Winter is Coming:

Protect Your Fleet

As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, fleet managers across the East Coast and North are facing the annual challenge of winter weather. From icy roads and freezing temperatures to reduced visibility, proactive winter maintenance is important to increasing fleet safety and decreasing downtime.  

At GPS Insight, we understand the importance of keeping your fleet vehicles running through the winter months. Let’s look at some ways our technology helps you battle the elements.

Combatting the cold

Before the first snowflake falls, schedule complete vehicle inspections. This includes checking tire pressure, antifreeze levels, and the entire cooling system (including coolant and hoses). Don’t forget to inspect wiper blades and make sure your washer fluid is ready for freezing temperatures.

Cold starts

Cold weather can significantly impact engine performance. For diesel engines, consider using anti-gel additives in your diesel fuel to prevent gelling and help with smooth cold starts. No one wants to wake up to a frozen vehicle, so block heaters can also be useful for maintaining the engine block temperature overnight.

Fuel systems and more

Winter temps can also affect your fuel system. Make sure fuel filters and water separators are in good condition to prevent breakdowns and increase fuel efficiency. For heavy-duty vehicles, pay close attention to the air system. Make sure air dryers, air tanks, and air pressure are maintained correctly to prevent freezing. Don’t forget the heating system. Keep up a reliable heating system by inspecting heaters before the winter season begins.

Defrosting

Cold temperatures and bad weather conditions cause ice and condensation buildup on windshields, which of course affects visibility if you don’t take the time to warm up the vehicle. Not only that – it can disrupt the view of your smart dash cameras. A properly working defroster is needed, along with high-quality wiper blades. Drivers should be reminded to take some extra time to make sure everything is clear and ready to record. Also – watch out for cracks in your windshield. Check your camera mount!

Icy roads

Winter driving means drivers have to take extra caution. Make sure your fleet vehicles have good tread depth on their tires to keep traction on icy roads. Train drivers on safe winter driving and focus on the importance of slowing down and increasing following distance.

Telematics

GPS Insight telematics solutions provide real-time data on vehicle location, performance, and driver behavior. This allows you to monitor vehicle health, identify potential issues (like low tire pressure or cooling system malfunctions), and schedule preventive maintenance. Of course, this is even more important during the winter months.

Data-driven decisions

Our reporting and analytics tools to track vehicle performance, help you find the best routes, and reduce unnecessary mileage. This can help improve fuel efficiency, minimize wear and tear, and extend the useful life of your fleet vehicles.

Preventive maintenance

At GPS Insight, we can take care of your maintenance reminders! Our Maintenance tab provides a way to track vehicle maintenance and be reminded by custom alerts whenever service is approaching or past due. This way, you can stay ahead of the weather. 

By taking a proactive approach to winter maintenance and using GPS Insight telematics, you can keep your fleet running safely through the long, dark winter months. Contact GPS Insight today to learn how we can help you improve your fleet operations and make sure winter weather doesn’t leave you on the side of the road.