As part of your Seattle fleet management program, it’s time to start thinking about winter and how to protect your drivers and vehicles in cold temperatures, snow, and icy conditions. Now is the time to prepare for those rough conditions that can wreak havoc on your fleet vehicles and your drivers’ safety. In this article, we’ll discuss a few things you should do to prep your fleet for winter.
Winter is Coming: Seattle Fleet Management Tips for Cold Temperatures
Washington is no stranger to snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. All these winter conditions can have major impacts on your fleet. Therefore, it’s important to take steps as part of your Seattle fleet management program to protect your fleet from issues due to cold weather and winter conditions. Here are some things you can do to help winterize your fleet:
Inspect Your Vehicles Thoroughly for Your Seattle Fleet Management Program
There are many things from a maintenance perspective you can do to help keep your fleet safe this winter. Performing a thorough inspection and repairing or replacing any worn or damaged components can go a long way in improving safety and performance for your fleet this winter. Here are some key areas to check:
- Belts
- Hoses
- Brake pads
- Fluids
- Heater/defroster systems
- Tires
- Water separators & water absorbing fluids
- Fuel tanks
Each of these components can be particularly vulnerable to damage and wear from cold temperatures and other winter conditions. Therefore, make sure each vehicle has these inspected and perform the necessary maintenance for winter Seattle fleet management.
Encourage Good Winter Driving Behaviors
Another important part of winter fleet management is making sure your drivers are driving safely for the conditions. This includes encouraging them to engage in safe driving habits and behaviors as well as doing refresher courses on how to drive safely during the winter. It helps to incentivize and reward good drivers to encourage everyone on your team to be safe and reduce risks on the road.
Put Together Emergency Kits for Every Vehicle
Breakdowns are not good any time of year, but in winter they can be deadly. Therefore, for Seattle fleet management we also recommend putting together emergency kits and making sure they are in every vehicle. These kits should be tailored to your drivers and the type of routes and risks they may face. However, some common things to include are:
- Reflective triangles
- Emergency water
- Non-perishable emergency food
- Road flares
- Flashlights
- Solar blankets
- Jumper cables
- Basic tools like screwdrivers and pliers
Glesby Marks – Top Fleet Leasing & Fleet Management Solutions Across the Nation
Our team at Glesby Marks is here to help your fleet be successful through valuable fleet leasing and management solutions. We work with fleets in Seattle and all over the country to make sure they have the right vehicles and right tools for their needs. Our transportation and logistics experts are here to help you ensure your fleet is ideal for your needs. Call us today at (800) 482-9498 to get started with our management and leasing solutions.