21/09/2017
It’s a no brainer, really. Regular maintenance of your fleet cars will prevent costly repairs in the future. Even simple steps like changing your oil regularly and checking your radiator for issues can help correct small things that may be problematic now, which can cause havoc in the future.
How to keep your fleet healthy
As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. Stay on top of the little things and the major problems will probably never happen. Moreover, if you stick to your scheduled maintenance programme, your car will run smoothly and at maximum efficiency.
The prime example of this is fuel. Put simply, your car’s efficiency will be at its maximum when scheduled maintenance is carried out on time. If your cars are in use regularly and running smoothly, the savings in fuel costs will be highly significant.
Utilising fuel cards like fuelGenie is another excellent way of saving your fleet money. By buying fuel at consistently low supermarket prices, you’ll soon notice a big drop in your company’s fuel expenditure.
It goes without saying that regular car maintenance promotes safety, too. By checking your tyres and ensuring the right air pressure, you can help prevent accidents and associated costs. For example, not all accident repairs are covered by insurance and, often, your insurance premium will shoot up.
So, don’t scrimp and save on your fleet’s servicing. To keep your vehicle in A1 condition, it should typically be serviced every year.
You can do other things too:
Keep an eye on the distance you can cover between oil changes. You’ll find this figure in your car’s manual. Change when you’re told to change.
Stick to the recommended tyre pressures in your manual and check them regularly. Tyres that are under or over pressure will wear out unevenly and cause major problems down the road.
Uneven tyre wear can also be caused by the tracking being out of alignment. This can be checked and sorted at any garage.
Of course, your major concern with tyres is safety and the safety of your drivers. If they’re in poor condition, they could blow out on a busy road or lose traction in poor weather. Alarming, indeed.
A well maintained car is a better performing car. Things just run smoother and more efficiently. Fuel economy is often better, once again saving your fleet money.
Moreover, it extends the lifespan of your vehicle and generates a higher selling value if you decide to part with it.
In summary, a properly maintained car increases safety, performance and the value of your car. All saving your business money. What’s not to like?
Quick checklist:
Brakes – make sure they work smoothly and that your vehicle doesn’t pull to one side
Tyres – check for cuts, bulges, inflation and tread (at least 1.6mm)
Test your windscreen wipers and washers
Examine your lights – are they all working correctly? Are the colours correct and match?
Make sure your view of the road is clear of obstructions
Are you maintaining your fleet properly? Join in the discussion on LinkedIn andTwitter.
