Amid the Humid:
The Do’ s and Don’ ts of Fleet Maintenance in Warm Weather
WORDS BY ANTONINA JOSON
Just like humans and sunscreen, there are ways vehicles may need extra care and maintenance in hot weather. Humidity and heat chemically react with a vehicle’ s insides and outsides, making fleet maintenance a little more distinct in higher temperatures.
With the earth’ s temperature steadily on the rise, fleet maintenance needs to adapt to surrounding circumstances like heatwaves or an especially humid day. On some occasions, damage due to heat and humidity may seem minimal on the surface, but it can actually be punishing on both your fleet and operators.
If your fleet’ s homebase is in a tropical climate or you’ re noticing increasing heat and humidity in your area, this guide is for you. Read on for the do’ s and don’ ts on how to care for your fleet in warm weather!
✅ Do: Prepare for the hot weather beforehand.
All year‘ round, it’ s good to monitor the projected weather and temperature of your fleet’ s locations. If you’ re from a country with four seasons, it’ s best to prepare for summer well in advance. Where winter may have been a time to prioritise warming up your vehicles, take advantage of spring to brace your fleet for hotter months ahead. Larger fleets may need to be inspected during this season to make sure every vehicle is ready once summer hits.
If you’ re from a wet and dry country, you’ d know that with heat comes moisture and rain. Keep a close eye on weather reports to prepare for both the sunny and stormy seasons.
❎ Don’ t: Overestimate the durability of your vehicles in hot weather.
Like any machine, vehicles( whether light or heavy duty) have their physical limitations. Even the best car or equipment in the market is not infallible to damage and weathering, especially without proper maintenance. All vehicles are subject to sun damage, wear and tear, dust accumulation, and more. Sure, your fleet can handle some bumps and scratches once in a while, but damage over time can shorten a vehicle’ s lifespan if left unchecked.
✅ Do: Schedule a thorough waxing along with your regular cleaning.
Waxing is just as important as cleaning— it provides an extra layer of protection and keeps your vehicle looking shiny and new! That extra
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