Winter Fuel Tank Failure in School Bus Fleets Often Surfaces Late in the Season Winter fuel tank failure rarely begins in February. It develops gradually after months of salt exposure, temperature swings, vibration, and repeated cold starts. By late winter, school bus maintenance teams often discover that small mounting or corrosion issues have progressed beyond cosmetic wear. The stress is cumulative. Road salt accelerates corrosion at seam lines and strap contact points. Ov