FleetWeek

With fall here and winter approaching, it is time for drivers to prepare for snowy conditions in areas that see significant snowfall. If your fleet policy allows any drivers to install snow tires, here are some tips to pass along to them to ensure that they are selecting, installing and maintaining the proper snow tires for their vehicles:

• Vehicle handling is best improved when tires of the same type, size, speed rating and load index are applied in pairs to the drive axle.  The vehicle's owner's manual can identify the tire models appropriate for the vehicle, and your Wheels Account Executive can also help you address this question. Because of the higher traction qualities of snow tires in winter weather conditions, installing only two snow tires on the front of a vehicle without two snow tires on the rear can cause unsafe handling characteristics, especially in the case of front-wheel drive vehicles. It is therefore recommended that snow tires be installed on all four wheels. For those on Wheels Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP), Driver Services Associates can advise drivers of your policy and what to do if they are allowed snow tires.
• Tires marked "M + S” indicate that they are "mud and snow" tires, commonly known as "all-season" tires. While these generally provide safe all-weather performance, they may not always be suitable for severe snow conditions. Tires that meet specific snow traction performance requirements in both the U.S. and Canada are marked with a symbol depicting three mountain peaks with a snowflake in the middle. Selecting tires with this symbol is the best way to ensure reliability in severe snow conditions.
• For all types of tires, proper air pressure extends tire tread life, improves safety, and reduces fuel consumption, so it is important to maintain proper air pressure at all times. Because tire pressure decreases as temperatures drop, we recommend checking the pressure more frequently – at least once a month – when the tires are cold. The best time to get an accurate air pressure reading is after the car has been sitting for a few hours.

For drivers who will be using snow tires, we recommend that tires be installed in early-to-mid November, or shortly before the first anticipated snowfall for the driver's region. For those with drivers in Quebec, please keep in mind that provincial law requires vehicles to be equipped with winter tires from December 15 through March 15.

Clients whose insurance policies expire November 1 are reminded to send their new certificates of insurance to the Wheels Risk Management Department as soon as possible by e-mailing them to RiskManagement@wheels.com or by faxing them to 847.627.8544 for processing. Certificates must list Wheels, Inc. and Wheels LT (and Wheels Leasing Canada Ltd. if applicable) as additional insureds.

It is important to send new certificates to Wheels in a timely fashion regardless of participation in our insurance programs, as current insurance certificates are contractually required and impact many fleet-related processes. For example, expired insurance certificates affect new vehicle deliveries, vehicle license plate renewals and state-to-state transfers. We encourage clients to contact their risk management department/insurance broker, if necessary, to expedite the certificate process.

General Motors recently confirmed that the 2011 model year will be the final production year for the Chevrolet HHR. 
 
The order cut-off date for the HHR is currently scheduled to be February 18, 2011 and production is expected to run through early-late spring.  GM has not net announced a replacement vehicle for the HHR.

Please note that all timeframes listed above are tentative and subject to change. Clients looking to acquire any models approaching cutoff – particularly those that will be discontinued – are encouraged to submit orders as soon as possible. 

A complete listing of announced order startup/cutoff dates is available here. Please contact a member of your account team if you have any questions about order cutoffs, production startup dates or your vehicle selector.