Cold weather effects to fleet vehicles

During the cold weather months we experience issues daily with the elements and have to overcome adverse effects with vehicles as a result of the cold mornings.

Things that can go wrong:

1. Battery – The battery is the most common cold weather failure to expect with statistics reflecting a common 12V battery to lose between 30-50% capacity at freezing temperature.
2. Engine oils and fluids – Cold weather thickens fluids used to make the engine run smooth and could cause problems with engine performance such as sluggish engine response or a knocking from the engine on startup.
3. Tyres – Tyre pressures drop roughly 1 PSI for every 5.5 degree drop in temperature this could lead to poor traction or handling or uneven tyre wear making costly replacement of tyres where this could be avoided.
4. The cold weather doesn’t usually damage brakes but things such as moisture and salt which we affiliate with cold weather could cause potential issues with brakes e.g. reduced stopping power, Soft or spongey brake pedal and or grinding/squealing noises.
5. Cooling systems (yes even in winter) – engine overheating despite cold weather. The incorrect coolant mix could lead to it freezing and potentially cracking either the radiator or engine block under extreme circumstances.
6. Belts, Hoses and Rubber parts – The cold weather makes rubber parts of the engine such as wet belts, timing belts and seals brittle making these prone to cracking. These can then cause leaks of fluids.

Adam’s Quick cold-weather prevention checklist

• Have a winter safety check by a qualified garage to test things such as the battery health before winter
• Ensure the correct oil viscosity is used during any top ups or services
• Check tyre pressure’s on a monthly or weekly basis
• Ensure when topping up coolant a proper mix is achieved (usually the mix is written on the bottle)
• Keep up with regular maintenance of your vehicle so garages can visually inspect rubber components such as belts and hoses
• Always carry jumper cables and or an emergency kit in your vehicle in case of a breakdown.

By Adam Robbins