Maintaining a fleet of vehicles in perfect condition not only ensures the safety of your equipment, but also saves you time and money. Do you want to know how to do it efficiently?
At Weldon we tell you the keys to preventive maintenance and optimal management of your fleet.
1. Create a preventive maintenance plan
The first step in fleet maintenance is to establish a preventive plan. This plan should include regular tasks such as oil changes, brake checks, wheel alignments and checking fluid levels. Scheduling this maintenance in advance will allow you to detect potential problems before they turn into costly breakdowns.
It is essential that you define maintenance intervals based on the usage of each vehicle. A vehicle that is used daily for long journeys will need more frequent inspections than one that travels fewer kilometres. Also, ensure that you record each intervention so that you have an up-to-date maintenance history.
2. Use technology to your advantage
Today, technology is your best ally. Fleet management software solutions allow you to monitor the status of each vehicle in real time. These types of tools alert you when a maintenance date is approaching, record mileage and facilitate the detection of mechanical problems through automatic diagnostics.
Another benefit of these platforms is that they allow you to track maintenance costs. You can then identify which vehicles are more expensive to maintain and decide whether it is more cost-effective to repair or replace them.
3. Driver training
The condition of vehicles does not depend solely on technical maintenance. Driving habits also have a significant impact. It is advisable to train drivers on good driving practices, such as avoiding abrupt accelerations, braking progressively and performing daily visual inspections before starting their journey.
Involving drivers in daily maintenance is an excellent way to prevent problems. Ask them to check oil levels, check tires and report any abnormal vehicle behaviour, such as unusual noises or loss of power.
4. Perform regular inspections
Even if you have a preventive maintenance plan, it is important to perform regular visual inspections. These inspections can be carried out by a specialised technician or by the drivers themselves. They should include revision of lights, tires, brakes, steering and suspension. Any small malfunction detected in time can prevent major problems.
Don’t forget the interior of the vehicle. Make sure that the air conditioning system, windows and other internal components are working properly. These aspects, although seemingly less critical, influence driver comfort and can improve driver performance.
5. Control costs and choosing quality parts
One of the biggest challenges in fleet maintenance is cost control. While it may be tempting to opt for cheaper parts to cut costs, this can be counter-productive in the long run. Using good quality spare parts and using specialised workshops is essential to ensure the longevity of your vehicles.
In addition, it is important that you track the costs associated with maintenance, such as parts, labour and vehicle downtime. This will allow you to identify patterns and adjust your maintenance strategy more efficiently.
6. Manage the vehicle’s life cycle
Each vehicle has a limited life cycle. At a certain point, the cost of maintaining a vehicle can exceed the cost of purchasing a new one. Managing the life cycle of each vehicle will help you make informed decisions about when it is the right time to replace a vehicle.
Establish clear criteria for evaluating the performance of each unit, such as number of breakdowns, mileage and repair costs. When a vehicle begins to show a significant increase in maintenance costs, it may be time to remove it from the fleet.
7. Ensuring a good relationship with your suppliers
Finally, maintaining a good relationship with your suppliers is key to ensuring efficient maintenance. This includes everything from repair workshops to spare parts and fuel suppliers. By establishing long-term relationships, you can negotiate better prices and service conditions, which translates into savings and faster repairs.
Turn your fleet management into a competitive advantage: Use technology, train your team and keep control of your fleet. Find out how at Weldon!