Page 83 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual

driving commercial vehicles

Preparation and planning

Fuel

Use the correct fuel for the season. Summer fuel can improve fuel economy
by as much as three per cent, but can cause engine problems in cold weather.
Think about where you’ll be driving. For example, if you delivered a load to
California in the winter and refuelled to return to the B.C. interior, that fuel
may not be appropriate for B.C. winter temperatures.
Consider using biodiesel fuel. It provides power similar to conventional diesel
fuel, but contributes less carbon dioxide or sulfur to the atmosphere, and is
low in particulate emissions.

Route planning
fast fact
Plan your route carefully. The most fuel-efficient route is often one that avoids
Choosing to drive on a flat heavy commuter traffic, busy city driving, and hills.
multi-lane highway improves Flat routes are more fuel efficient than mountainous routes. Highway driving is
fuel efficiency by:
more fuel efficient than driving on congested city streets.
• four to 11 per cent
compared to a flat two- Dealing with the weather
lane highway
• as much as 18 per cent Weather conditions affect fuel efficiency. Driving on snow-covered roads can
compared to a increase fuel consumption by 15 to 20 per cent.
mountainous highway
Here are ways to minimize the effects of weather:
• 25 to 35 per cent
compared to driving on • Pay attention to weather forecasts. Plan your route to avoid bad weather
suburban roads. where possible by changing trip times or routes.
• Adjust speed to suit conditions like when there’s a strong headwind.
• Slow down and maintain a safe following distance.

Starting

Fuel efficiency begins when you start the engine. Proper warm-up helps
lubricate engine components, reducing wear and leakage, and saves fuel
costs. Here are some suggested techniques for starting heavy-duty diesel
engines:

• Use zero throttle (keep your foot off the accelerator).
• Don’t pump the throttle — it isn’t effective and wastes fuel.
• Let the engine warm up for three to five minutes only or seven to 10
minutes if the temperature is below 0° C. Any longer wastes fuel and can
cause engine damage. Don’t use the throttle — let the engine warm up
gradually.

• Check that oil and air pressure rise to their normal operating ranges.
• If you add ether when operating in cold temperatures or to help start the
engine, use it sparingly. It can damage the engine. Before adding it, check
the owner’s manual to see if it’s permitted.

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