Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to common questions for both fleet managers and drivers. Simply select your role to get started.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, please contact your driver line number to speak with one of our dedicated account handlers.

 

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    Fleet Managers

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    Drivers

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    We would advise that you check your tyre pressures frequently. Not only do correctly inflated tyres improve handling and braking but they also create greater fuel economy – saving you money and keeping you safe.

     

    Many new cars will be able to tell you the pressures on your dashboard or in-car CPU so you don’t even need to visit a fuel station or invest in a tyre pressure gauge.

     

    The legal minimum tyre depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the whole central area of the tyre that is in contact with the road. But we would never recommend that you run your tyres to that depth. Check your tyre depths monthly using a depth gauge. If the tread is below 3mm you should consider replacing them.

    In addition to regularly checking your tyres there are other simple checks that your drivers can carry out to ensure the safety and optimum performance of their vehicles:


    1.    Windscreen washer fluid and replacement windscreen wipers. 
    a.    Keep this topped up to ensure you can always clean the windscreen when needed. Spray from other vehicles in poor weather could be muddy and obscure visibility, and in the winter your windscreen could become frozen.

    b.    If the wipers are smearing your windows rather than improving your visibility it could be time for new blades. Don’t be tempted to buy the cheapest, as they may not be as affective.


    2.    Fuel
    a.    Try not to run your vehicle into reserve fuel levels. Most vehicles will refuse to start if the tank is empty, and sometimes parking on a steep incline when you only have reserve fuel can lead the CPU to thinking you are empty.


    3.    Oil
    a.    It is important for the smooth running of your vehicle that you have sufficient engine oil. Most cars will not need topping up in-between services, but if the warning light does come on do not ignore it. Doing so may end up costing you more than a £20 top up of oil.

    Athlon offer driver training which will teach your drivers not only how to be safe on the roads but also how to save fuel and be more sustainable in their driving habits. Some of our top tips are below:

    EV:

    • A top tip for fuel saving for an EV would be to precondition the vehicle whilst it is still plugged in
    • Warm up your seats and clear the windscreen whilst it is still connected to the mains to avoid using additional electricity on the road and diminishing your range

    All Vehicles:

    • Drive in ECO
    • Ensure you enable ECO mode which will stop the engine when the vehicle is idling and will encourage more gradual acceleration

    More weight uses more fuel:

    • Remove any unnecessary items from the vehicle. The additional luggage will create greater exertion from the vehicle, using more fuel

    Gentle Driving

    • Smooth gradual acceleration uses less fuel than quickly accelerating. If you are driving a manual vehicle think about what gear you are in. Moving through the gears more quickly will keep revs lower and use ore fuel

    Leave a gap:

    • Leaving a gap in front of you is not only safer but allows you to let the car brake naturally without adding any wear and tear on the brakes

     

    Read our handy articles and follow us on LinkedIn for helpful tips throughout the seasons.

    Athlon UK | Articles

    (5) Athlon UK: Posts | LinkedIn

    The UK’s vehicle Type Approval and emissions regulations have changed since Brexit on January 31, 2020. The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and Windsor Framework require Northern Ireland (NI) to follow EU regulations, while Great Britain (GB) will have its own rules. This divergence has created a scenario where different parts of the UK will follow separate regulations for vehicle registration.

    Subsequently since 9th October 2024 Northern Ireland (NI) has no longer shared the same regulatory framework as GB. As a result of this, vehicles for customers in NI must be sourced from NI vehicle retailers and registered in NI. Stock will no longer be transferable from retailer sites across the Irish Sea.

    Athlon UK will continue to support our customers in NI but there are some wider implications for vehicle ordering.

    If a vehicle is to be registered in NI, it now needs to be built to NI specification and coded as an NI build, this process will vary from one manufacturer to the next. NI customers will now therefore need to order from existing NI retailer stock, or make clear at the point of the factory ordering that the vehicle is for ultimate delivery into NI.

    Currently the build specs for NI and GB vehicles remain the same across most manufacturers so pricing, and SMR costs will remain the same – it is just the ordering process that will vary.

    These changes could lead to extended lead times for customers in NI as vehicles in GB pipeline or GB retailer stock will no longer be made available to NI based organisations.

    We will closely monitor this situation and work closely with our NI customers to ensure as little disruption as possible and pass on any insight on vehicle lead times as advised by the manufacturers.

    If you have any further questions on this, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Account Manager.

     

    0330 024 3456

    0333 222 3000

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