Summer might mean a vacation in the minds of many, but for fleet managers, it can mean headaches and complications. The heat and increased travel can put added stress on your vehicles and drivers. However, with the right planning and preparation, summer and fleet management can go together—and you can keep your vehicles running smoothly and safely during the hotter months. 

 

1. Keep Up With Maintenance

Regular maintenance is always important, but it’s especially crucial during the summer. High temperatures can cause additional wear and tear on your vehicles, so it’s important to stay on top of oil changes, tire rotations, and other routine maintenance tasks. It’s also a good idea to have your air conditioning system checked and serviced before the hot weather hits to ensure it’s working properly. This will help keep your drivers comfortable and safe during long trips. It could also be a time to consider a temperature monitoring system for your cargo haulers, which can warn you if a malfunction is threatening a load that needs to be transported in a climate-controlled environment. 

 

2. Stay Hydrated

One of the most overlooked challenges when it comes to summer and fleet management is the wear and tear it can inflict on your drivers. Summer heat can be dangerous for drivers, especially those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel. It’s important to remind—and insist!—your drivers to stay hydrated and take regular breaks to avoid heat exhaustion. Provide them with plenty of water and encourage them to take advantage of rest stops and other opportunities to cool down. You can also equip your vehicles with sunshades and window coverings to help keep the interior cool.

 

3. Monitor Tire Pressure and Fuel Economy

Hot temperatures can cause tire pressure to increase, which can put added stress on your tires and increase the risk of a blowout. Make sure your drivers are checking tire pressure regularly and adjusting it as needed. The best fleet management systems integrate tire pressure monitoring across your fleet to help you keep track in real-time and alert you to any potential issues. Fuel economy is a key leading indicator of vehicle health, too. Tracking it carefully and comprehensively with your software package can give you early warning of a potential mechanical issue—and give you the time to fix it before a vehicle gets disabled out in the field. 

 

4. Plan Routes Carefully

Summer travel can be unpredictable, with increased congestion and road closures due to construction and other factors. Plan routes carefully to avoid these issues and help your drivers reach their destinations safely and on time. A comprehensive fleet management tool like GPS Trackit lets you both plan routes and make adjustments in real-time to help your drivers maneuver more efficiently.  

 

GPS Trackit’s Fleet Advisors have answers to your questions about summer and fleet management—and many other solutions you might need for your business. Set up a free demo today.