Owning a business is a lot of responsibility. If you manage a fleet of vehicles, keeping them properly maintained is essential. When you take a preventative approach to maintenance, you’ll always save time and money in the long run. At Thunderbird Auto, we have been maintaining commercial fleets for years and wanted to share some tips for maintaining a fleet.
Develop a Maintenance Schedule
The most important aspect of maintaining a fleet is creating a regular maintenance schedule for each vehicle. The schedule should include routine maintenance tasks such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections. Regular maintenance improves fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and extends the lifespan of the vehicles. A comprehensive schedule will promote a more organized and streamlined maintenance process.
Conduct Regular Inspections
It is essential to perform regular inspections of each vehicle to identify any issues that require attention. Inspect the engine, brakes, tires, suspension, and other components. All vehicle inspections should be documented properly using a vehicle inspection form. These inspection forms should then be stored so that the data can be used to help simplify predictive maintenance.
Get Regular Driver Reports
Alongside regular inspections, you should communicate as often as possible with the drivers. After all, they spend more time with the vehicles than anyone else does. When drivers complete regular driver reports, it allows business owners to promote safe driving, improve fuel efficiency, track vehicle usage, reduce vehicle wear and tear, and provide data for informed decision-making. Teach drivers how to perform pre-trip inspections and encourage them to report any issues promptly.
Keep Records
Keep detailed records of all maintenance and repairs performed on each vehicle. This can help track the vehicle’s history and identify any recurring issues. Recording fleet maintenance is important for regulatory compliance, improving vehicle performance, budgeting, and increasing resale value.
Use the Right Vehicle for the Job
Maintenance and repair records can also help you understand if your fleet is sized and scheduled correctly. It is critical to ensure your vehicles are being driven for their intended load and usage. Using vehicles not suited to the task could lead to faster deterioration. However, using vehicles that are too advanced for the job could incur unnecessary costs.
Work with a Reputable Phoenix, AZ Mechanic
Proper fleet maintenance preserves the short-term health of fleet vehicles and saves you thousands of dollars in operational costs. It can decrease maintenance costs and repair time while preventing costly downtime and even saving on the cost of fuel. Always remember that proper preparation prevents poor performance. Work with a reputable mechanic to perform routine fleet maintenance and repairs.
When drivers want to keep their fleets operating safely and effectively, they turn to Thunderbird Automotive Specialists. We are a local, full-service auto repair shop that services all vehicles in Phoenix, AZ. Bring your fleet into our auto repair shop, and we will help you keep your vehicles running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
