How to Increase Preventative Maintenance Intervals
With today’s new technologies it’s possible to get away from static preventative maintenance intervals. In fact, those intervals can nearly double for some vehicles.
Texas Man Uses New 2021 Ford F-150 to Heat Home, Power Appliances During Blackout
Texans trapped without electricity for days in their homes have suffered without heat or lights or the ability to run refrigerators or stoves despite freezing temperatures.
But Randy Jones, 66, a retired refinery worker from the town of Katy, outside Houston, and the owner of a 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid truck with Pro Power onboard, generated envy on social media after posting images of how he's using his pickup to power his home and help neighbors during the blackout affecting millions in the Lone Star State.
"You're living your life normally and all of a sudden you're thrust into the dark. I think it got around 9 degrees. It's been in mid-20s and low 30s. You don't expect that in south Texas. You don't expect to lose power when we have nuclear, natural gas, wind and solar power," he said. "The truck gave us light at night, TV access to catch the news and weather. It helped give us a little bit of heat and a good pot of coffee."
Read the article at Detroit Free Press.
The Power of Predictive Analytics
For Donlen, Predictive Analytics means analyzing a wide spectrum of fleet data and finding fixes and improvements that offer significant opportunities.
A Renewed Focus on Priorities
Check costs, increase productivity, accelerate safety – perennial items on fleet managers’ priority lists and under the microscope as we cautiously rebound from the economic downturn.
In Ed Pierce’s interview with Wheels senior product manager Sara Sweeney, we get an in-depth look at how the FMC’s new partnership with GM’s OnStar integrates with each of those priorities.
Vehicle relocation is a vital area where significant cost savings can be achieved. Teri Ross, PARS vice president, sales and client relations, says, “Many fleet managers know relocation providers like PARS as singularly focused on moving vehicles from point A to point B. But today’s moves are much more complex.”
Don't miss our podcast with Donlen's Keon Kim wherein he talks with Ted Roberts about the power of predictive analytics and what the technology means for Donlen's clients.
Last week, while the nation watched with dismay and sorrow over the dire situation in Texas as the state suffered basic utility outages, those of us in Fleet knew that our friends in the great state were on the front lines. If you have a story you wish to tell, please email me.
Drive safety, keep well!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Winter Driving Tips
Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Tips for Driving in the Snow
- Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
- Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
- Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Read the article at AAA Exchange.
