Winter is rougher on vehicles than any other season. Cold temperatures stress your battery, change your tire pressure, thicken your fluids, and make braking less predictable. A five-minute check before each shift in January is one of the highest-value things you can do for your workday.
Battery: The Number One Winter Failure Point
Cold weather reduces battery capacity significantly — a battery that's fine in October can fail in January. If your vehicle hesitates or cranks slowly when you start it, that battery is already struggling. Get it tested before it leaves you stranded mid-route.
Signs of a battery close to the edge: slow engine start, dim headlights during startup, clicking when you turn the key. Don't wait on these. A battery swap at a parts store costs $100–$150 and takes 20 minutes. A roadside service call for a dead battery mid-route costs you two hours and a potential write-up.
Tires: Pressure Drops in the Cold
For every 10°F drop in temperature, tire pressure drops about 1 PSI. A tire that was properly inflated at 35 PSI in October might be sitting at 30 PSI on a cold January morning. Under-inflated tires reduce grip, increase braking distance, and wear faster.
Check all four tires (and your spare) before the shift. The correct pressure is on the sticker inside your driver's door, not the number embossed on the tire sidewall — that's the maximum, not the recommended.
Fluids: Windshield Washer and Coolant
Use winter-grade windshield washer fluid rated to at least -20°F. Regular fluid freezes in the reservoir and on the windshield, which is dangerous and annoying in equal measure. Check the reservoir weekly in winter.
Coolant/antifreeze protects your engine from freezing. If it's been more than two years since it was serviced, check the mixture with a simple tester available at any auto parts store. The right mixture handles down to -30°F in most formulas.
Brakes: Test Them Before You Need Them
At the start of each shift, find an empty area of the depot lot and do a slow brake test. Apply the brakes firmly at 10–15 mph. They should stop smoothly with no grinding, pulling, or vibration. If something feels wrong, it's a five-second problem in the lot — not a five-second problem at a busy intersection.
In wet or icy conditions, pump your brakes gently at the start of the shift to check grip. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) will pulse — that's normal. If they feel spongy or slow to respond, flag it before you leave.
JWA Logistics expects drivers to flag mechanical concerns before departure — and our team will work with you to resolve them. Starting the route with a vehicle you trust is the foundation of a good day.