It’s not only freight shipping and transit companies that rely on a fleet of company vehicles to keep their business operating. There are many different types of businesses that would be in big trouble if their fleet of work vehicles were off the road, including contractors, landscaping companies, courier services, and many more. In order to ensure the success of their business, these companies who rely on their commercial fleet vehicles need to make sure their fleets are kept running smoothly. If you are a fleet manager or a business owner, then keep reading to find out a few top fleet maintenance tips from Spencers Auto & Diesel Fleet Mechanics which will help keep your commercial fleet running smoothly.
Make Preventative Maintenance a Priority
Addressing potential issues before they turn into problems is a great way to help keep your fleet of commercial vehicles running on schedule. Most drivers perform at least some types of preventative maintenance on their vehicles, such as tire rotations and oil changes, but as a fleet manager, you should go one step further by performing routine vehicle safety inspections to check things such as fluid levels, belt tension, and general inspections for signs of wear and tear that could lead to premature failure of essential vehicle components.
Basic issues such as proper tire inflation and low fluid levels can be checked by anybody, even fleet managers who have minimal experience when it comes to automotive mechanics, but it is still important to ensure you have certified fleet mechanics perform more comprehensive preventative maintenance inspections and checks. Their experience will let them identify problems that someone with minimal experience would be unable to identify. They will also be able to spot issues which could cause breakdowns or accidents in advance, and then replace those parts before any problems or more substantial damage arises. This helps to keep your fleet running smoothly, avoiding unnecessary costs and employee downtime.
Prepare for the Worst
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how religiously fleet managers adhere to fleet vehicle maintenance schedules, or how carefully their employees drive, there is always a chance that something will go wrong with your vehicles. While you can avoid it to some extent by applying the tips in this article, when something does go wrong, make sure you are prepared. Make sure you have a reliable fleet vehicle mechanic who will be able to diagnose the issues and get your fleet vehicles back on the road as quickly as possible.
The fleet vehicle mechanics at Spencers Auto and Diesel are the number one choice for many fleet managers in Ocala, FL. If you are looking for a fleet mechanic to help you manage your fleet in Ocala, FL, then give them a call to make sure that when something does go wrong with your vehicle, you have a certified fleet mechanic standing by, ready to get you back on the road.
Frequently Review your Fleet Management Plan
For a sure fire way to reduce a fleet managers’ stress, make it easier to manage costs, ensure driver safety, improve the brand’s image – by making sure all vehicles are in good shape, both aesthetically and mechanically – and increase regulatory compliance, you need to have a well-executed fleet management plan. As any company grows, so does the fleet, and over time drivers and/or vehicles can be replaced. It’s important for fleet managers to review these plans regularly, to ensure they remain up-to-date on the current standings of the fleet. One of the best ways to keep a fleet running smoothly is by performing periodic audits on key performance indicators.
Wrapping Up…
Whether you manage a handful of work vans, or dozens of 18-wheelers, as a fleet manager you have a lot on your plate. But, by utilising a comprehensive fleet maintenance plan, performing regular preventative maintenance tasks, and ensuring that all employees are on the same page with regards to vehicle safety, you can improve the performance of the company vehicles, and ultimately ensure that your fleet keeps running smoothly.