Spring is here and it’s time to get your fleet ready for the warmer weather. Regular maintenance is an important part of keeping your vehicles running in top condition, but there are some special steps you should take at this time of year to make sure your fleet is safe and efficient. These four tips will help you get the process started.
Check Tire Pressure and Tread Depth
The most important thing fleet managers need to do when getting their vehicles ready for spring is check tire pressure and tread depth. Low-pressure tires have a greater risk of failure, which could lead to serious damage. Simply making sure your fleet vehicles have air pressure up to spec can save you more than one percent in fuel costs—which adds up. Make sure all tires are inflated to their recommended levels and that they have adequate tread depth. If not, replace them as soon as possible. Additionally, check the spare tire as well!
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Following a preventative maintenance schedule is an absolute must to get your fleet ready for spring. This means checking all filters and fluids to make sure they’re clean and full, inspecting belts and hoses for wear or damage, testing the battery and charging system, looking for any signs of wear or damage on brake pads or discs, checking all lights and signals, etc. These simple steps can help prevent costly repairs down the road. Fleet management technology like GPS Trackit has easy-to-implement tools to help you keep track of maintenance painlessly.
Inspect Undercarriage & Exterior Components
When prepping your fleet for springtime weather, it’s also important to inspect undercarriage components such as shocks and struts for any signs of wear or damage. You should also inspect exterior components like windshield wipers, glass surfaces, mirrors, door handles/locks/latches/gaskets/seals, etc., to make sure everything functions properly. Taking care of those issues proactively reduces the chance you’ll have to rescue a vehicle when it’s out in the field—costing you time and money.
Clean Interior & Exterior Surfaces
Finally, don’t forget about cleaning the interior and exterior surfaces of your vehicles! This includes vacuuming carpets/mats/upholstery; wiping down plastic surfaces; shining chrome wheels; washing windows; cleaning headliners; removing dirt from door jambs; waxing paint jobs. Sure, good-looking vehicles present your company in the best light. But that maintenance step also protects surfaces from damage and deterioration—increasing the effective service life.
Using these tips to keep your fleet up to spec will help you avoid costly repairs down the line and keep your drivers safe. To learn more about the top strategies fleet managers are using to increase productivity and efficiency, talk to a Fleet Advisor for a free, personalized demo.
