Spring Cleaning: 5 Tips to Prep Your Fleet for Warmer Weather

While the frigid temperatures and gray skies of winter might seem endless, springtime is just around the corner. And with warmer, sunny days on the horizon, the time is fast approaching for fleet managers to prepare their vehicles for the change in season.  

Prepping vehicles for the icy winter months is a standard operating procedure for most fleet managers. But performing basic maintenance when the mercury starts rising is often overlooked — even though it can be equally as important. To help you prepare, here are five “spring cleaning” tips that can protect your fleet and drivers as they head into warmer weather.  

Inspect Tires and Brakes

After the last snowfall of the season, it’s important to remove any snow tires or snow chains from your fleet vehicles. In fact, in some areas, taking this step is a legal requirement, with many states regulating when these can be used.  

Removing winter accessories provides the perfect opportunity to check for signs of wear on a vehicle’s tires, as well as for issues with alignment. During these assessments, you should also check the PSI of all tires. Warmer temperatures can affect tire pressure, and if tires are overfull, temperature fluctuations can be hazardous for your drivers.  

You should also take this time to perform a “health check” on vehicle brakes. Ensuring that brake pads have sufficient thickness and that brake lines aren’t damaged can go a long way in protecting your drivers on the road. 

Prepare Windshield Wipers for April Showers

They're often overlooked, but windshield wipers should always be in good working condition, especially in the typically wet months of April and May.  

Dull or defective wiper blades can dramatically reduce visibility, which poses a real danger to your drivers and others on the road. Fleet managers or drivers should double-check all windshield wipers at the start of spring to ensure they are able to clear the windshield in the event of a downpour. You might also consider stowing spare sets of blades in your fleet vehicles for your drivers to install if they notice any issues with visibility on the job. 

Check for Unwanted Guests

Small animals like squirrels, mice, and rats are notorious for building nests within vehicles. Unfortunately, engine compartments, cabin filters, and the inside of the dashboard are perfect ready-made shelters from wind, snow, and sub-zero temperatures. Though some of these visitors are just looking for a refuge from the cold, many rodents can cause considerable damage to your vehicles by nibbling on wires or making nests in the engine block.  

Your spring maintenance should require drivers to look under the hood and inside the glove boxes for evidence of rodent infestations. Common signs include nesting materials, droppings, chewed wires, or exposed fiber insulation.  

Use Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports

Remember that driver safety doesn’t end with seasonal maintenance. Once your fleet is ready for spring and summer, have your drivers use Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports to identify potential issues before they cause real problems on the road. Ideally, your drivers should inspect their vehicles daily and complete a report that assesses things like exterior lights, tires, windshield wipers, windows, and steering mechanisms to ensure they are in proper working order and free from defects or damage.   

Revisit Driver Safety Protocols

Thanks to more drivers on the road, more construction projects, and more frequent tire blowouts, summer is the most dangerous time to be behind the wheel. In addition to conducting spring maintenance on all your fleet vehicles, set aside some time to reacquaint your drivers with safe driving best practices. This should include a refresher on your company’s training and safety protocols, as well as a review of what they are expected to do in the event of an accident.  

As the ice and gloom of winter begin to fade, don’t discount how hard the winter months can be on your fleet’s vehicles. Following these simple “spring cleaning” tips can help you optimize your fleet for the months ahead and ensure that your drivers are well-prepared to safely breeze through spring and summer.