It can be a real challenge keeping up with the maintenance and management of multiple assets. But to stay current on tasks related to routine service, and to quickly identify issues, a preventative commercial fleet maintenance schedule needs to be in place.
The impact that a preventative maintenance schedule will have on your bottom line is undeniable. To maximize your ROI, it is essential to manage maintenance costs. Where fleets are concerned, that is the largest ongoing cost. You can lengthen the lifespan of your vehicles, and minimize unplanned maintenance, with a strong preventative maintenance schedule.
Let’s look at a few tips as to how to go about devising a preventative commercial fleet maintenance program.
The First Steps
Okay, you’ve decided to develop a PM (preventative maintenance) schedule for your fleet. First off, according to the assets, you must analyze maintenance costs. If a preventative maintenance schedule had been in place already, what larger repairs could have been avoided? That’s the first question to ask yourself.
Once your initial analysis is done, and you have implemented a PM schedule, the maintenance program must be subject to ongoing analysis. In this manner, you’ll be ensuring the smooth operation and constant improvement of your fleet. Consider generating reports by calculating the TCO (total cost of ownership) for your fleet. This can help make a positive impact on your bottom line while measuring performance.
Set Service Reminders Using Odometer Readings
This is a little old school, but (in theory) it still works. Keeping track of odometer readings is critical because mileage is what most manufacturers base recommended service on. Unfortunately, efficient use of tracking odometer readings can be difficult for the following reasons:
- Pertaining to the maintenance process, this can cause backups and delays.
- Infrequent updates are received by managers.
- Only once they get back to the office do drivers provide odometer updates.
But there is a way to make use of odometer readings more efficient – with fleet management software. This way, through electronic inspection reports or telematics integrations, accurate, regular odometer readings are received by managers. This also eliminates the gap between the office and the road.
Telematics Integrations
To improve the fleet maintenance process, an extensive amount of vehicle data is provided by vehicle tracking through telematics devices. This method allows managers to be made aware of upcoming service because, in real-time, it gathers and supplies odometer readings. With the right software, you can begin preventative maintenance as needed because service reminders are triggered and updated by real-time odometer readings.
eDVIR
This method is based on inspections and the receipt of daily updates as an alternative to updates based on received odometer readings. In the driver’s DVIR (daily vehicle inspection reports) odometer readings are recorded. Fleet managers can then manage preventative maintenance by monitoring mileage.
Unfortunately, real-time updates are not provided through the paper DVIR method. That’s why eDVIR (electronic daily vehicle inspection reports) is a more efficient method. Fleet managers can receive information in real-time because their drivers use a mobile app with which to perform inspections.
With this method, immediate issues can be addressed, and preventative maintenance schedules better adhered to, because fleet managers are receiving odometer updates and inspection results in real time.
Preventative Maintenance through Mickey Genuine Parts
If you don’t have an in-house vehicle maintenance department, you can rely on the technicians at our certified service centers located throughout the United States. Should you have the convenience of in-house vehicle maintenance, rely on Mickey Genuine Parts for the accessories and parts you need. If you order by 2 PM Eastern Standard Time, we can begin the shipping process the same day. If a part is out of stock, we will do our best to get the part out in the next three days. Contact us if you have any questions about parts, service, or used trailers.