Keeping the fleet of cars well-maintained is the fleet manager's responsibility; since they are aware of this fact, they invest more time towards fleet maintenance than any other process. Timely fleet maintenance will result in low fuel consumption, better mileage, and better condition of the vehicles present in the fleet. Here are some helpful fleet maintenance tips that will help you save time, money, and headaches.
UNDERSTANDING MAINTENANCE COST
Managing the fleet involves fleetcard maintenance as an important part, and experts recommend properly scheduling and completing several maintenance tasks like oil change, tyre inspection, rotation, re-gas A/C, etc. You can enjoy better fuel efficiency, and a lot of time and money will be saved. With timely treatment, you can also prevent damage to engine parts or functions and avoid the cost and downtime related to breakdown.
FOLLOW THE LIST
You may be an expert in fleet maintenance, but it is always a good idea to include a checklist of the maintenance steps in the process. This will give you a better idea of what services to expect and what services to avail to keep the vehicle's functionality in its best possible condition. Here are the quick details of essential maintenance steps taken in fleet maintenance.
ESSENTIAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE INCLUDES:
Engine oil and filter changes on a mileage or usage basis
Tyre inspection, pressure correction, balancing, and rotation
Brakes and brake pad inspection
Battery and spark plug check
Wheel alignment
Fluids check, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid
Blue slips in Norwest
Your preventive maintenance should also incorporate the periodic review of:
Belts and hoses
Steering and suspension system
Cooling system
Engine and transmission mounts
Driveshafts or CV joints
Electrical system components
Wheels and rims
Exhaust system
Undercarriage and frame
Fluid leaks
Auxiliary systems
Here are some more parts of a vehicle to be inspected and maintained during fleet maintenance.
Seatbelts and seat structures
Nonworking exterior and interior lights
Windshield wiper functionality
Horn
Body dings or dents
Glass and mirror cracks
BE RESPONSIBLE
Fleet managers are expected to be fully responsible and aware of their responsibilities and duties. They must check and inflate the tyres regularly and respond to service notifications and smaller issues like scheduling timely belt replacements. Their responsibility should also include the following –
The pre-scheduling of routine maintenance
Record-keeping and scheduling are accessible to multiple eyes
Performing inspections and following up on their results
Vehicle performance review at regular intervals
Immediate and long-term follow-up to collisions, accidents, and breakdowns
Apart from this, the driver should also understand their responsibility and role in fleet maintenance or general fleet upkeep. They must be aware of the following processes that are a part of general fleet maintenance.
The effect of air and seasonal temperature on tyre pressure
How to check pressure and condition visually and with gauges
The best time for a driver to check tyre pressure
How to fill or remove air from tyres and confirm the correct pressure
