Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Fleet for Winter

While the winter season starts to cool things off, most fleet managers can feel like they’re on thin ice.

Black ice, salted roads, and harsh weather conditions are a few things that can take a toll on your vehicles and your drivers. With the winter season as unforgiving as it typically is, fleet managers don’t always have the foresight to “expect the unexpected.”  

This results in complications down the road. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top 5 suggestions we’d suggest any fleet take as preventive maintenance for the cold temperatures.  

1. Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR):

With fleet vehicles that are out on cold, salty roads, it helps to keep an eye on your vehicle’s conditions, especially when it comes to inspections.   

Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) can help you get a better pulse on the conditions of your vehicles by offering formal documentation for regulatory compliance and fostering seamless communication between drivers and maintenance teams.  

DVIR software removes the need for paper and makes any and every trip quick and efficient for you and your customers with robust features like:  

• Monitoring maintenance schedules based on actual vehicle usage. 
• Optimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency. 
• Automated inspection reminders, paired with integration into maintenance management systems.  

These reports create an easier approach to identifying, reporting, and promptly resolving issues, giving you better peace of mind. The last thing you want your drivers to be worrying about is making sure they do all their paperwork correctly. 

2. Dash Cams Can Catch Accidents on Snowy/Icy Roads:

Improper training or distracted driving on icy roads can lead to accidents. Whether it’s your drivers or the drivers around them, the best protection is a dash cam.  

Drive360 and Driveri cameras are some of the best in the market and the ones we encourage all of our partners to use.

Evidence for Insurance Claims: 

Depending on the size of your fleet, Drive360 and Driveri cameras act as vigilant witnesses on the road, capturing high-quality footage in real-time. With this full-time passenger, you have evidence to substantiate any claim that comes across your desk in the future. 

In the event of accidents or incidents during winter driving, this footage serves as compelling evidence for insurance claims. The clear and detailed recordings help establish the sequence of events, determine liability, and facilitate a smoother claims process.  

The Drive360 and Driveri dash cameras help in winter fleet activities and year-round safety by providing irrefutable evidence for insurance claims, aiding in understanding the real causes of incidents, improving driving behaviors, and offering real-time monitoring capabilities.  

Their integration with GPS tracking systems further enhances their effectiveness, making them powerful investments for ensuring the safety and security of fleet operations during challenging colder months and beyond.

3. Getting the Right Winter Tires:

Another important step in winter fleet preparation is installing the right tires. Whether your winters are rainy or extra snowy, you should always consider changing from the tires you were using in the spring and summer seasons.  

If you live in a region that gets frequent snow and ice, here are some tire considerations to better prepare your fleet. Regular maintenance such as checking tire pressure and tread levels should be a diligent practice. Different climates impact tire functionality in different ways. Here are some options for improving driver safety. 

Studded Tires: Studded winter tires feature small metal studs embedded in the tread. These studs enhance traction on icy surfaces by biting into the ice, providing better grip and stability.   Studded tires excel in extreme winter conditions, particularly on roads where ice is a prevalent concern. Just make sure to check the studs and consider changing them out for different tires if you having a calmer winter.

Tire Chains: Tire chains are another solution for extreme winter roads. These are physical chains that wrap around the tire, creating additional traction on snow and ice.   Chains are versatile and can be used on various types of vehicles, making them a practical option for fleets with diverse transportation needs. They’re also much easier to take on and off compared to studded tires.

As a fleet manager, you know your drivers and their capabilities best. Be sure to give proper training on how to drive in winter weather even if snow and ice are not in your forecast.

4. Best Practices for Cold Weather Fleet Maintenance:

As you protect the outside of your vehicles, it’s just as important to prepare and protect the inside.  

Gelling diesel engines, dead batteries, and frozen fluids are signs of improper fleet care. Thankfully, you can practice proactive maintenance to stay ahead of the unforgiving elements.   

Common Tools To Keep Your Fleet Warm 

Combat cold weather challenges by incorporating winter-grade diesel with additives that prevent fuel gelling. Fuel conditioners and anti-gel additives ensure optimal engine performance in freezing conditions. 

You can also maintain fuel tanks by insulating them to sustain a consistent temperature, preventing rapid cooling. Fuel heaters are effective in keeping fuel at an optimal temperature, particularly during cold starts. 

Our recommended maintenance checklist includes: 

• Checking brake pads. 
• Clearing any dirt and snow build-up behind your tires. 
• Cleaning vehicle undercarriage for any corrosion from salt on the roads. 
• Topping essential fluids like power steering, antifreeze, and coolant. 
• Replacing essential parts like wiper blades, fuel filters, fuel injectors, and any leaking hoses. 

DVIR Tech for Monitoring: 

If you need an extra hand in keeping track of your fleet, use DVIR technology with fuel level monitoring to gain insights into patterns and identify anomalies.  DVIR technology is a great companion to any fleet management.  Telematics data from DVIR systems offer real-time information on engine health, helping with optimal performance and fuel efficiency. 

Just be sure you’re checking the weather at the end of the day so you know how to keep your fleet operational the next morning.

5. Use Real-Time GPS Tracking Location Dashboards:

Being prepared is the best way to keep your fleet and the drivers around them safe. With winter months, there’s always an unpredictable nature when it comes to road closures and other delays or detours on the road.  

GPS tracking dashboards offer up-to-the-minute insights into the precise locations of fleet vehicles, helping fleet managers make quick, informed decisions.  

Make swift adjustments to routes, making sure vehicles avoid delays and proceed along the safest and most efficient paths. That way you can get to your next job safely and efficiently.  

The ability to proactively respond to dynamic road conditions not only minimizes disruptions but also contributes to safer operations, showcasing how real-time GPS tracking is an invaluable tool for optimizing winter fleet management. 

Maximize the efficiency of your fleet in any weather condition – rain, shine, or snow.  

DVIR and dash camera solutions ensure safety and optimize performance. Take your fleet management to the next level when you step toward a more efficient and secure operation by booking a free demo.