Winter can be a difficult time of year for truck drivers and other fleets that make deliveries across the country as well as freight delivery companies that move products from one place to another. It’s important to be prepared with a roadside assistance plan when you hit the road, whether it’s to stay warm or to get back on the road quickly if you break down or your vehicle becomes stuck in snow or ice.
That’s why this roadside assistance guide will give you tips on how to keep your fleet running smoothly, even during the toughest winter conditions.
Roadside Assistance & Seasonal Safety
Winter is coming! Whether you are a fleet manager, trucker, or someone who just drives in the winter months, you need to take precautions to stay safe. With cold weather comes snow and ice, which can lead to slick surfaces that can make driving difficult. Therefore it’s important to prepare your vehicle with winter tires, and a good emergency kit that includes jumper cables, flares, and blankets in case you end up stranded on the side of the road.
Aside from safety, there are also cost savings to consider when you prepare your car or truck for winter weather. Before heading out onto snow-covered roads, take a few minutes to check your windshield wipers, fluid levels, lights, and tire pressure. Not only will these be helpful in case of an emergency, but they will improve your fuel economy too!
As you prepare your car, don’t forget to keep a few extra gallons of gas in your truck bed. If you do find yourself stranded on the side of a road during inclement weather, you’ll be happy that you have fuel to keep your vehicle warm while you wait for help.
The winter weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to prepare yourself before you head out on a road trip. The little bit of time that it takes to check over your car or truck will make all the difference when you’re trying to keep warm and get home safe!
Winter Driving Statistics
It’s important to take winter driving seriously. Below are some statistics that show the risks of not being prepared this winter.
- When considering winter traffic, car driving accounts for about 70% of accidental fatalities.
- Traffic accidents on snowy, slushy, or icy roads account for 24% of weather-related traffic accidents.
- More than 1,300 people get killed in car crashes in the snow or ice every year.
- About 76,000 people get injured in traffic accidents during sleet or snowfall each year.
- More than 150,000 auto crashes occur annually due to icy roads.
These numbers can be alarming, which is why it is so crucial to have your vehicles prepped before winter hits!
Roadside Assistance & Emergency Kits
When winter weather hits, it’s important to have emergency supplies in your vehicle. Here are some winter emergency kit essentials to consider.
- A fully charged cell phone with an extra battery pack and car charger.
- Extra clothing including gloves, hat, scarf, thick socks, long underwear, boots, or sturdy shoes.
- A fully stocked first aid kit including bandages, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.
- Blanket or sleeping bag.
Emergency kits are a must-have during the winter months and can be purchased at your local stores. Be sure to keep them inside a carrying case, so they don’t take up valuable space in the trunk of your vehicle when you’re not using them.
To stay safe in winter weather, make sure to use your defroster and keep your windows clean, especially if you plan on driving at night. If it’s snowing outside, be sure to keep a small shovel handy so that you can dig yourself out if you get stuck. A backup battery pack is also a great investment because it can power accessories like door locks or flashlights without draining your car battery.
Keep your gas tank full. Running out of gas is a common reason why drivers are stranded on snowy or icy roads. Keeping your gas tank full will help ensure you always have enough fuel to power your engine and get moving again. Guttman Energy offers fleet fuel cards that let you monitor how much money has been spent each month while also offering a variety of other benefits that make it easier for fleets and truckers to run their business while staying safe during the coming winter months.
Driving Preparation
Before setting out on the winter roads, you’ll want to take precautions to ensure a safe drive. Here are some tips that will help keep your fleet safe during the winter months:
- Maintain dependable contacts – You’ll want to have dependable roadside assistance contacts in the event you’ll need roadside towing. Delays in towing, especially in the winter, can be dangerous, so it’s important to work with someone who has experience providing reliable service during inclement weather conditions.
- Quality tires – To avoid getting stuck in snow or ice, make sure your car is equipped with quality winter tires and tire chains. If you’re unsure of which type of tire would suit best for your driving needs, consult with a professional at your local auto parts store.
- Stocked with seasonal supplies – Make sure your fleet is prepared with winter supplies like a shovel, extra blankets, food, and water. Even if you don’t think there is any chance of being stranded away from home, it pays to be cautious when preparing for travel through potentially hazardous areas.
- Test batteries – One more thing to consider before hitting the road this winter is testing your vehicle battery. It’s not uncommon for battery power to diminish during long periods of time when cars aren’t used.
- Use cold-weather formulas – Switch engine oils to a blend designed specifically for winter driving. Cold weather formula blends are less viscous than regular oils and tend to flow better when temperatures drop below freezing.
- Plan around traffic – The key to successful winter driving is knowing what to expect. Avoid traveling during rush hour and plan routes that account for potential delays due to construction or heavy traffic. Be aware of the weather forecast, checking forecasts frequently while in route. This may be the difference between an uneventful drive and one fraught with peril.
- Keep a full tank – Regularly fill up your gas tank to maintain adequate fuel levels. The last thing you want is for your vehicle to stop running because of insufficient fuel.
The key to safety is preparation. A few simple precautions go a long way to ensuring a safe winter driving season for your fleet. To learn more about how Guttman Energy can help you prepare and stay connected with your company this winter, contact us today!
Driving Tips
Driving in the winter can be a daunting task, but with some preparation, it is possible to make a safe trip. Below are some basic driving tips to stay safe during winter driving.
- Pre-trip vehicle inspection and preparation – Check your tires (including pressure), lights (including brake lights), wiper blades, exhaust system, heating/cooling systems, and windows. Make sure there is an emergency kit in your car at all times, including a first aid kit, blankets or sleeping bag(s), snacks/water, a flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Decrease driving speed – Don’t be that vehicle that drives dangerously fast during winter months just because you have 4-wheel drive. Drive slower and keep your distance from other vehicles while trying to maintain traction.
