If you operate a business that relies on a fleet of vehicles, you can’t afford to fall behind on truck maintenance. The efficiency of your business depends on the reliability of these vehicles.
Just as importantly, well-maintained vehicles will cost you less money over time. Regular maintenance means fewer problems and big repairs down the road. And of course, well-maintained vehicles will help keep your employees and equipment safe on the road.
Are you wondering how to extend the longevity of your truck fleet? If so, we’re here to provide answers. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to maintain your fleet so your business continues to have access to the best trucks.
Conduct Regular Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance Checks
Awareness is your number-one ally in fleet truck maintenance. It’s important to track every aspect of your vehicles. This includes:
- Mileage
- Drivers
- Locations
- Fluids
- Maintenance
- Accidents
- Damages
- Repairs
- Fuel Costs
- And more
We also recommend conducting regular vehicle inspections and maintenance checks. If one of your drivers fails to report damages or any other issues, they’ll be uncovered in the inspection.
Complete Regular Oil Changes
Regular oil changes are one of the most important rules in proper truck maintenance. The old rule stated that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or three months. However, modern vehicles can generally go 6-12 months or 7,500 miles.
Regular oil changes will keep your engine clean and lubricated, which will prevent overheating. They will also increase engine efficiency and prolong the life of your engine.
Rotate the Tires Every 5,000 Miles
To avoid irregular wear and tear on your truck fleet tires, rotate them every 5,000 miles. The drive tires tend to wear out faster because they are the ones clawing for traction.
Your front tires will also wear out unevenly due to turning. Rotating your tires will help you prolong the lifespan of each set of tires, which will save you money in the long run.
Know Where Your Vehicles Are At All Times
No matter what types of trucks you use in your fleet, it’s important to know their whereabouts at all times. Whether you’re in the logistics industry, construction industry, or HVAC industry, you need to know where your drivers are going.
This is just as much about truck maintenance as it is about employee integrity. If they’re using the company truck to visit their partner at lunch or run personal errands, you’re paying for that fuel. Click here to learn more about GPS tracking equipment you can install in your fleet trucks.
Replace Tires When Necessary
Finally, don’t be stingy about replacing your truck tires. Getting a few hundred (or more) extra miles out of your tires isn’t worth it. Yes, you can delay needing to buy new tires. But how much will it cost if one of your drivers gets into an accident due to a blown tire?
Proper vehicle maintenance is a non-negotiable obligation of truck ownership. This means replacing tires as soon as it’s necessary.
Are You Keeping Up With Your Fleet Truck Maintenance?
As you can see, there are countless components to fleet truck maintenance. Are you keeping up with maintenance, tracking, and repairs?
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