For business owners, proactive vehicle winter preparation is all the more important. When your business fleet must keep moving despite winter forecasts, making sure each of your vehicles and drivers are equipped to navigate varying conditions could be the difference between a safe route and an unexpected downtime event, or worse. To keep your fleet and drivers safe, Firestone Direct offers a convenient, streamlined option to prep each fleet vehicle right on your fleet lot.

What Do I Need to Prepare on My Car for Winter?

A commonly asked question. Here are some basic tips we recommend for what to winterize on your vehicles to ensure you are prepared ahead of the next winter storm:

• Tires (and tire pressure): For areas that experience extreme cold or frequent snowstorms, we recommend installing winter tires for this season. Unlike your regular tires, winter tires are built with rubber compounds specially designed to resist hardening during cold temperatures, allowing for better grip on the road and better control in winter conditions.
  
  All-season tires are the next best option if you cannot switch to winter tires. Ensure that your tires are above the 2/32” tread depth threshold when we recommend replacing any tire type for a new set. Regularly checking your tire pressure and maintaining optimal pressure can also help with traction on snowy or icy roads.
  
  
• Brakes: Winter conditions may not affect how your brakes operate, but we still encourage you to inspect your brakes to ensure they are in good working condition. This helps ensure your safety when you encounter ice and snow on the road.
• Battery: Cold temperatures can hit your battery hard. As the outside temperature drops, battery power also decreases, requiring more from your battery to start your car. Have your battery inspected to reduce the risk of a dead battery when you need it most.
• Oil and coolant systems: Ensure that your vehicle has enough oil and coolant to run properly, especially in the event of longer commutes or unexpected emergencies. We also recommend having a mechanic inspect for leaks, worn hoses, or other recommended services ahead of winter driving.
• Fluids: Windshield wiper fluid is your friend during winter storms, ensuring you have a clear sight of the road ahead of you. We recommend filling up with a windshield washer fluid with a deicer, formulated for winter temperatures.
• Fuel: While not a maintenance need, it is important to keep your vehicle as close to full as possible. This prevents freezing, and ensures you have enough gas should you encounter lengthy winter delays.

Where you live is also important. In addition to these tips, it’s important to consider where you live when thinking about what to prepare your vehicle with. If you live in a mountainous region, it’s highly likely there are traction laws to abide by during winter storms. This includes recommendations for all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicles, and during extreme weather, may require your vehicle to be equipped with tire chains.

Stay Safe with Winter Vehicle Services Direct to Your Door

Avoid the cold outside and stay warm wherever you are with direct-to-you mobile vehicle service from Firestone Direct. Our mobile mechanics arrive at your business, home, office, or a public parking lot to perform any winter vehicle services you need. They will make sure your vehicles are prepped to navigate treacherous road conditions caused by winter weather, helping to get you to your destination safely.