturing methods
more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof carrier
• Use of recycled material for manufacturing plastic parts
even when it is not in use.
• Solvent-free cavity sealing
|