Is your business vehicle still winter-proofed?

How to keep your fleet rolling safely, efficiently and profitably as temperatures remain cool.

Keeping your business vehicle or fleet in good condition and running profitably isn't a ‘in the moment’ or single decision – it's a year-long pursuit of marginal gains.

With winter coming to an end, there's plenty you can do to keep the safety, economy and performance of your fleet at its optimum while ensuring it's ready to keep on rolling through spring and summer.

Tyre pressure in winter: why it matters for fuel and safety

Cold air is more dense than warm air and that means tyres naturally lose pressure as temperatures drop.

Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance than correctly inflated ones, which means your vehicle has to work harder and uses more fuel. Keeping all tyres at the right pressure is key to improving fuel efficiency and extending tyre life.

In the case of a larger fleet that covers over thousands or even 100,00s of kilometres, regular pressure checks and adjustments can make a significant difference to annual fuel and tyre costs.

If it's a heavy vehicle with a constantly changing weight, a central tyre-inflation system – which automatically keeps tyres properly inflated as you drive, meaning no time-wasting stops to check and adjust pressure – could amplify the gains.

Save fuel and reduce risk with a winter driver refresher

Various studies have shown that fuel economy naturally dips in colder temperatures. Slippery roads and poor visibility also increase the chances of being involved in a traffic collision, making winter a good time for drivers to refresh training that can minimise or prevent these downsides.

Smooth acceleration, braking and cornering have always been the bedrock of safe, efficient driving, but really focusing on the 'smooth' technique or incentivising your drivers to do so can deliver significant efficiency gains.

Drivers should also know that advances in engine technology mean they don't need to warm up vehicles anymore, not unless fogged-up windows are causing potential visibility issues and they need to use the heating/defrost system.

Optimise fleet-management and use fuel cards to improve winter fuel efficiency

Fleet managers have their part to play in balancing winter's natural fuel-economy impact too.

Paying strict attention to or investing in the tools needed for the most efficient route planning, ensuring vehicles aren't lugging around heavy loads or items when they don't have to and making sure every vehicle is properly serviced and maintained (see below) can deliver bigger gains than in the more temperate months.

Don't forget to utilise all the benefits of corporate partners too, a business fuel card like Shell Card to tap into discounts, track fuel use and access full Xero/MYOB integration to manage your fuel spend. Shell's wide metro and regional network and ease of access also make for simpler route planning and a better deal for drivers.

Don't let poor maintenance increase the risk

Wet, foggy or stormy weather and slippery roads come with inherent risks but a company's maintenance practices can help minimise them.

Ensuring your vehicles are up to date on servicing is mandatory all year to maximise the safety, performance and efficiency of any fleet but it's even more crucial when the road conditions can be uncertain – if any vehicles are behind on their servicing or have recently developed a mechanical issue, book them in promptly.

And don’t underestimate basic auto maintenance tasks. A poorly adjusted headlight or perished wiper blade might seem trivial but on a wet, dark, rainy day it could be the difference between having or avoiding a collision – and a company having or not having to grapple with the inevitable insurance, OH&S, cost, productivity and other challenges that come from any collision involving a fleet vehicle.

_Disclaimer
^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}