As the winter season comes to a close and the temperatures start to rise, it’s time to transition your work trucks and fleet vehicles from their cold-weather duties to the spring season. Proper maintenance at this crucial juncture can help ensure that your vehicles perform at their best, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and extend their lifespan.
There are several essential maintenance tasks that will get your work trucks and fleet ready for the spring season, including cleaning, inspecting key components, and proactively addressing any wear and tear accumulated over the winter months. If you can check these tasks off your to-do list, your work vehicles will be in excellent shape for the upcoming season!
Cleaning Off Winter Road Salt and Debris
One of the most important first steps in preparing your fleet for spring is to thoroughly clean the vehicles. Winter weather, especially in areas where road salt is used to de-ice roads, can cause significant damage to a vehicle’s body and undercarriage. Salt can corrode the metal components of your trucks and lead to rust over time, resulting in costly repairs. Make sure to wash your trucks thoroughly, paying special attention to the undercarriage and wheel wells where salt and debris tend to accumulate. You might also consider a professional undercarriage cleaning, especially if your fleet operates in areas with frequent snow and ice. Applying a protective wax coating to the vehicle’s exterior can help create a barrier against future salt and grime buildup.
Inspecting Tires and Brakes
Winter conditions can take a toll on tires and brakes, which are crucial to the safety and efficiency of your fleet. As the weather warms, it’s essential to inspect and maintain these critical components. Inspect your tires for wear, cuts, or punctures. Cold weather can cause tires to lose pressure, and snow and ice can cause damage that may not be immediately visible. Ensure the tire tread is still sufficient for safe driving in spring conditions. You’ll also want to rotate and balance the tires as needed. As for your brakes, you should have your brake pads and rotors inspected for wear. If you notice any squeaking, grinding, or reduced braking performance, it’s important to address these issues promptly.
Replenishing Fluids
Cold weather can affect the performance of vital vehicle fluids, and spring is the perfect time to check and replenish them. Your engine oil, coolant/antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and hydraulic fluid if applicable should all be topped up around this time of year so that your trucks are ready to deliver peak performance and prevent engine strain throughout the busy spring season.
Preparing Equipment for Storage or Service
If your work trucks are equipped with winter-specific tools like snowplows, salt spreaders, or compressors, now is the time to store them properly or service them for next year’s use. Clean any remaining salt or road grime off of these pieces of equipment, grease the moving parts, and inspect them for damage or wear. Afterwards, you’ll want to store the equipment in a dry, secure location to protect it from rust and corrosion. If you anticipate using the same equipment next winter, schedule any necessary maintenance now to address any issues. This could include replacing worn-out parts, oiling moving components, or conducting a full-service check.
Professional Truck ServicesÂ
To ensure your fleet is fully prepared for the transition to spring, it can be helpful to work with a trusted shop like Levan Machine and Truck Equipment that specializes in vehicle and equipment repairs and maintenance. From hydraulic maintenance to welding repairs, here in Fleetwood we have the tools and expertise to take care of your fleet and get you ready for whatever the year has in store!
Spring is the perfect time to get your work trucks and fleet vehicles back into peak condition. By cleaning off winter road salt, inspecting tires and brakes, replenishing fluids, and properly storing or servicing winter equipment, you can ensure a smooth transition into the warmer months. Don’t wait until an issue arises—schedule your spring maintenance now to maximize the efficiency, safety, and longevity of your fleet.Â