Fleet vehicles are more than just modes of transportation — they are tools that companies and organisations use to conduct and grow their business. And since fleet vehicles are often essential to everyday operations, there’s arguably nothing more important than fleet maintenance. Without proper vehicle care, you could face serious safety or compliance issues, business downtime, loss of revenue, and high repair costs.
The reality, however, is that keeping up to date with fleet maintenance management for a handful of vehicles, let alone hundreds, can be complex and overwhelming. But with the right systems and technology in place, you can easily track and manage your vehicles, and possibly even reduce your bottom line in the process.
Here are six strategies to consider if you’re looking to simplify fleet maintenance:
Implement fleet maintenance software
This might sound obvious, but scheduling routine maintenance on a regular basis is one of the best steps you can take when it comes to streamlining operations. Preventative maintenance (PM) services or a solid PM programme is one of the least expensive insurance options a fleet can buy to maximise asset uptime.
Taking care of small issues before they turn into costly repairs will also minimise vehicle downtime. This includes oil changes, filter replacements, tire rotations, wheel alignment, wiper blade replacement, and brake pad replacement.
In order to do this most effectively, you need to implement the right software solution, which will allow you to easily track maintenance expenses and vehicle maintenance history and quickly see a service schedule for all of your vehicles.
Even better: find a solution that allows you to set up preventative maintenance alerts so that you receive emails or texts to ensure your vehicles never fall behind on routine maintenance.
Use the power of telematics and vehicle data.
Big data is your friend. Whether you obtain it from telematics devices, GPS tracking, or connected vehicles, it’s one of the most powerful tools in gathering measurable, actionable data about your fleet. By combining connected vehicle data, GPS technology, and integrated telecommunications, telematics provides real-time and historic snapshots to help you manage expenses, utilization, productivity, compliance, and safety. With the power of telematics, you can easily monitor emissions, speed and idle times, system diagnostics, and much more.
Embrace artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is integrating with every industry in some capacity — including fleet management.
According to a LinkedIn article, the global fleet management market is expected to grow from $25 billion in 2022 to $52 billion by 2027 thanks to AI.
This type of technology is largely used in predictive maintenance by analyzing data from sensors and other sources to determine when a vehicle needs a tune-up.
Monitor driver behaviour and implement driver safety training
Driver safety should be your first priority, and through the power of connected vehicle data, you can monitor driving habits such as harsh braking, after-hours usage, harsh acceleration, speeding, harsh cornering, and idle time. Not only are these behaviours dangerous, but they can create unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicles, leading to major maintenance problems down the line. It’s highly recommended to encourage your drivers to inspect their vehicles daily.
Work with ASE-certified technicians
If you have your own technicians, ensure they are up to date on the latest tools, equipment, and industry knowledge. Ideally, you should entrust the care and maintenance of your fleet vehicles to Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified technicians. These types of service professionals have undergone rigorous training and passed certification tests that were written by industry members and executives.
The tests are also divided into specialised areas — such as truck equipment, collision repair, parts specialists, and heavy-duty trucks — which means the ASE-certified technician working on your fleet vehicle has the proper training and knowledge to make informed decisions and maintenance recommendations. And if you have any electric vehicles, you want to make sure your technicians are qualified with the right knowledge and experience.
Partner with a fleet management company
If you’re an in-house fleet manager, you likely have a lot on your plate, but you also have the option of enlisting the assistance of a fleet management company to help streamline maintenance and lower fleet repairs costs. One of the major benefits of a solid maintenance programme is the scheduled routine maintenance, which helps to prevent more costly unscheduled maintenance. Not every company offers the same services, so be sure to do your homework and find a reputable partner who has exactly what you’re looking for.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to managing a fleet, but at the end of the day, there are ways to effectively streamline maintenance. Think of it this way: routine, preventative maintenance is essential for your fleet to run properly. You want to be proactive about your vehicles. It’s a smart business decision.