--- title: Prepare your forklift trucks for winter | TMH UK description: Make sure your forklift trucks are ready for winter with our range of forklift servicing and maintenance packages ensuring your trucks are safe and legal. image: https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(1)-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/prepare-your-forklift-trucks-for-winter#main-content) [Go to toyota-forklifts.co.uk](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/) [| Blog](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/) [Covid-19 Update](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/news-and-editorials/our-commitment-to-supporting-the-logistics-of-vital-supplies/) [Brexit Statement](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/news-and-editorials/brexit-impact-statement/) Customer Service [Customer Service](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/customer-service/) [Contact local Sales office](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/) [FAQ](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/faqs/) **Call us** New & used trucks: 0370 850 1409 Service support: 0370 850 1402 Rental: 0370 850 1403 Parts support: 0370 850 1404 Operator training: 0370 850 1405 **Open Hours** Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm [Send us an e-mail](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/), we will get back to you. 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[\< Back to blog](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/blog) December 10, 2024 # Winter maintenance for your counterbalance 3 minutes to read [Blogs](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/tag/blogs) ![](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(1)-1.png) Winter has firmly taken hold of the country in the last couple of weeks, meaning it’s time to start thinking about the steps you can take to reduce the downtime of your [counterbalance forklift trucks](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/our-offer/counterbalanced-trucks/counterbalance-forklifts/) caused by colder temperatures and challenging weather conditions. As you know, thorough and frequent forklift maintenance is the best way to prevent downtime, this can be done through a combination of inspections, preventative repairs, and a regular schedule of servicing. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent problems from the cold for your forklift truck… ## Key areas to monitor for an optimum fleet ## Cooling system & Antifreeze Firstly, check your antifreeze and coolant fluid levels to ensure there is enough fluid. Make sure you complete these checks before you operate your trucks during periods of extreme weather. Checking for leaks or damage on hoses and other important parts of the truck is also recommended to prevent costly repairs.   ## Lead acid batteries If you’re the owner of a [lead acid battery forklift truck](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/lead-acid-battery-forklifts-everything-you-need-to-know), you may have noticed cold conditions can present problems for your forklift batteries. Mainly, shortening the battery's life span and reducing its capacity to charge. The most effective solution for protecting your battery against cold damage during the winter is to keep it warm. One small preventative step to reduce the impact from cold weather is to try to keep your truck in a dry area to prevent moisture from building up, and never leave the battery outdoors to prevent it from freezing. It is important to remain mindful that the issue with your battery may not solely be caused by the colder temperatures and may need further maintenance, such as [water level topping up](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/tips-for-topping-up-your-batteries?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FknFYmmG3Xmk0ZmecFkhFVOayXaBNTZcBeCJ9WTRO_rfMD7ri-8clLGEdSscEHNNpo_gl&_gl=1*1051wp8*_gcl_au*MjEwNTk2NjQ1NS4xNzI5NjczNjY0*_ga*MTUwNDg3OTI0Ny4xNzMyNzA5OTU3*_ga_4R9EL54GDX*MTczMzEzMDkzNC4xMi4xLjE3MzMxMzE4NjEuMC4wLjA.*_ga_393GCHVPN5*MTczMzEzMDkzNC4zOS4xLjE3MzMxMzE4NjEuMC4wLjA.).   ![toyota forklift truck operating in winter conditions](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/hubfs/toyota-tonero-5t-winter-jpg.jpeg) ## Tyre Care Depending on the application of your forklift, you may operate outdoors during the winter months, making your truck more vulnerable to the elements, especially your [tyres](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/toyota-service/toyota-tyre-service/?_gl=1*ss7upr*_gcl_au*MjEwNTk2NjQ1NS4xNzI5NjczNjY0*_ga*MTUwNDg3OTI0Ny4xNzMyNzA5OTU3*_ga_4R9EL54GDX*MTczMzEzMDkzNC4xMi4xLjE3MzMxMzE5MDAuMC4wLjA.*_ga_393GCHVPN5*MTczMzEzMDkzNC4zOS4xLjE3MzMxMzE4NzEuMC4wLjA.). Before starting the day, always de-ice your working area to maximise safety for operators who are constantly driving out in wintery conditions. Without de-icing you are more likely to run into a hazardous situation, even with the proper equipment. You should also check tyre pressures as a further measure to prevent incidents. Your tyre choice will determine what tools you can apply to your forklift truck tyres. If you use solid pneumatic tyres on your truck, [tyre studs](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/accessories/season/screw-studs/) are a good option to provide better grip when driving in cold conditions. Whereas, if your forklift is equipped with air-filled pneumatic tyres the larger treads offer greater grip. For extremely wintery conditions [tyre chains](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/accessories/season/snow-chains/) can be applied to this type of tyre.   ## Cabs and lighting Ensuring that your [lights](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/taking-care-of-your-forklift-during-winter-cabs-lighting) are working properly is essential all year-round, but it is even more important during the winter months. Not only can limited visibility be a factor of certain weather conditions but as the nights draw in it gets darker earlier. It may also be worth considering a switch to LED bulbs if your forklift still has halogen lights. The performance of LED lights is unaffected by freezing conditions, while lasting longer and providing greater visibility. For vehicles that have an enclosed cab and windshield, be sure the [heater](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/accessories/interiors/seat-and-driver-comfort/interior-heater-1400w/) and windshield wipers are functioning properly and that all latches are properly lubricated for safety purposes and operator comfort.   [For further advice on winterproofing your fleet, contact us\>\>\>](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/)   ### About Toyota - [Who we are](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/who-we-are/) - [Why buy a Toyota](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/why-buy-toyota/) - [Design Centre](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/design/) - [Logistic Solution Centre](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/logistics-solutions-centre/) - [Work at Toyota Material Handling](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/join-the-team/) - [PR and News](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/news-and-editorials/) - [Pension Scheme Governance](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/pension-scheme-governance/) - [Compliance Documents](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/compliance_documents/) ### Toyota values - [The Toyota Way](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/toyota-lean-academy/the-toyota-way/) - [Toyota Production Systems (TPS)](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/toyota-production-system/) - [Sustainability](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/sustainability/) - [Code of conduct](https://media.toyota-forklifts.eu/published/21528_Original%20document_toyota%20mh.pdf) ### Partners - [Our dealer network](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/our-dealer-network/) ### Customer service - [Contact us](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/) - [Delivery](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/shipping--delivery/) - [Warranty & Return policy](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/warranty/) - [How to buy online](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/how-to-buy-online/) - [FAQs](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/faqs/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/legal/terms-and-conditions/) - [Privacy policy](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/legal/privacy/) - [Cookie policy](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/legal/cookie-policy/) - [Cookie settings](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/legal/cookie-settings/) Follow us on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/ToyotaMHUK/) [Twitter](http://twitter.com/intent/follow?source=followbutton&variant=1.0&screen_name=ToyotaMH_UK) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/toyota-material-handling-uk) [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/user/toyotamhuk?sub_confirmation=1) [Pinterest](http://www.pinterest.com/toyotaMHEurope/) Prices valid for Online orders only. 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