Page 37 - Company Supplied Vehicles, Drivers' Manual v3

• Drive off immediately when starting from cold. Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and
causes rapid engine wear.
• Keep the vehicle moving and avoid stopping whenever possible.
• Drive safely in as high a gear as possible without causing the engine to labour.
• Apart from it being illegal to exceed posted speed limits, driving at lower speeds can
save up to one litre of fuel for every 20 miles driven.
• Turn off air conditioning when not required as this can increase fuel consumption by up
to 10%.
• Check your tyre pressures regularly. Underinflated tyres wear more quickly and increase
fuel consumption.

3.16 Driving in bad weather

Check your vehicle and ensure that:

• Tyres have a good tread depth and are inflated correctly (including the spare).
• Windscreen wipers and washers are working properly.
• Lights are clean and working.
• Check that all your vehicle windows and mirrors are clear from mist, frost and snow.
Snow and ice reduce what you can see and can be dangerous to other road users as it
falls off your vehicle.

When driving in wintry weather:

• Drive according to the conditions on treated and untreated roads.
• Reduce speed in poor visibility, where there is snow or if ice may have formed.
• Use the highest gear possible to help keep control of the vehicle and avoid harsh
braking and acceleration.
• Maintain larger stopping distances. 2 seconds between vehicles is acceptable for good
conditions but on a wet road surface means it will take twice as long to stop, so you
need to be at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front.
• Use dipped headlights in poor visibility and snow so others can see you.
• Use rear fog lights in poor visibility but remember to switch them off when conditions
improve.
• Watch out for other road users including motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and
children, who may also be having difficulties in the conditions.

Fog is especially a danger in autumn and winter and is a major cause of incidents:

• Slow down, keep your distance and turn your lights on in fog.
• Drive very slowly using dipped headlights. Use fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced
but remember to switch them off when visibility improves.
• Don't hang on the taillights of the vehicle in front. This gives you a false sense of security
and means you may be driving too close.
• Don't speed up suddenly. Even if it appears to be clearing you can suddenly find yourself
back in thick fog.

Commercial Drive4Life Handbook – January 2022 (Glen Dimplex Fleet Assistance – 01604 747269) Page 36 of 37