Environmental protection, fuel efficiency and maintenance awareness
Domain focus
This section tests economical and low-emission driving, basic maintenance awareness and pollution prevention for heavy combinations. The exam looks for concrete actions, not slogans.
Core rules
- Eco-driving means early gear changes, steady speed, looking far ahead and avoiding unnecessary acceleration and braking. A laden CE gains most from smooth momentum management.
- Idling wastes fuel and increases emissions. Switch off when stationary for longer periods, subject to cabin and safety needs.
- Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance and heat. Check pressures cold and remember that dual tyres and trailer tyres are often neglected.
- AdBlue is a urea solution used by SCR systems. It is not a fuel additive and must never be poured into the diesel tank. A depleted AdBlue system can derate the engine.
- Diesel particulate filters need suitable operating temperature for regeneration. Repeated short, cold runs can cause blockage and a warning lamp.
Worked example
A driver notices fuel consumption rising and one trailer tyre is visibly soft. Checking cold pressures reveals 20% underinflation. The driver inflates to the manufacturer's specification and checks for a puncture. The reasoning is that a soft tyre has higher rolling resistance and can overheat, so the fix improves both fuel use and safety. Continuing to drive risks a blowout and higher consumption.
Traps
Putting AdBlue into the diesel tank; ignoring a DPF warning; overfilling the fuel tank and spilling diesel; and believing that coasting downhill in neutral saves fuel in a heavy combination.