Autumn is in full swing and in many parts of the country, winter weather gets started early. If you're expecting to see ice in October, now is the time to start the winter season preparations. And in few industries are seasonal changes more important than managing a vehicle fleet.
Whether you provide field services of ferry execs between office locations, driving in freezing and icy conditions can be incredibly dangerous. Even the pros sometimes slide on black ice or can get stuck in a snow drift.
In order to keep your routes running and your drivers safe, preparing the fleet for icy winter conditions is crucial. Because no matter how skilled your drivers are at handling snow and ice, they are ultimately relying on the vehicle to start up in the cold and work properly when snow starts to hit the windshield.
A great fleet manager knows that winter prep is about more than tire chains and a working heater. It's about making sure your vehicles are in top condition and ready to perform when the temperature falls below freezing.
Switch to Fresh Winter Tires
All-weather tires are great for versatile driving most of the year, but they may not have enough winter traction for how bad the ice and snow can get in your region. If vehicles on local roads need extra grip to stay safe, don't be shy about switching to winter tires around the time of the first freeze.
Put your all-season tires away for a few months and break them back out in the Spring when their ability to handle rainy, dry, and warm roads become valuable again.
Freeze-Resistant Windshield Wiper Fluid
Windshield wiper fluid seems like a trivial detail right up until you need it, hit the button, and nothing comes out. In some cases, wiper fluid can be the difference between life and death.
And in these situations, the last thing you want is for your drivers to realize the fluid has frozen in the tank. Standard and warm-weather wiper fluid can absolutely freeze and become useless in the winter when your drivers need it most.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Empty and refill the fluid tanks with cold-weather wiper fluid. These usually have a high mix of alcohol which does not freeze and is still effective at keeping your windshield clear of smears, bug guts, and dangerous frozen layers of sleet or half-melted snow.
Unpack the Winter-Weight Oil
Like wiper fluid, the oil in each vehicle also responds to very low temperatures. While the oil won't freeze, it will thicken until it can't circulate through the engine easily. Too cold, and your engine won't start with very few possible solutions if this happens while your drivers are out on the road.
At your next oil change for the fleet. clear out your summer oil and add winter-weight oil instead. Winter oil is thinner so that when it thickens in the cold, it still has a low enough viscosity to do its job.
Check Brakes, Batteries, and Heaters
Finally, give each vehicle a complete and thorough check-up. Pay particularly close attention to the brakes, the batteries, and the climate control heater. The brakes are crucial for ensuring safety on the road and can be adversely affected by the cold.
Batteries, particularly old car batteries, have a tendency to die when left in a cold car overnight or during a several-hour field service call. And, of course, the heater is absolutely necessary to keep your drivers and field teams warm no matter how cold it gets outside.
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The winter is a dangerous time for professional drivers. Spending extended hours driving over hundreds of miles of icy roads requires your drivers to have every possible safety advantage. With winter-ready vehicles, you can ensure that traction, performance, and comfort will never add to the already risk driving conditions.
For more expert tips on business fleet management this winter, contact us today!
