A Trio of Fleet Maintenance & Management Tips

Large companies and corporations need more than outstanding products, services and dedicated employees to be profitable. If these businesses rely on company cars in any capacity, these vehicles are also part of the “successful company” equation.

In many ways, fleet vehicles are like employees — if they “call in sick” due to equipment failure or are otherwise unreliable, it can have a negative impact on the entire company.

Fortunately, by adopting a fleet maintenance and repair schedule, business owners can help prevent issues from occurring and ensure the company cars stay on the road. Here’s how to do this as effectively as possible.

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Keep Basic Parts and Supplies on Hand

While you probably want to send your fleet vehicles out to the mechanic for more involved repairs and maintenance, there may be basic tasks you or your team can complete on-site to save both time and money. For instance, stocking up on motor oil for the cars is a good idea; even if you don’t do a complete oil change at the company, employees can always add a quart if the oil is measuring low. Other parts to keep on hand include air filters, spare tires and a large supply of o-rings. As a side tip, because issues with the supply chain are causing difficulty in obtaining a number of parts and supplies, it is a good idea to order these automotive basics in bulk whenever possible.

Develop a Strict and Well-Communicated Fleet Maintenance Policy

Another way to make sure your fleet vehicles stay road worthy — and that your employees who drive these cars don’t end up stranded at the side of the road — is to develop well-organized and strictly maintained policies and procedures for each car. As Wilmar Inc. notes, it is also important to keep your fleet drivers in the loop about these policies so they are not only aware of them, but can also help keep an eye on things like mileage, oil, gas mileage and tire pressure. The schedule for preventive maintenance and tune-ups should be readily available for all to see; this way, everyone will know when a vehicle needs repairs.

Encourage Input from Drivers

According to Work Truck Online, your drivers are ultimately going to be the best source of information about each car and how it is performing. Let each driver know that, even though you have created a maintenance schedule, his or her experience in the car takes precedence. If a vehicle starts to shimmy or shake or lose oil on the road, stress to your drivers the importance of letting you know these issues, and allow them to bring a car in for service, even if it is not on the schedule. Also, make sure each fleet vehicle has some basic safety supplies in the trunk, including jumper cables and/or a portable power bank, a first aid kit, flares and triangle-shaped reflectors, a flashlight and a toolkit.

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When It Comes to Fleet Maintenance, Being Proactive Is Key

Keeping your drivers safe while they are at work is crucial to your corporation’s success. By being proactive about fleet maintenance and repair, you will go a long way in achieving this goal. From keeping parts of supplies on hand at your business and in each vehicle, creating a repair schedule and encouraging your fleet drivers to be an active part of the repair and maintenance process, your company cars should remain safe and reliable for years to come.

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