The number and kind of your auto fleet may vary depending on your business model and stage of development, but providing the ultimate care and maintenance of your company’s vehicles is a good practice for all startups and small businesses. A properly maintained car uses less gasoline, breaks down less frequently, and contributes to lower operating costs.
It would be best to make it a practice for you and your drivers to regularly inspect your cars as your company will gain a lot from doing this. If you’re wondering how you can keep your company’s auto fleet in excellent shape, here are some commercial vehicle maintenance tips to get you started.
Think about including a fleet inspector role
Establishing a clear, organized inspection schedule is among the most crucial steps in keeping your company’s auto fleet in excellent shape. In order to avoid accidents and breakdowns and to maintain a safe auto fleet, routine maintenance tasks including engine cleaning, brake inspections, filter changes, and oil or other liquid changes must be carried out.
Consider creating an alert using your fleet management system, or your calendar. Think about employing a committed, knowledgeable vehicle maintenance provider who’ll handle these tasks for you if the cost or effort of keeping this schedule is too high. In this way you’ll have more time to concentrate on running your company, which is among one of the most efficient management tips for keeping a small business fleet running smoothly.
Have a vehicle checklist
It’s a good idea to have a checklist for the vehicles used by your business. The company drivers can quickly review the items on the list each day before they depart if they have a checklist.
The vehicle management department can then get the papers and anyone using the company car should be reminded by the checklist to check the air filter, batteries, tire pressure, brakes, belts, and oil level.
This way they’ll know the state of the vehicle and what needs to be done before they leave once they have checked everything. Additionally, think about hiring a professional who will be entirely accountable for inspecting the vehicles prior to any excursion.
Don’t neglect paint & body repairs and maintenance
You can foster a sense of company pride among the staff who drive your fleet vehicles by keeping them in excellent technical and aesthetic condition. Additionally, the general public will associate your company name more favorably when the exteriors of your vehicles are in good shape. You can hire a renowned professional painter to refresh your fleet vehicles and give them a new shine.
Your car may be more susceptible to rusting if its paint job is outdated or was applied by an amateur. Consider using a strong iron fallout remover to instantly dissolve impurities from your car’s paint and wheels and stop rust in its tracks. Also, you should have a respectable business handle this problem right away so that a top-notch paint job can be done.
Maintain your tires
Commercial cars require the most maintenance because they’re used more frequently than personal ones. Especially during the summer, make sure that all vehicles’ tires are rotated and aren’t worn out. Keep in mind that the overall driving experience is significantly influenced by tire pressure since it affects steering, fuel efficiency, and wear and tear in general.
But, remember that tire wear won’t be consistent throughout your auto fleet as how rapidly tires deteriorate can depend on a number of factors, including the environment, the road, and the driver.
Because of this, it’s crucial that your fleet inspector check the pressure before and after a journey. Drivers must monitor it while driving, particularly on longer trips. In addition to pressure checks, your drivers and fleet management should monitor tire wear in general.
Keep emergency supplies on hand
Every vehicle in your fleet needs to carry an emergency kit, which should include jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, and highway triangles. It’s recommended to carry basic tools including wrenches, a ratchet, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, rope and bungee cords. Moreover, don’t forget to carry additional gloves and clothing, as well as some paper, rags, and extra washer fluid.
Additionally, it’s crucial to have your auto service provider’s phone number on hand in case of an emergency. It’s a good thing that if the accident wasn’t your fault or you had fully comprehensive coverage, you can make a claim against any costs as long as you have motor fleet insurance in place. Otherwise, be sure to upgrade your coverage and request a quote for vehicle fleet insurance.
No matter if you manage a small business or a fleet of thousands of vehicles you’ll always save time and money in the long term by approaching maintenance preventively.