The Environment & Fuel-efficient Driving

How can a lorry driver reduce fuel consumption and emissions while driving?

• AAccelerate hard and brake late at every opportunity
• BKeep the engine at its maximum revs in every single gear used
• CLeave the engine idling for long periods when parked
• DAnticipate the road ahead and drive smoothly, avoiding harsh acceleration and braking✓

Answer: Smooth, anticipatory driving that avoids harsh acceleration and heavy braking lowers fuel use and emissions. Reading the road ahead and changing gear at the right time keeps the engine working efficiently.

What is the most effective action a driver can take to cut fuel waste when the vehicle is stationary for several minutes in a queue or yard?

• ARev the engine every few minutes to keep the coolant temperature up
• BTurn on all electrical systems
• CSwitch off the engine to avoid unnecessary idling✓
• DKeep the clutch held down with a gear engaged so you can move away instantly

Answer: Switching off the engine during a long wait stops fuel being burned for no reason and reduces emissions and noise. Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and can also be an offence in some areas.

How does keeping tyres correctly inflated help the environment as well as safety?

• AIt has no effect at all on the amount of fuel used overall
• BCorrect pressures reduce rolling resistance, lowering fuel consumption and emissions✓
• COver-inflation always saves the most fuel
• DUnder-inflated tyres use less fuel

Answer: Correctly inflated tyres have lower rolling resistance, which reduces fuel consumption and the emissions produced. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel use and wear out faster, as well as being a safety risk.

Selecting the correct gear and using the engine efficiently mainly helps to do what?

• AReduce fuel consumption, wear and exhaust emissions✓
• BRaise the legal speed limit that applies to the vehicle on that road
• CDisable the vehicle's road-speed limiter while climbing a long gradient
• DShorten the rest period the tachograph requires the driver to take

Answer: Using the right gear keeps the engine in its most efficient range, cutting fuel use, mechanical wear and exhaust emissions. Labouring the engine or over-revving both waste fuel.

What is AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) used for on a modern diesel lorry?

• AReducing harmful nitrogen oxides in the exhaust✓
• BStopping diesel fuel waxing in cold weather
• CCooling the turbocharger on long journeys
• DLubricating the fuel pump and the injectors

Answer: AdBlue is used by the selective catalytic reduction system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The walkaround check includes making sure there is enough and topping up if necessary.

When must you not use your horn, according to the Highway Code?

• AWhile moving during the day, unless you are driving on a motorway or dual carriageway
• BWhen parked on a road with a speed limit higher than 30 mph
• CWhile stationary, or in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7 am, except for danger✓
• DBetween 7 pm and 7 am in towns and villages, even if another road user poses danger

Answer: Rule 112 says you must not use your horn while stationary on the road, or when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another road user poses a danger.

What is 'block changing' when driving a lorry?

• AUsing just the lowest gears when fully laden
• BChanging gear at the same points on each journey
• CMissing out gears you do not need✓
• DChanging into neutral while waiting at traffic lights

Answer: Block changing means selecting the most appropriate gear directly, missing out intermediate gears. It reduces the number of gear changes, which saves fuel and reduces wear.

How can planning your route before a journey help the environment?

• AIt allows you to skip the daily walkaround check
• BIt means you can drive faster to make up for delays on the way
• CIt avoids delays and wasted miles, so less fuel is used✓
• DIt lets you avoid roads with lower speed limits

Answer: Planning a route to avoid congestion, roadworks and unsuitable roads cuts wasted miles and time idling in queues, which reduces fuel use and emissions.

Why should the cab roof air deflector be adjusted to suit the trailer?

• AIt lowers the vehicle's overall travelling height
• BIt reduces air resistance, which cuts fuel use✓
• CIt increases the downforce on the trailer brakes
• DIt keeps rain off the windscreen at high speed

Answer: A correctly set deflector smooths airflow over the trailer and reduces drag. A deflector set too low or too high for the trailer wastes fuel.

Why is diesel spilt on the road a particular danger?

• AIt is a risk just in hot weather, when it can catch fire
• BIt makes the surface very slippery, especially for two-wheelers✓
• CIt damages tyre rubber on contact but has no real effect on road grip
• DIt evaporates quickly and leaves a sticky, high-grip surface

Answer: Diesel on the road is extremely slippery, especially when wet, and is a serious hazard to motorcyclists and cyclists. Make sure the fuel cap is secure and the tank is not overfilled.

To drive in the London Low Emission Zone without paying a daily charge, what emission standard must a lorry normally meet?

• AEuro VI✓
• BEuro III
• CEuro II
• DEuro IV

Answer: Transport for London's LEZ requires lorries to meet the Euro VI emission standard, or the operator must pay a daily charge. Older, more polluting engines do not meet the standard.

Why should you drive with the engine speed in the green band of the rev counter where possible?

• AIt keeps the air tanks at their maximum pressure
• BIt gives the best fuel economy for the power needed✓
• CIt lets the engine idle for longer without damage
• DIt gives the most engine braking on long descents

Answer: The green band marks the engine speed range where the engine delivers its power most efficiently. Driving in it reduces fuel use and emissions.