Adding coolant to a vehicle’s cooling system is one way to keep a fleet vehicle running smoothly in extreme heat. Screenshot via Ford.
How to Deal With Extreme Heat
Across the nation, temperatures have been soaring this spring and summer. June went down in the history books as the hottest June in 140 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
Extreme heat can wreak havoc on vehicles and create dangerous situations for commercial drivers. High temperatures can lead to engines overheating, break downs, and tire blowouts. Make sure to remind your drivers about critical steps they can take to protect their vehicles and themselves during debilitating heat waves.
Experts offer the following nine tips:
1. Check the Battery
Heat evaporates battery fluid more quickly, so check your vehicle’s battery during the summer to ensure it is not corroded.
2. Watch for Warning Lights
The alternator replenishes the battery but when subjected to heat and constant air conditioning it gets pushed to the max. Make sure to watch the battery warning light on the dashboard and if it does not disappear once you start the engine, make sure to get your battery tested.
3. Keep Your Cooling System in Shape
Engines work overtime when the temperatures rise. Periodically flush and replace coolant and check your oil regularly.
4. Properly Inflate Tires
During a summer hot spell, asphalt roads can get as hot as 140 degrees. When underinflated tires meet hot roads it’s a lethal combination — one that raises the risk of blowouts. In the summer months, check tire pressure frequently and make sure to fill them to your vehicle manual’s specifications.
5. Park in the Shade
On an 85 degree-day, the interior of a parked vehicle can reach 100 degrees — in just 10 minutes! To keep your vehicle’s interior as cool as possible, park in the shade or use sunshades to cover your front window. Leaving your windows open just a tiny bit is also a smart move.
6. Turn on the AC
Once inside a hot vehicle, immediately crank up the air conditioning and adjust the vents to have the air come through the lower openings.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drivers should drink plenty of water while on duty in the summer. Even if you’re not feeling thirsty, make sure to keep drinking water.
8. Stop for Breaks
Heat can make drivers drowsy. Make it a practice this summer to pull over and take a break or stretch your legs every few hours.
9. Keep a Survival Kit
In case your vehicle does break down on a very hot day, it’s smart to have a summer survival kit on board. It should include a fully charged cell phone, sunscreen, a first aid kit, healthy snacks and extra water.
Source: https://www.automotive-fleet.com/
FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT
Fleet management is the use of a set of vehicles in order to provide services to a third-party, or to perform a task for our organization, in the most efficient and productive manner with a determined level of service and cost.
Fleet management activities are shown in the following graph 1:
Graph 1: fleet management activities
The proposal audit analyses and assesses all fleet management activities shown in the graph 1, and its main goals are:
- Know the overall status of the fleet management activities
- Provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet management activities
With the information obtained, we’ll elaborate a report that holds the overall status of the fleet management as well as the suggestions, recommendations and the measures to take in order to cut costs and optimize the fleet management activities.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE PROPOSED FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT:
Fleet Management Audit AFMC
Contact:
José Miguel Fernández Gómez
34 678254874
info@advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com
I´m a Fleet Management expert, and the manager of Advanced Fleet Management Consulting, that provides Fleet Management Consultancy Services.
