Severe winter weather can wreak financial havoc on your business. With record-shattering snow last year, drivers and fleet managers relied on Ryder’s Winter Preparedness Hub to remain informed of best practices surrounding fleet maintenance, proactive planning, proper fueling, driver training, and driver safety—all of which can make the difference between an on-time delivery and a breakdown or accident.
For 2015-2016, Ryder has re-designed the online, mobile-friendly Winter Preparedness Hub, where best practices are shared on how to keep fleets winter-ready throughout the chilly season. The site includes short videos from in-house experts, links to weather advisories, and lots of downloadable tip sheets to help you prepare your vehicles and drivers for winter operations.
Watch this short video message from Ryder Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering Bill Dawson, and let Ryder help you manage operations this winter. Remember, with the right preparations, you can maximize fleet uptime, keep drivers safe and avoid expensive fleet maintenance and repair costs over the winter season.
In addition, here are Bill’s four top tips:
- Fleet maintenance: Proactive prevention will go a long way to ensure safety, reliability, and fewer unexpected issues when severe weather strikes. Simple actions like replacing wiper blades with winter wiper blades, and checking for proper tire inflation, are examples of proper maintenance that are key for running an efficient fleet.
- Proper fueling: Make sure that fuel has been blended correctly for the seasonal temperature, and that a cloud point additive is included to prevent fuel filter waxing that causes breakdowns. You should consider the cold temperatures a driver may encounter to reach their destination before hitting the road.
- Driver training: Drivers should be trained and well-informed about how to act in response to different situations. For example, in the event that a warning light turns on, such as the engine regeneration light, it’s crucial that a driver know how to respond in order to ensure safety and maintain fleet uptime.
- Driver safety: Winter weather can add a lot of variables to driving conditions, but extra caution, alertness, and preparation can reduce the risk of possible collisions and/or mechanical failures. Simply increasing following distance or slowing down can ensure a safer trip.
Visit the Winter Preparedness Hub at campaigns.ryder.com/winterdriving to learn more and make sure you are prepared for this winter.
