Town centre driving: How to improve fuel consumption

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Town centre driving: How to improve fuel consumption.

Telford is a busy town, there are lots of stops and starts, queues and the dreaded rush hour. Not great for fuel consumption. While we can’t do anything about the cost of fuel, SSH Self Drive can give you a few useful tips on how to improve fuel consumption while driving around the town centre.

1. Keep your car in good working order to improve fuel consumption

The first way to improve fuel consumption is to make sure that your car is in top condition. This is something that you can rest assured with when you hire from SHH Self Drive. All of our vehicles are maintained and checked before anyone takes them onto the road. Simply driving a car that is working correctly, will help to improve fuel consumption.

2. Drive smoothly and enjoy your Telford trip

Telford is a busy place and with lots of traffic comes lots of stops and starts when driving. Driving smoothly is important when trying to improve fuel consumption. Over-acceleration or over-breaking will have a negative effect on your fuel consumption. The aim of the game is to waste as little energy as possible, so gradual acceleration to reduce your chance for needing to brake quickly is a good tactic for helping to save on petrol.

3. A lighter car will improve fuel consumption

The heavier the car, the more fuel it will use. You can make a big difference by removing anything which is not required for journeys in the near future, for example a child’s car seat or the golf clubs in your boot. Any extra weight in the car increases fuel consumption – there’s a significant saving to be made by keeping light.

4. Switch off the air conditioning to turn on fuel savings

Not that it is warm enough to have the air conditioning on just yet, but this can actually affect your fuel consumption. Limit the frequent use of your heater and cooler as this can contribute to the amount of petrol you use. Instead wind down your window to let fresh air circulate when you are driving around Telford, as this will save you pennies in petrol.

5. Plan your journey

At rush hour, like most towns, Telford can be a very challenging place to drive through. So we advise you to plan your journey in advance. Planning your journey will actually improve your fuel consumption as it will cut the time you are stopping and starting  in queues. It will also eliminate driving further than you have to. Planning your journey will help you to avoid traffic black spots and busy times if possible.

SSH Self Drive has a wide selection of cars for hire. If you are based in Telford or Staffordshire and are looking to hire a car, please contact us today: www.sshselfdrive.co.uk

About SSH

SSH Self-Drive is part of the South Staffs Hire group of companies based in Stafford & Telford. South-Staffs Hire Group was founded by co – owners Darrell Miller and Paul Graham in June 2005.

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 Stafford - 01785 319 619
 Telford - 01952 427 770
 Freephone - 0800 285 1414
 Email - info@sshselfdrive.co.uk

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HIRING INFORMATION

DRIVER AGE

All drivers must be aged between 21 and 75 inclusive. Drivers under the age of 23 may only rent vehicles up to Standard category1 and would be subject to a young driver surcharge. Drivers over the age of 70 are also subject to the same surcharge.2
1Standard category is cars up to a 1400cc and small vans (i.e. SWB Transit)
2 Under / Overage drivers surcharge is charged at £10.00 per day PLUS VAT.

DRIVING LICENCES & HISTORY

All hirers who will be insured to drive South Staffs Hire vehicles must produce a full valid driving licence with their current address (having a current address on your driving licence is a legal requirement); this must be done in person, at the time of collection. No copies of licences will be accepted.

Drivers aged between 23-75 must have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months. Minor licence endorsements up to 6 points are accepted. Major endorsements i.e. UT, DD, DR & IN are subject to insurance clearance and the hire location would need to be informed before reservation is placed. Drivers aged under 23 must have held a licence for at least 24months and be free of major endorsements. (For full clarification please contact office) Minibus rental is only available to renters over the age of 25 holding category D1 on their licence.

INSURANCE EXCESS DEPOSITS & LIMITS

Insurance is subject to an insurance excess. This excess is the amount that would be left as a deposit at the outset of a hire. The excess this is what the hirer would be liable for in the event of damage occurring to the hire vehicle, different vehicles attract different access levels; these levels are listed on the booking screen. Excess waivers are available.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

As well as the full drivers licence the main driver must produce 2 forms of identification i.e. passport, utility bill, (utility bills must be no less than three months old) at least one confirming home address this should match the address on the drivers licence.

PAYMENT METHOD

Payment is accepted by major credit or debit cards (card payment by 3rd parties is only accepted by prior arrangement. Cash payment is accepted but only if the excess deposit is paid by debit/credit card.

