Keep Your Trucks Working Harder and Longer

Running a small or mid-size fleet means every vehicle matters. When one truck or van is broken, your business loses money. Therefore, a good maintenance plan isn’t a cost. It is a way to protect your profits. You need to keep your light and medium-duty vehicles on the road.

Make Preventive Maintenance Your Priority

Many small fleets only fix vehicles when they break down. However, this is called reactive maintenance, and it costs more in the long run. Preventive maintenance (PM) is much smarter. PM means fixing small things before they cause big problems. For example, changing the oil on time keeps the engine healthy. Furthermore, checking tire pressure regularly saves on fuel and tire costs. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals. You can find these in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Use a Simple Schedule to Stay on Track

You don’t need fancy software to start a good PM program. Instead, you can use a simple digital spreadsheet or calendar.

• Track Everything: Keep a record for every vehicle. Note the make, model, and the date of its last service.
• Set Reminders: Schedule services based on mileage and time. If a truck doesn’t drive many miles, it still needs its fluids checked. In addition, you can stagger service dates. This way, you avoid having all your vehicles in the shop at once.
• Driver Checklists: Ask your drivers to do a quick daily check. They are the first line of defense. They should check the lights, tires, and fluid levels. Consequently, drivers can report small issues early.
• Partner with a local Service Provider.  Connect with your local dealer or with a trusted repair and maintenance partner like Pep Boys that has a dedicated fleet service program.

The Value of Keeping Good Records

Maintaining great records is vital. Every repair and service must be logged. Good records help you know when a vehicle is costing too much to keep. Moreover, they are very important for warranty claims. You need to prove you followed the maintenance schedule. In fact, accurate records help you forecast future repair costs. Check out resources on vehicle maintenance recordkeeping from groups like the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for best practices.

Also read: Key Metrics to Monitor for Improved Asset Uptime