Do you run a fleet? You know that maintenance is the lifeblood of any business fleet. Get on top of maintenance and you can save money, keep more vehicles online and keep your operation running smoothly.
But maintaining a fleet of vehicles can be expensive and complicated, and the costs can easily spiral out of control if not managed properly. Here we will discuss three ways that fleet managers can take control of their fleet maintenance costs and improve their bottom line.
Regular Maintenance Checks
One of the most basic ways to take control of your fleet maintenance costs is through regular maintenance checks. Regular maintenance checks can help fleet managers detect any problems early on, which can prevent costly repairs and vehicle downtime in the future. The best way to approach regular maintenance checks is to create a maintenance schedule that covers all the necessary checks and maintenance tasks. By equipping your team with comprehensive fleet management software, you can track maintenance histories and alert you when maintenance is due. Regular maintenance checks like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements—and improve efficiency every mile you drive.
Consider Telematics
Telematics refers to the use of GPS technology to track vehicle movement, monitor driver behavior, and collect vehicle data. By using telematics like GPS Trackit, fleet managers can detect and address issues before they turn into costly problems. For instance, you can use telematics to track driver behavior, such as speeding or harsh braking, which can lead to increased wear and tear on the vehicle. And with the data collected from telematics, it’s easier to establish a preventive maintenance program that minimizes vehicle downtime and lowers repair costs. You can also use telematics data to optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and increase driver productivity, which can have a significant impact on your bottom line.
Implement Driver Training
Driver behavior plays a significant role in the lifespan and maintenance costs of fleet vehicles. Poor driving habits, such as speeding, idling, and harsh braking, can increase wear and tear on the vehicle, leading to costly repairs and replacements. Software solutions like GPS Trackit offer driver scorecards that let you evaluate your crews for their safety and efficiency and tailor training programs to promote the behaviors you want to see.
How does fleet maintenance change the bottom line? It goes beyond the fuel and efficiency savings day to day, too. Just ask Matthew Millon of Mazzella Lifting Technology, a Pittsburgh-area lifting and rigging company. When Mazzella Lifting started tracking maintenance and regular odometer readings in its fleet of vehicles using GPS Trackit, it was able to cycle trucks into the rotation, spread mileage out over the fleet and increase the average lifespan of a vehicle by almost a year. “As a result, we’re not having to buy extremely expensive trucks just as they come available,” says Millon. “We’ve been able to do some forward ordering and save some money.”
To learn how Mazzella Lifting and other GPS Trackit customers took control of their maintenance programs and slashed costs, talk to a Fleet Advisor for a free customized demo today.
