4 Simple Fleet Maintenance Steps to Prepare for Fall Weather

As unfortunate as it sounds, summer has come to a close. While the days of warm temperatures and trips to the beach are mostly behind us, life must carry on for the nation’s many businesses and fleets. And, this means getting ready for inclement weather and rough road conditions that can put some serious wear and tear on vehicles.

As the manager of your company’s vehicles, you should start thinking about the cold, dark days of winter as early as possible. In fact, since the fall season has officially arrived, now is the perfect time to get started on some preventative maintenance and other key steps to ensure your fleet remains in tip-top shape. Best of all, many things you can do are low-cost and effective – plus they’ll even end up saving you money down the line.

Here are four of the more painless steps you can take today to get your fleet ready for fall weather:

1. Look over your vehicles for problems
Bad weather can be a problem for your vehicles, but it can also prove challenging for your drivers. To help them handle low visibility and poor roads, you must first identify problems. For example, look at your tires for uneven wear and consider having them rotated. Also, check the spare to ensure it is properly inflated. Finally, you’ll want to look at your wiper blades and consider switching them out for newer versions.

2. Keep the engine performing well
Your vehicles’ engines take a beating over the course of each year. To help them maintain their best performance, you may want to top off all fluids now. Antifreeze is incredibly important this time of year, and adding some more washer fluid that is better suited for cold weather is also helpful. Also, check your vehicles’ break fluid levels – a small amount in the reservoir could be a sign you have a leak.

3. Get your batteries tested
Nothing is worse than a car that won’t start in the winter. To prevent these future problems, the fall is the perfect time to have all your vehicles’ batteries tested. Bad connections or corroded wires can be big issues, but when caught early they are easy and inexpensive to fix. Spend the time now so your drivers aren’t stuck on the side of the road.

4. Get the right supplies in the vehicles
A cold-weather survival kit is a must for any vehicle. Before the snow starts to fall, make sure your entire fleet has the right gear. That includes a snow brush, flashlight, jumper cables, road salt, flares and first aid, just to name a few key items.