- Increase braking time – To avoid skidding when you need to stop quickly, increase braking time, and keep as much space between you and other vehicles on the road as possible so if one of them does skid out of control, you have enough space to react without hitting them.
- Brake rules – When on icy roads, prohibit using the Jake brake, which sends power to the front wheels, which would make things worse by causing you to lose steering control. Instead, steer into the skid and use your brakes sparingly.
- Chains – Chains are needed on snow-covered or icy surfaces where there is more than 1 inch of snow, ice, or hard-packed snow that has been treated with sand or salt.
These simple driving tips can help keep you and your passengers safe this winter. By following these easy-to-follow steps, you will reduce the chances of getting into an accident and limit potential damage to your vehicle. If you do get into an accident, call a roadside assistance line to help get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Fleet Fueling
The Guttman Energy fleet fuel card provides an easy way to keep track of fuel usage while providing great rates. You’ll also never have to worry about fuel stations running out of gas because they are partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Fleet fuel cards are perfect for keeping track of fuel usage, getting discounts on gas, and staying safe during winter weather. Keep these tips handy this winter season, so you’re prepared if a snowstorm hits or your car runs out of gas.
Winter Fuel Tips
It’s important to be prepared for the cold weather. The last thing you want to happen is to run out of gas. Some roadside assistance tips to save on fuel during winter months include:
- Check air filters – Clogged air filters restrict airflow into the engine and can cause it to stall or overheat; they also increase fuel consumption.
- Check tire pressure – Low tire pressure increases your vehicle’s rolling resistance and decreases its traction when driving in snow or ice. Plus, under-inflated tires are more likely to blow out from hitting a pothole or road debris.
- Reduce lead-foot driving – Don’t accelerate too fast. Unnecessary acceleration will increase fuel consumption as well as wear and tear on your car. Drive with an average speed so that there isn’t a constant stop-and-go traffic pattern.
- Send drivers on efficient routes – If drivers take inefficient routes, it may mean extra fueling stops and higher costs for both the driver and company. Inefficient routing also leads to increased truck idle time since drivers don’t drive as efficiently (save fuel) when they’re unfamiliar with their route.
- Lighten your fleet – Adding weight to your fleet means that you’re adding weight to your vehicles, and you’ll spend more money on fuel. If you can, reduce the weight of your fleet by removing excess gear, such as unnecessary tools and equipment, from trucks.
By taking care of these things before this coming winter, you’ll be able to get through any tough situation better equipped than ever before! The easiest way to stay on top of your prepping game is by getting a Guttman Energy Fleet Card. We offer discounted diesel and gasoline prices nationwide. No matter where you go, our fuel card always has the best deal for you.
Guttman Fleet Fuel Card
Fleet Fuel Cards are a great way to manage fuel costs by giving discounts on fuel purchases at participating truck stops. The Guttman Fleet Fuel Card is used by fleets across the country to reduce their expenses, improve their fuel efficiency, and save money. Popular benefits of the Guttman fuel card include:
- No fees
- No contracts
- Customizable program
- Always accessible
With the winter months approaching, you must prepare your fleet or company vehicle with a fleet fuel card. Preparing your fleet in advance will make winter travel safer and more efficient! Guttman Energy offers a Fleet Fuel Card, which has many benefits for companies that run trucks or other fleets. From delivering fuel to places where gas stations may be closed to fuel discounts, there are many ways this card can make life easier for you!
Who Could Benefit from Fleet Fueling
Fleets, truckers, and other businesses that rely on vehicles to get their goods from point A to point B can all benefit from fleet fueling. Fleet fueling is not just beneficial in the winter months – it’s beneficial year-round! Guttman Energy offers affordable fleet fuel cards that make budgeting for fuel a breeze.
Fleet fuel cards can benefit all kinds of industries. Some industries include:
- Over-the-Road Transportation
- School Districts
- Municipalities
- Owner-operators
- Oil Field Services
- LTL/Regional Carriers
- Charter Buses
- Courier Services
- Fleet Management
- Waste Management
Guttman Energy fleet fuel card is accepted at over 65,000 fueling stations. You’ll never have to worry about running out of gas or paying too much for gas ever again with a Guttman Energy fleet fuel card. Our customer service team will be there for you whenever you need them, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Increase Company Savings
Fleets and truckers can take steps to reduce their fuel costs by using the Guttman Energy fleet card. The Guttman Energy fleet card provides a discount on fuels and is accepted at over 65,000 locations nationwide. As a result, fleets can save thousands of dollars per year when they use the Guttman Energy fleet card.
Fuel cards allow fleet managers to better monitor expenditures while giving drivers a dependable way to pay for fuel. If you’re an owner-operator with your own business, then consider offering this as a perk to attract more qualified applicants.
Not only does it help fleet managers manage expenses, but they’ll also be able to monitor the efficiency of their fleet better. Fleet fuel cards help identify which vehicles get good gas mileage and which ones don’t.
They also track driver’s routes, so management knows where all their trucks are going and how much fuel is being consumed along the way. Fleet fuel cards also offer budgeting capabilities. With the Guttman Energy fleet card, users can monitor their fuel expenses each month or week depending on their company’s needs.
Getting Started
Getting the Guttman Energy fleet card is very simple. If you’re not a customer, all you need to do is fill out a credit application with your information. If you are still unsure, give us a call and work with one of our sales representatives to determine if you’re getting the most value out of your existing program by getting a free fuel assessment done. If you have any questions or concerns, you can fill out a contact form online or call us at 724-489-5199.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get prepared for winter driving conditions. From driving tips to fuel savings, we hope these tips will help you prepare for the coming winter months.
