How to Prepare Your Fleet Vehicles for Winter Conditions

Cold temperatures and slippery road conditions can take a toll on vehicles. If vehicles aren’t prepared for the weather, it could lead to breakdowns – leaving drivers roadside in dangerous conditions.

One of the most important tasks an operation can do to winterize vehicles is to perform regular preventative maintenance. These scheduled PM services can allow technicians to check the vehicle and ensure it’s ready for cold temperatures and harsh conditions.

Some items that should be checked during preventative maintenance include:

• Antifreeze: Vehicles need enough antifreeze to avoid breakdowns in cold temperatures.

Battery: Like extreme heat, cold temperatures can drain batteries. Batteries should be checked regularly.

Fuel: During winter, fuel tanks should remain at least a quarter of a tank full. This will help prevent freezing and keep vehicles running.

Tires: Winter driving conditions require good traction to allow vehicles to travel through snow and ice. Fleet operations can consider putting winter tires on all vehicles to get better traction. The air pressure in tires should also be checked regularly. Tires can deflate quicker in cold temperatures.

• Windshield Wipers: When snow falls quickly, vehicles need working windshield wipers to keep the snow off of the windows and allow for good visibility.

• Windshield Cleaning Fluid: Wet road conditions can cause windshields to get dirty quickly. Make sure fluids are topped off during PM so it’s available to drivers as needed.

To learn how RTA Fleet Management Software can help your operation with preventative maintenance scheduling, contact us today to request a free demo.