Pay Attention To Fleet Maintenance
It’s a basic concept, but fleet maintenance is often one of the most overlooked processes of operating a commercial fleet as a lot of focus is often on filling the delivery schedule. Create a care routine for your fleet, and you’ll prevent costly over the road repairs.
Centralize Your Maintenance Schedule
Your operators and staff know the ins and outs of your fleet better than anyone. Have a person or team dedicated to monitoring fleet maintenance.
It’s easy to lose track of your maintenance schedule, so utilize your team to help you set up a plan. It may also be worthwhile to invest in maintenance software that will monitor your maintenance schedule and send alerts to your phone.
Mind Internal Operations
Fluids: Check your fluids monthly to monitor coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. Consult your manufacturer’s manual for the replacement frequency.
Hoses and belts: Watch out for cracks in hoses and belts. Catching wear early on will prevent road failures and save your bottom line.
Filters: Air filters keep debris out of your engine and the cabins of your fleet. How often you change filters depends on driving distance and the atmosphere of the road conditions. See the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often you should be changing your filters.
Oil: The moving parts of your fleet’s engines require regular oil top-offs to keep everything running smoothly. See the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often you should be changing your engine oil.
Tire Maintenance Is A Must
Your tires are the only thing that keeps your fleet rolling ahead. Worn, damaged, or underinflated tires put you at risk for a blowout and costly downtime. According to Michelin’s Service Manual, “failure to maintain correct inflation pressure may result in sudden tire destruction and/or improper vehicle handling. Additionally it will result in irregular wear. Therefore, inflation pressures should be checked weekly and always before long distance trips.”
- Check inflation pressures on all tires at least one time per week and when tires are cold.
- Never bleed air from hot tires.
- Check both tires in a dual fitment; air pressure should match.
- Use an accurate calibrated tire gauge to check pressures.
- Inspect tires for mismatched tread depth, bulges or cracks in the sidewall or tread.
- Schedule alignment if excessive wear is visible on the tires.
Fleet Cleanliness Is Good Advertising
Always put your best face forward. Clearing your fleet of grease, dirt, and salt is a necessary practice. And when you keep your fleet squeaky clean, it conveys a message to business prospects that you’re invested in your operations. Come to Bauer Built Tire & Service for all your fleet maintenance needs. Contact us online for more information about our commercial services.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Commercial Tire Tips