FUEL POLICY

All vehicles are supplied with a full tank of fuel at the start of the hire. Customers may:-

  1. Purchase this tank of fuel at a discounted rate and return the vehicle empty, or
  2. Return the vehicle full at the end of the rental, or
  3. Return the vehicle part full and be charged for missing fuel at the end of the rental

HIRE AGREEMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS

South Staffs Hire Rental Agreement Terms & Conditions of Hire

  1. In this agreement the following terms shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned
    Hirer: The person named on the rental agreement
    Driver: The hirer and / or other person named as such or any other person specifically approved by the Lessor to drive the vehicle during the duration of this agreement
    Vehicle: The original vehicle described or any replacements thereof
    Accessories: The spare wheel, tools or any other items with which is supplied and any replacements thereof
    Rental Period: The period from the date and time stated until the re-delivery of the vehicle back into the physical custody of the Lessor
    Rental Charges: The hire charges for the rental period calculated in accordance with the Lessor’s current tariff
    Refuelling Charge: A surcharge which is added to the cost of the amount of ‘Top-Up’ fuel needed when the vehicle is returned to the Lessor, calculated in accordance with the Lessor’s tariff
    Excess Amount: The sum specified as the excess amount
    Excess Waiver Fee: A fee calculated in accordance with the Lessor’s current tariff which limits the Hirer’s liability to pay the excess amount to the amount of the non-waiverable excess
    Non Waiver Excess: The hirer’s liability will be limited to the amount of non waivable excess if Excess Waiver is purchased in accordance with the Lessor’s current tariff or is part of an inclusive tariff rate offered by the Lessor
    The Insurance Policy: The Lessor’s insurance policy is available for inspection at the rental location
  2. The Hirer Acknowledges that:
    • 2.1 The vehicle is fit for their purpose and undertakes to return it and its accessories to the place and on the date due back specified on the rental agreement
    • 2.2 They have received the vehicle free from apparent defects or damage (except as indicated on the VCF)
    • 2.3 The Lessor has no liabilty in respect of any injury, loss or damage arising from the use of the vehicle, nor shall the Lessor be liable for any indirect loss or damage, or, in the case of consumers, damage which was not foreseeable by both parties
    • 2.4 The Lessor shall not be liable for damages arising from defects or mechanical failures which are attributable to any breach of the manufacturer’s warranty implied by law to take reasonable care or exercise reasonable skill
  3. During the rental period the Hirer shall keep the vehicle and its accessories in his or any approved driver’s possession and shall not allow a third party to take possession of the vehicle or its accessories and when not in use the Hirer shall keep the vehicle and its accessories adequately protected and secured.
  4. The Hirer and any driver shall ensure that the vehicle will not be used:
    • 4.1 for hire or reward
    • 4.2 for racing, pacemaking, rallying, speed testing, driving tuition or similar purposes or for propelling or towing any vehicle, trailer or any other object
    • 4.3 load the vehicle beyond the manufacturers maximum weight limits
    • 4.4 you must not use or allow the vehicle to be used off road or on roads unsuitable for vehicles
    • 4.5 in any manner which might render void the insurance policy, or other contract of insurance
    • 4.6 for any illegal purposes or in contravention of any legislation affecting the vehicle
    • 4.7 by any person who:
      • 4.7.1 is not licensed to drive the vehicle
      • 4.7.2 is under 21 years of age or over 75
      • 4.7.3 is under the influence of drink or drugs
      • 4.7.4 has given a fictitious name, age or address
      • 4.7.5 has not been approved by the Lessor as a driver
      • 4.7.6 has been convicted of a motoring offence the details of which have not been disclosed in writing to the Lessor at the commencement of hire
    • 4.8 outside England, Wales or Scotland without written consent from the Lessor
  5. The hirer agrees to pay on demand:
    • 5.1 Rental charges
    • 5.2 Any appropriate Excess Waiver and any refuelling and miscellaneous charges
    • 5.3 The excess amount in respect of each incident resulting in damage to or loss of the vehicle, its accessories or any property left stored or transported in or upon the vehicle, save to the extent that such damage or loss arises from the actions of the Lessor
    • 5.4 All fines, charges, penalties, costs and expenses (including all charges and penalty charges incurred under a charging scheme) incurred in relation to the vehicle by the Lessor from the commencement of the rental until the vehicle is returned to the Lessor, except where caused through fault of the Lessor
    • 5.5 Any Value Added Tax, local or other taxes payable of any respect of any of the above
