Whether you’re an owner-operator or already running a large fleet, regular maintenance can promote safety, help maintain your reputation and improve your bottom line. By proactively taking care of your vehicles, you can prevent serious, potentially accident-causing operational issues down the road. Well-maintained vehicles reduce operating costs by breaking down less frequently and minimizing fuel consumption. Here are the ins and outs of fleet vehicle maintenance to keep your fleet operating smoothly for as long as possible.
Why is extending the life of fleet vehicles important?
Extending the life of fleet vehicles means you get more safe miles out of your fleet. Well-maintained vehicles and longer runtime helps to save you money both on short-term operating costs and long-term vehicle replacements.
7 ways to get the most life out of fleet vehicles
While regular maintenance is easier said than done, a simple plan, persistence and vehicle-specific upkeep schedules can pay off. Here are seven ways to get more life out of your fleet vehicles.
Follow recommended service guidance
It’s important to get regular, truck-specific service and maintenance for your fleet vehicles. Be sure to find each vehicle’s service recommendations in the owner’s manual and use factory-recommended parts and fluids. In the long run, this will extend the life of a fleet and improve its overall performance.
Parts like the air compressor affect the brakes and suspension. All filters and fluids need to be cleaned or changed regularly, according to manufacturer instructions for the make and model. The relatively small cost of recommended service can add years to your fleet vehicles’ lives.
Say on top of regular maintenance
Regular service of oil levels, tire pressure and engine idle time can all impact long-term fleet performance and safety. Once you have a vehicle maintenance schedule for each fleet vehicle, set a routine of regular maintenance. Reminders and notifications to each carrier can ensure that regular maintenance gets done on schedule.
Of course, emphasizing to your drivers the importance of watching for engine lights or fault codes can help prevent accidents caused by mechanical failures. All drivers also need to be performing daily vehicle inspections and submitting reports. This helps ensure trucks are prepared for FMSCA inspections as well.
These reports can be useful for later reference. Fleet management software can help automate this process and establish systems for clear maintenance records.
Check vehicle tires regularly
Tire pressure can improve the driving experience on most fleet vehicles. A vehicle’s tire pressure can impact handling, fuel use and overall wear and tear. Of course, weather, road surface and each driver’s specific style of driving all impact tire wear.
Tire pressure can have such a big impact on both fuel economy and safety that it’s important to have a fleet inspector check it before and after each trip. And drivers should check tire pressure regularly while on the road.
Keep vehicles clean
A fleet of clean vehicles conveys professionalism and care. It tells potential clients and drivers that your adheres to high standards and takes its business seriously. Vehicles should be cleaned regularly both inside and outside. Washed and polished fleet vehicles can help your drivers feel greater pride and satisfaction in their jobs and workplace.
Beyond professionalism and driver satisfaction, regularly cleaning vehicles’ exteriors can help you catch signs of damage or deterioration, like rust. With a large fleet of vehicles, developing a relationship with a fleet maintenance provider will help ensure your fleet is well maintained. They work as a professional partner to help you spot issues early on and prevent larger issues so you can focus on other aspects of the business.
Reduce idling time
Some fleet vehicles can be idle for up to eight hours per day. Drivers who leave trucks idling for more time increase engine wear and tear, leading to increased maintenance costs. On the other hand, shutting off the engine when possible can help extend the life span of the vehicle. Many fleet management software solutions allow you to set alerts when an engine’s idle time has exceeded limits.
Some fleet managers prefer to incentivize or reward drivers for reduced idle times. In the end, the rewards may increase driver satisfaction while leading to significant savings on maintenance costs.
Encourage driver safety
Safe driving habits will also extend fleet vehicle life through reduced wear and tear and fewer accidents. Teaching drivers the importance of regular maintenance along with safe driving reduces their chances of getting in an accident. As a result, this can reduce costly downtime, fuel waste and repairs while improving both driver and company safety records.
Getting drivers invested in safety by explaining its benefit can lead to longer fleet vehicle lives. Fleet managers can also encourage safe driving habits through training and monitoring with GPS tracking and dashcams.
Invest in fleet management software
Investing in fleet management software can lead to increased productivity, reduced fuel expenditures and overall financial savings, giving your business a competitive edge.
Most fleet management solutions use telematics to track fleet data, record driving behaviors, automatically warn drivers of behaviors that can lead to vehicle damage or safety risks, and suggest corrections. With fleet management software, you can collect and monitor all types of fleet maintenance data in one place and create meaningful reports to help you better manage your fleet in the future.
Optimize your fleet lifetime with proper maintenance
Fleet care and maintenance is a part of fleet management that costs little but makes a big impact on your fleet. By scheduling and staying on top of maintenance while building incentives for driver safety, you can optimize fleet performance, reduce costs and improve overall safety and efficiency. In this case, a little goes a long way when growing your business, reputation and future.
FAQ
Many experts say you should keep your fleet vehicles for four to five years, depending on vehicle type, miles driven and maintenance performed. A life-cycle cost analysis can help you determine the right replacement timeframe for each vehicle.
A successful fleet manager should have excellent people skills, industry expertise and insight into best maintenance practices. But the most important aspect of fleet management, arguably, is data analysis. By understanding the numbers, you can build a more effective fleet with safer, happier drivers.
A fleet vehicle is any vehicle owned or leased by a business. This includes semitrucks, taxis, rental cars and delivery trucks.
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