Fleet maintenance is an integral part of managing a productive business. Without a proper fleet maintenance management program in place, you risk compromising the safety of your vehicles as well as your employees.
Unplanned downtime, costly emergency repairs, and failing FMCSA inspections are some other downfalls of avoiding effective fleet maintenance management. Read on to learn what fleet maintenance entails and why it is essential for your business.
Fleet Maintenance Management
Fleet maintenance management can be described as a proactive approach geared towards the upkeep of vehicles owned by a business. It includes steps that you take to make sure that your vehicles are in good operating condition and fit for use. The goal is to enhance safety and effectiveness while using organization vehicles to run company errands.
When it comes to fleet maintenance management, businesses may have varying budgets, service level agreements, or equipment needs. Therefore, different types of fleet maintenance exist to meet the diverse needs of organizations. Read on to explore your options and find the right kind of fleet maintenance management for your business.
· Preventive Maintenance
A preventive fleet maintenance program is designed to increase the reliability and effectiveness of the vehicles to avoid costly downtimes. It entails planning and scheduling maintenance before a problem actually occurs. Preventative maintenance is planned at set intervals. On the other hand, when scheduled on an as-need basis, it is known as predictive maintenance.
· Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance is carried out after a problem occurs. Unlike preventive and predictive maintenance, this approach is not proactive. Waiting for the problem to occur means you will have to deal with downtime. Moreover, breakdown maintenance is generally more expensive because the problem has already been exacerbated by the time the vehicle is sent in for maintenance.
· Emergency Maintenance
Emergency maintenance is a type of corrective maintenance. The only difference is that while corrective maintenance is used for rather regular problems or maintenance activities, emergency maintenance is provided immediately in an event that may cause a safety issue or prolonged downtime.
· Planned or Scheduled Maintenance
Planned maintenance and scheduled maintenance are close but not entirely the same. Planned fleet maintenance addresses pre-planned activities. Meaning, it details how and what maintenance work will be conducted. On the other hand, scheduled maintenance details who will carry out maintenance and when. The difference is subtle yet essential.
5 Benefits of Fleet Maintenance Management
Now that you know what fleet maintenance management entails, let’s take a look at why it is important to invest in a proactive maintenance program.
1. More Productivity, Less Downtime
A successful fleet maintenance program aims to enhance the reliability of the fleet. Higher reliability means less downtime and more productivity. Deliveries will be made on time, site inspections will go according to plan, off-premise meetings will never get delayed, and so on. In other words, a highly maintained fleet can help streamline business operations, which, in turn, leads to higher profits for the company.
2. Lower Fleet Repair Costs
Timely fleet maintenance can help you cut back on hefty repair costs down the road. Many times faulty vehicles continue to operate without showing any obvious signs of irregularities for a long time before finally breaking down.
Fleet maintenance management can help you isolate the issue before it turns into a major problem and fix it in a timely and cost-effective fashion. However, in the absence of fleet maintenance authority, you might be forced to spend a substantial amount on repairs. Plus, let’s not forget the costs of downtime.
3. Reduced Operational Costs
A well-maintained fleet runs on less fuel. On the other hand, if you do not invest in fleet maintenance management, you can expect your vehicles to consume more fuel, develop malfunctions and minor issues, and require oiling more often. The cost of fuel and minor yet frequent repairs can quickly pile up. Luckily, you can save more in the long run by bringing down operational costs through proper fleet maintenance.
4. Higher Resale Value
Your fleet is one of your biggest business assets. Therefore, it is essential you keep it in great shape. However, another benefit of fleet maintenance management that many businesses overlook is that it allows you to maximize the resale value. The same goes for leasing vehicles under contract. In either case, you can show proof of the vehicle’s upkeep in the form of a maintenance service record. It can help you fetch a greater price for your vehicles in the market.
5. Great Testing & Inspection Results
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires vehicles to go through regular inspection to make sure that the fleet is safe for use. With the right fleet maintenance services by your side, you can ace the safety approval tests and inspections and continue using your vehicles on public roads.
Corporate Fleet Services: Providing Dependable Fleet Maintenance Management
Corporate Fleet Services Inc. is a leading fleet leasing, purchasing, and management company. Our highly trained and experienced automotive fleet industry experts specialize in creating custom vehicle management programs based on the individual budget, requirements, and preferences of your company.
We offer a range of fleet maintenance and management services for cars, vans, commercial trucks, and more. You can rely on us to keep your fleet in top-notch condition at all times. We also provide support services, including Service Assistance, Beyond Warranty Assistance, Network Management, and more. Contact us to learn more about our services.
