What Should I Include in My Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Policy?

Curious as to what you should include in your fleet’s vehicle maintenance policy? GPS Trackit unpacks everything you need to know about how to create a maintenance policy that will serve your company, employees and vehicles to improve efficiencies and generate better customer outcomes.

For Starters: Why You Should Create a Robust Vehicle Maintenance Policy

Few things that are more important to the health of your fleet and your profit margins than preventative maintenance. Aside from saving time and saving on fuel costs, creating a maintenance plan is a task that can generate near-instant ROI. Consider the benefits you’ll enjoy as you look toward implementing a better maintenance plan:

Reduced Downtime

When you are able to identify potential issues before they cause a breakdown or force a vehicle off the road, you gain control of a potentially costly situation. For instance, if there’s a particular part that is notorious for a short lifespan, tracking and noting the lifecycle of that part across your fleet can help generate predictive data about when you should pull a vehicle in for maintenance before the part fails. Monitoring the mileage of each truck will also allow you to pre-plan for regular maintenance that will extend the lifespan of your assets.

Reduced Risk

Keeping your trucks healthy is an often-overlooked way to cut down on the inherent risk of accidents as well as unplanned downtime. This isn’t as easy to measure in terms of ROI, but it’s very simple to measure in terms of peace of mind!

Covering the Basics with Your Fleet Maintenance Checklist

A fleet maintenance program is an essential part of how to maintain a fleet of vehicles to assure continued safe operation. Here are some important items to consider for your fleet vehicles:

• Engine Oil and Filter Changes
• Transmission Fluid
• Fuel System
• Cooling System
• Engine and Transmission Mounts
• Drive Shafts or CV Joints
• Belts and Hoses
• Tune-Ups
• Electrical System Components
• Braking System
• Steering and Suspension System
• Tires, Wheels, and Rims
• Exhaust System
• Undercarriage and Frame
• Exterior and Interior Lights
• Body, Glass, and Mirrors
• Windshield Wiper System
• Horn
• Seatbelts and Seat Structures
• Fluid Leaks
• Auxiliary Systems

Create an SOP for Fault Codes

When you’re using telematics and ELD hardware to track fault codes, you can also set up automated alerts in real-time to signal any needed repairs as soon as those codes fire. In these cases, you are moving from a state of being reactive to becoming proactive and in control which will save you time and money. These workflows then become very valuable to the operation and maintenance of your fleet!

Embracing Preventative Maintenance for Your Fleet Vehicles

Keeping your fleet of vehicles in tip-top shape is essential to keeping the business running. But it’s not always easy to keep on top of vehicle maintenance and repairs, especially if you’re managing a large fleet with many different drivers.

Without a way to track the location of your vehicles, you can’t know when they need attention until it’s too late. Without telematics data showing where problems are occurring, there may be no clear answer as to why those issues arise in the first place.

GPS Trackit provides both tracking and telematics services for businesses that want more insight into their vehicle operations than ever before. We help companies save time and money by providing real-time views into everything from fuel levels and engine health to driver behavior patterns and route efficiency.

These are all available through our cloud-based platform or mobile app. With this information at your fingertips, you’ll be able to make smarter decisions about how best to manage your fleet.

 

If you’d like to learn more about how GPS Trackit can help to improve safety, increase productivity and reduce costs for your business, speak with one of our
knowledgeable Fleet Advisors at 866-320-5810 or get a quick Custom Quote.