November 25, 2024
Strategy for Preparing Your Fleet for Cold Weather Conditions
Tosha Missel, PacLease Senior Marketing Specialist
Joe Vatalaro, PacLease Director of Maintenance
Operating fleets in cold weather presents its own set of challenges. As fleets navigate the diverse routes across various states and provinces, they often encounter a wide range of weather conditions. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in North America, it is important for your fleet to be well-prepared for any driving condition. To ensure safety and efficiency during the winter months, it is essential to develop a comprehensive strategy for readying your trucks for severe weather conditions. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your drivers are well prepared in the event they become stranded.
Proactive Preventive Maintenance
Establish a maintenance schedule that emphasizes preparation for cold weather conditions. This involves regularly inspecting and servicing vehicles to ensure they operate at peak performance during the winter months.
Fuel System Management & Fuel Filters
Replace aging fuel filters to avoid problems caused by contaminants that could impair vehicle operation.
Water Separators
Check and drain water separators daily to avoid water-in-fuel issues that can lead to engine complications.
Fuel Tanks
Ensure that fuel tank caps are clean and tightly sealed to avoid contamination. Additionally, routinely clean diesel pump nozzles prior to refueling to preserve fuel quality.
Electrical System Readiness & Battery Maintenance
Ensure all electrical components, including lights and hazard signals, are fully operational. Visibility is crucial for safety in adverse weather conditions. Regularly check batteries for corrosion and ensure they have adequate voltage, as cold temperatures significantly reduce battery efficiency.
Visibility Enhancements
Replace windshield wipers and use winter-grade windshield washer fluid to maintain clear visibility during storms and poor weather conditions.
Tire Safety, Tire Performance, Tire Tread, & Tire Pressure
Check tire pressure before each trip, as cold weather causes it to decrease, affecting fuel efficiency and safety. Inspect tire tread to ensure sufficient traction for driving in snowy and icy conditions. If tire tread is low, a good preventative maintenance practice is to replace tires in the fall month to prevent potential slippage and safety issues.
Chains
Inspect your tire chains to ensure links are not broken or worn. Replace any chains with signs of damage immediately. After each use, clean any debris or salt off them as soon as possible to prevent rusting.
Monitor Freezing Points
Be aware of the freezing points for Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and diesel fuel. Implement strategies, such as insulated blankets for DEF and winter grill covers for engines, to minimize gelling and crystallization.
Fuel
As cold weather approaches, different states use different winter fuel additives. If you are filling up your tank in a southern state and operating in a colder climate, your fuel mix might not be adequate to sustain engine performance. In extreme cold, anti-gel fuel additive might be required to prevent fuel from freezing and causing the engine to stall.
Engine Warmth and Protection
Use block heaters for overnight parking in extremely cold temperatures to keep engines warm and operational. Consider the design of your truck to ensure it can accommodate necessary heating options for diesel engines.
Ice Build-Up & Leaks
Conducting thorough daily pre- and post-trip inspections is crucial in extremely cold conditions. Look for leaks – especially when it comes to the cooling system. Keep in mind ice and snow can build up quickly. If ice develops on wiring or hoses, the extra weight may cause connections to become loose. Additionally, if you operate an APU, it's important to inspect for ice accumulation and verify that snow is not obstructing your intake or exhaust systems.
Awareness and Planning
Stay informed about potential weather-related hazards, especially when operating in regions prone to flooding or severe storms. Incorporate weather checks into pre-trip planning to avoid flooded roads and other dangerous conditions that could damage vehicles or lead to brake failure.
Driver Preparedness
Ensure your drivers are well-equipped for severe weather by providing them with a winter driving kit. This kit should contain essential items such as an ice scraper and snow brush, flashlight, jumper cables, a shovel, and a blanket. Additionally, drivers may want to consider including non-perishable food and water in the event they become stranded.
Prevent Corrosion
Keeping your vehicle looking pristine during winter can be challenging due to the dirt and snow. However, another factor affecting your undercarriage is the salt and de-icing chemicals that accumulate from the road. The best way to protect your truck from these corrosive substances is to take it through a truck wash. You’ll appreciate this maintenance choice in the long run.
Aggressive Maintenance Strategy
Establish a comprehensive preventive maintenance program specifically designed for winter conditions to boost vehicle uptime and ensure dependable performance during the colder months.
EV Truck Units
Cold weather adds additional stress to battery efficiency and operation for Electric Vehicles. Perform battery testing, cleaning and use battery protectant prior to the first cold weather occurrence to ensure you have a strong battery to start your vehicle throughout the winter months.
By equipping your fleet with these measures, you can improve safety, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns caused by extreme weather. This forward-thinking approach will safeguard your drivers and vehicles while also reinforcing your business’s reputation for reliability and professionalism.
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