The summer heat can wreak havoc on your fleet. Extremely high temperatures force your commercial vehicles to work under more pressure, which can lead to a host of mechanical problems and threaten employee safety. Fortunately, the summer months are also a great time to get all of your vehicle maintenance out of the way. Consider the following tips to improve driver safety and reduce car accidents.

Change Your Brakes

After many miles of braking, your brakes will ultimately wear down; however, metal to metal heat, along with hot, humid summer temperatures, can expedite the process. Instead of waiting for the inevitable to happen, have your mechanic assess all brakes on every company vehicle you own. By proactively checking your brakes, you can prevent drivers from having a brake-related car accident, thus keeping the rate of your commercial auto insurance lower.

Examine A/C Clutches on Each Vehicle

Your cars’ A/C clutch and other components are responsible for creating cool air while your drivers are working throughout the day. Air conditioning is critical for drivers who are constantly on the road since it keeps them refreshed, focused and alert. When the air conditioner isn’t working properly, your driver may easily get fatigued or delirious due to the heat. To protect against this, examine all A/C clutches in your commercial fleet because extreme heat often results in failure in these components.

Maintain Your Fleet’s Tires

Another challenge your drivers face during the hot, summer months is worn tires. Higher temperatures and hot pavement threaten the treads on your tires. When drivers don’t maintain their tires, they jeopardize everyone’s safety on the road. Bad tires could lead to a blowout, which could cause car accidents. Instead of risking your drivers’ lives—along with others—have your drivers check their tires daily to ensure that they are in good condition.

Get Regular Oil Changes

Oil gives your cars life. If you don’t change your oil on a regular basis, you run the risk of your motor ceasing. Since your company vehicles see more travel time than personal vehicles, it is important that you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles, or at the mileage increments listed in the vehicles’ owner’s manuals.