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When fleet vehicles are not available for use, your company can experience a trickle-down effect. You may have to adjust work schedules, you may lose sales, and clients may be left dissatisfied.
To minimize this risk and reduce your overall fleet expenses this winter, here are five areas of your vehicles to inspect and fix before cold weather sets in. This preventive maintenance also can keep your fleet away from danger throughout the winter.
Tires
Tire inflation is always a primary concern, regardless of the weather. Underinflated tires suffer from excessive wear, especially on the sidewalls, and the added friction reduces fuel efficiency. Overinflated tires offer less grip on the road, and they run a higher risk of tread separation and damage from road debris and potholes. Tire pressure can vary greatly in the course of a day as temperatures rise and fall. So check it at mid-shift as well as the beginning of each day.
Depending on your climate, you might save money over time by investing in two sets of tires for your fleet vehicles, one for winter and one for summer months. Tires designed for specific weather offer superior grip and added safety for your employees that all-weather tires don't match.
Brakes and Water Pumps
Replace both these vital parts before they wear out. Brake pads that are worn thin can become brittle in cold weather, cracking and reducing the car’s ability to respond to the driver. This could put the driver at significant risk of an accident.
Water pumps housed inside the timing belt housing are expensive to replace due to the labor involved. Having them replaced anytime the timing cover is removed is a cost-effective way to maintain them.
Oil and Fluids
Many people don’t realize that engine coolant can lose its effectiveness as it ages. Each fall, your cooling system should be flushed, with fresh antifreeze added. Old or improperly mixed coolant can lead to cracked engine blocks.
While some mechanics recommend using a thinner (lighter weight) oil in cold weather, stick to the recommendations found in your owner’s manuals.
If you have diesel-powered equipment in your fleet, cold weather can cause serious issues if the equipment is not properly cared for. Diesel fuel begins to thicken at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and it gels at 15 degrees. This can cause engine failures due to clogged filters and lines.
When the weather begins to cool, start using an anti-gelling agent before issues arise.
Batteries
Battery failure is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Batteries depend on a chemical reaction to develop and hold a charge. Cold weather slows this reaction and leads to failures. There is little you can do to prevent these problems other than to replace batteries at the first sign of weakness.
If a vehicle’s headlights dim at low RPMs or the engine is slow to turn over, the battery is probably due for a change.
Also, check your distributor caps and alternators as these can drain the battery prematurely.
Belts, Hoses and Wiper Blades
Rubber becomes more rigid and subject to failure in cold weather. This means that a worn belt, cracked hose, or aged wiper blade can fail at any time. Before the onset of cold weather, all hoses, belts and blades should be inspected. Any that appear suspect should be replaced. These parts are generally a minor expense when compared to the expense of repairing the damage their failures can cause.
If a vehicle breaks down, it has to be towed. The average cost of a tow truck in the United States is now $109 for a 5-mile trip. That added expense on top of the cost of repairs and the expenses of downtime can cost your company. Implementing a comprehensive inspection and preventive maintenance program can be more cost-effective than waiting for and reacting to vehicle failures.
Commercial auto coverage is just one of the many insurance coverages Selective offers for businesses. Check with your Selective agent to ensure you are properly covered. Don’t have an agent? Click here to learn more.
To minimize this risk and reduce your overall fleet expenses this winter, here are five areas of your vehicles to inspect and fix before cold weather sets in. This preventive maintenance also can keep your fleet away from danger throughout the winter.
Tires
Tire inflation is always a primary concern, regardless of the weather. Underinflated tires suffer from excessive wear, especially on the sidewalls, and the added friction reduces fuel efficiency. Overinflated tires offer less grip on the road, and they run a higher risk of tread separation and damage from road debris and potholes. Tire pressure can vary greatly in the course of a day as temperatures rise and fall. So check it at mid-shift as well as the beginning of each day.
Depending on your climate, you might save money over time by investing in two sets of tires for your fleet vehicles, one for winter and one for summer months. Tires designed for specific weather offer superior grip and added safety for your employees that all-weather tires don't match.
Brakes and Water Pumps
Replace both these vital parts before they wear out. Brake pads that are worn thin can become brittle in cold weather, cracking and reducing the car’s ability to respond to the driver. This could put the driver at significant risk of an accident.
Water pumps housed inside the timing belt housing are expensive to replace due to the labor involved. Having them replaced anytime the timing cover is removed is a cost-effective way to maintain them.
Oil and Fluids
Many people don’t realize that engine coolant can lose its effectiveness as it ages. Each fall, your cooling system should be flushed, with fresh antifreeze added. Old or improperly mixed coolant can lead to cracked engine blocks.
While some mechanics recommend using a thinner (lighter weight) oil in cold weather, stick to the recommendations found in your owner’s manuals.
If you have diesel-powered equipment in your fleet, cold weather can cause serious issues if the equipment is not properly cared for. Diesel fuel begins to thicken at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and it gels at 15 degrees. This can cause engine failures due to clogged filters and lines.
When the weather begins to cool, start using an anti-gelling agent before issues arise.
Batteries
Battery failure is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Batteries depend on a chemical reaction to develop and hold a charge. Cold weather slows this reaction and leads to failures. There is little you can do to prevent these problems other than to replace batteries at the first sign of weakness.
If a vehicle’s headlights dim at low RPMs or the engine is slow to turn over, the battery is probably due for a change.
Also, check your distributor caps and alternators as these can drain the battery prematurely.
Belts, Hoses and Wiper Blades
Rubber becomes more rigid and subject to failure in cold weather. This means that a worn belt, cracked hose, or aged wiper blade can fail at any time. Before the onset of cold weather, all hoses, belts and blades should be inspected. Any that appear suspect should be replaced. These parts are generally a minor expense when compared to the expense of repairing the damage their failures can cause.
If a vehicle breaks down, it has to be towed. The average cost of a tow truck in the United States is now $109 for a 5-mile trip. That added expense on top of the cost of repairs and the expenses of downtime can cost your company. Implementing a comprehensive inspection and preventive maintenance program can be more cost-effective than waiting for and reacting to vehicle failures.
Commercial auto coverage is just one of the many insurance coverages Selective offers for businesses. Check with your Selective agent to ensure you are properly covered. Don’t have an agent? Click here to learn more.
