How to Manage Company Vehicle Maintenance

Maintaining business vehicles in excellent condition is no easy task, especially if you own a large fleet of cars. You have to contend with each vehicle’s unique characteristics and drivers’ varied driving habits. Thankfully, company vehicle maintenance is easier if you follow the five tips below.

Tip #1: Make a company vehicle maintenance schedule

Create a preventative maintenance schedule because stopping a breakdown is easier and more cost-effective than letting it snowball into a bigger issue leading to downtime. After all, a broken-down truck isn’t making money.

So, create a program to check the fleet at appropriate times. The mechanics can perform preventative maintenance activities like rotating the tires, replacing fluids, and checking the oil and battery.

Tip #2: Regular inspections and train drivers

Carry out regular inspections at specified intervals, but you can have the drivers inspect them before setting off on any assignment. Provide a checklist of items that need inspecting and fixing, including checking engine, tire pressure, brakes, windshield, and safety checks.

Keep accurate records of the inspection reports, either manually or on a fleet management system, and have someone responsible for follow-ups on potential issues.

Train your drivers to recognize developing concerns, such as vibrations, unusual exhaust smoke, and ignition delays, so you can fix them early enough.

Tip #3: Use a fleet management system

If you have many cars, keeping track of maintenance is no easy task without a fleet management system (FMS). The FMS is in charge of accounting for all the records about each car, storing vital information like maintenance routines.

Moreover, the FMS tracks the car’s condition, which can be useful in detecting faults, ordering auto parts, and scheduling checkups. Besides, the FMS provides route suggestions, helping save fuel.

For best results, opt for custom software that addresses the unique business needs of your company, such as integration with other apps and hardware to enhance its capabilities.

Tip #4: Monitor drivers

Left to their own devices, some drivers will adopt bad driving techniques, which can increase maintenance frequency. They will likely engage in hard acceleration and braking, causing heavy wear and tear on the brakes and tires.

You may not feel it’s appropriate, but unfortunately, errant drivers only work more responsibly if they know you’re tracking their movements.

Fleet management systems combined with tracking devices can come in handy as they allow step-by-step tracking of the driver’s activities. They provide insight into the drivers’ driving habits as they record:

Acceleration
Braking
High revving
Turning practices

It also helps to provide refresher courses for drivers and mechanics to ensure they treat the vehicles professionally as you would wish.

Tip #5: Develop policies

Equip drivers and maintenance personnel with a list of acceptable policies and procedures for company vehicle maintenance. It’s a set of guidelines detailing their responsibilities, including safety procedures and maintenance routines.

The company vehicle maintenance policy should also set out preventative measures to ensure the fleet remains in tip-top condition, such as truck replacement cycles after 100k miles and maximum load capacities.

Manage company vehicle maintenance with Roggi’s Auto

If you are in Hartford, CT, Roggi’s Auto can make maintaining company vehicles a hassle-free experience. We have a team of certified, professional mechanics specially trained to keep your fleet on the road.

We understand that keeping the vehicles operating is the lifeblood of your business, so we provide fast inspections, repairs, and maintenance services to keep the fleet up and running. Our services include: