How to get your vehicles Autumn-ready: 6 Essential checks from our Autumn drivers guide
Autumn drivers guide, by Kyle Davy, Sales Manager – Fleetmaxx Solutions Ipswich
Autumn driving can create some challenging conditions for drivers. Darker evenings, heavy rain, wet leaves, low sunlight and the first frosts of the year can all make the roads more hazardous.
For businesses operating cars, vans, trucks or mixed fleets, preparing vehicles for autumn is not simply about avoiding inconvenience. It is an important part of keeping drivers safe, reducing unexpected downtime and preventing minor maintenance issues from becoming expensive repairs.
I am Kyle Davey, Sales Manager at Fleetmaxx Solutions in Ipswich. We help businesses reduce the cost of fuel, AdBlue® and fleet operations, but safety and vehicle reliability are just as important. Here are six essential checks from our Autumn drivers guide that can help get your vehicles ready for the colder months.
Our Autumn drivers guide list includes:
1. Check your tyres
Your tyres are the only part of the vehicle in direct contact with the road, so their condition becomes particularly important when roads are wet or slippery.
The legal minimum tyre tread depth for cars, light vans and light trailers in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference. However, you may want to consider replacing tyres before they reach this limit, particularly when preparing for challenging autumn and winter conditions.
Drivers should regularly check:
- Tyre tread depth
- Tyre pressures
- Cuts, cracks, bulges or other visible damage
- Uneven tyre wear
- The condition of the spare tyre, where one is provided
Cold weather can cause tyre pressures to fall, potentially affecting handling, braking and fuel efficiency. Uneven wear may also indicate an alignment, suspension or tracking problem that needs attention.
2. Test every light
With the evenings drawing in, drivers are more likely to spend time travelling in darkness or poor visibility.
Every vehicle should have its headlights, brake lights, indicators, reversing lights and fog lights checked regularly. Faulty bulbs should be replaced promptly, while dirty or cloudy lenses should be cleaned so the lights can work effectively.
Do not forget the registration plate lights and any additional lighting fitted to commercial vehicles. Being able to see clearly is essential, but it is equally important that other road users can see your vehicle.
3. Check the battery
A weak battery might cope during the summer before failing when colder weather arrives. Lower temperatures place greater strain on vehicle batteries, particularly during cold starts.
Possible warning signs include:
- The engine turning over slowly
- Dim headlights or interior lights
- Electrical equipment behaving unexpectedly
- A battery warning light appearing
- The vehicle becoming difficult to start
If there is any doubt about the condition of a battery, arrange for it to be tested. Replacing a failing battery in a planned manner is generally far less disruptive than dealing with a vehicle that will not start before an important delivery or customer appointment.
Electric vehicle operators should also remember that colder temperatures can reduce driving range. Drivers should plan journeys carefully and allow an appropriate charging margin.
4. Check and top up vehicle fluids
Fluids play an essential role in keeping vehicles safe, reliable and efficient. Before the colder weather arrives, check the levels and condition of:
- Engine oil
- Coolant and antifreeze
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid, where applicable
- Windscreen washer fluid
- AdBlue® in diesel vehicles fitted with selective catalytic reduction systems
Use a winter-ready screenwash at the correct concentration rather than topping up with plain water, which may freeze when temperatures fall.
Coolant and antifreeze must be suitable for the vehicle and mixed to the correct strength. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, as using an unsuitable product could cause damage.
Running low on AdBlue® can result in warning messages and, if ignored, may prevent the vehicle from restarting. It should therefore form part of the regular checks for applicable diesel vehicles.
Fleetmaxx Solutions can help your business prepare for colder conditions by supplying antifreeze, winter-ready screenwash and British-made, licensed AdBlue®. Whether you operate a single commercial vehicle or a large mixed fleet, we can help you find a reliable and cost-effective supply solution to keep your vehicles topped up and ready for the road.
5. Inspect the wipers and windscreen
Autumn rain, road spray, dirt and low sunlight can seriously reduce visibility.
Wiper blades should clear the windscreen smoothly without squeaking, smearing or leaving areas untouched. If they are cracked, damaged or no longer clearing the glass properly, they should be replaced.
Drivers should also check the windscreen for chips or cracks. Even a small chip can become worse when temperatures change, potentially resulting in a more expensive repair.
Keeping the inside and outside of the glass clean can also help reduce glare from low autumn sunlight and oncoming headlights. Demisters and heated screens should be tested before they are urgently needed.
6. Prepare an emergency autumn drivers kit
Even a well-maintained vehicle can experience an unexpected problem. Carrying a basic emergency kit can make a breakdown or severe delay safer and more comfortable.
Depending on the vehicle and the journeys being completed, a useful kit might include:
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Torch and spare batteries
- Warm clothing, gloves and a blanket
- High-visibility clothing
- Warning triangle, where safe and appropriate to use
- Fully charged mobile phone and charger
- Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
- First aid kit
- Details of the company’s breakdown provider
- Any essential medication required by the driver
Commercial drivers travelling long distances or working in rural locations may need additional equipment based on their routes and the risks involved.
Autumn drivers guide: Final thoughts
Preparing vehicles for autumn is not a one-off exercise. Tyres, lights, fluids, windscreens and other safety-critical components should be inspected throughout the year.
Fleetmaxx Solutions can help businesses make these checks part of their everyday fleet routine through the CheckedSafe driver daily walk-round check app. Drivers can complete and submit vehicle inspections digitally, while fleet managers can monitor checks and make sure defects are reported promptly. This provides a clearer compliance record and helps businesses address potential problems before a vehicle begins its journey.
Unfortunately, breakdowns can still happen, even when vehicles are checked and maintained correctly. That is why we can also help businesses arrange commercial national breakdown and roadside recovery services for individual vehicles and mixed fleets, including cars, courier vans, trucks, heavy goods vehicles and coaches.
National Breakdown offers access to a 24-hour emergency call centre and a network of recovery partners. Cover can be tailored to suit the requirements of the fleet, with services including:
- Roadside assistance and vehicle recovery
- Fleet and business breakdown support
- Accident and incident management
- Out-of-hours call management
- A choice of cover levels
- European breakdown cover
- The ability to add, remove or change vehicles during the policy term
- GAP insurance options
- Pay-as-you-go breakdown assistance
The pay-as-you-go option may be particularly useful for businesses that do not want a traditional insured breakdown policy. You only pay when assistance or recovery is required, making it a flexible option for many different vehicle types.
A few simple checks today could prevent a great deal of disruption tomorrow. By combining regular driver inspections with dependable breakdown support, your business can head into autumn with safer vehicles, better visibility over defects and genuine peace of mind.
If you would like to learn more about CheckedSafe, fleet fluid supplies or suitable breakdown and roadside recovery support, please contact the Fleetmaxx Solutions team. We will be happy to help.