  6. The hirer shall compensate the Lessor in full on demand for any loss it suffers as a result of any damage, fire or theft to or of the vehicle including loss of revenue to the Lessor for the period during which the vehicle shall remain unavailable for rental by such reason of such matters and any claims made by any persons in respect of the vehicle whilst it is in the Hirer’s custody. This clause applies whether you have insurance or not. The clause shall not apply to any loss caused by or the responsibility of the Lessor
  7. The Hirer and any driver shall:
    • 7.1 ensure compliance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance policy, which shall be deemed to be included in this agreement as if the same were fully set out herin
    • 7.2 inform the Lessor of any loss of or damage to or fault developing in the vehicle as soon as the Hirer or driver becomes aware of the loss, damage or fault
    • 7.3 at the request and cost of the Lessor permit to be done in his own name all acts and things as may be reasonably required by the Lessor for the purpose of repairing the vehicle or enforcing any rights or remedies or of obtaining relief from other parties in respect of any loss of damage to or in connection with the vehicle and its accessories
    • 7.4 indemnify the Lessor against such loss as is recoverable at law where that is incurred by reason of a breach of this Agreement by the Hirer or any driver
    • 7.5 ensure that maximum payload and individual axle plated weights ore not exceeded
    • 7.6 be responsible for the loading or unloading of the vehicle
    • 7.7 obtain or maintain any necessary operator’s licence
  8. The Hirer and any driver shall not:
    • 8.1 without prior consent of the Lessor incur any liability for repairs to the vehicle in excess of £25
    • 8.2 be an agent or servant of the Lessor for any purpose
    • 8.3 make any claim for loss of or damage to any property left or stored or transported in or upon the vehicle unless due to our negligence.
  9. Even if an excess waiver fee is paid, the Hirer shall be responsible for payment of any excess amount where the loss of or damage to the vehicle or its accessories arises from the negligent or wilful action of the Hirer or any driver
  10. If the Lessor agrees to allow the Hirer to use their own insurance as indicated overleaf, The Hirer must prove that this insurance is valid for the whole of the Rental Period and must have signed to confirm this. The Lessor must be satisfied with the cover and policy conditions, The Lessor may ask your insurers to record their names as owners of the vehicle. If the vehicle is damaged or stolen the Hirer will allow the Lessor to negotiate with the insurers about whether the vehicle can be repaired of the amount of compensation due. The Hirer is financially responsible for settling the claim and paying all costs if the policy does fail and the vehicle is damaged, lost or stolen or a cliam is made by another party
  11. If the Hirer is involved in an accident they must not admit liability at the scene. The Hirer will be responsible for collecting the names and addresses of everyone involved including witnesses. The Hirer should make the vehicle secure, inform the police immediately if someone is injured or that liability is in dispute. The Hirer must then inform the Lessor immediately who will provide an accident report form which must be completed and returned within 2 working days
  12. The period of hire as specified overleaf shall not be extended without the Lessors authorisation in writing and in any event the period of the Agreement shall not exceed 90 days
  13. If the Hirer does not comply with any of the material conditions of this Agreement he shall return the vehicle to the Lessor immediately and pay the Lessor on demand such loss as is recoverable at law where the loss is caused by the Hirer’s non-compliance. Where the Hirer fails to return the vehicle the Lessor shall at liberty to retake possession of the vehicle and all reasonable costs and expenses incidental to recovery of the vehicle shall be paid by the Hirer to the Lessor on demand
  14. Any addition to or alteration of the terms and conditions of this Agreement should be agreed upon writing by the parties
  15. The Hirer agrees that the Lessor may use any information given to carry out market research. If the Hirer in any way breaks this Agreement then the Lessor may give this information to credit reference agencies, The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), debt collectors and any other relevant organisation
  16. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall be deemed to exclude or restrict the Lessor’s liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence or any other liability of the Lessor which cannot be excluded as a matter of law
  17. Your vehicle reservation wiill be held for 1 hour after the booking date / time unless otherwise advised of your lateness – after this grace period the vehicle will be released back to available stock and a 25.00 no show fee will be charged.

Cancellation Policy

All reservation must be cancelled 24 hours in advance or charges will apply, Charges vary from £25:00 – £50:00 depending on size of vehicle – For further information please ask a member of staff when reserving a vehicle

THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE PART OF THE RENTAL AGREEMENT