Maintaining a heavy vehicle fleet is challenging because the vehicles undergo a lot of wear and tear while on the road. If you own a fleet of heavy vehicles for your business, maintenance and repair costs can significantly drain your budget.
It makes sense to keep those vehicles in good repair, not just for safety reasons but also to ensure that you don’t have to worry about them breaking down when you need them most. But heavy vehicle maintenance can be costly, so how do you improve the quality of your fleet without breaking the bank?
Keep maintenance logs
A simple way to keep your vehicles running smoothly is to keep a maintenance log. Doing this will help you see if there is anything that needs to be fixed or replaced. You will also have an idea of when to have the service done. You can also use it to help you see if the technicians are doing their job correctly.
Keeping a log of your vehicle’s maintenance is a great way to keep the vehicle in good condition. It is an excellent idea to keep the maintenance logs for all your vehicles in one place. You may want to make photocopies of each record and then keep them in your vehicle’s glove compartment.
It is a lot easier to have a copy of the maintenance log in the glove compartment than to try to keep the original log. Each time you have a maintenance service performed, put a checkmark next to the service on the log. Then, at the end of the month, you can total the number of checks to determine how much you have spent on maintenance.
Maintain tires
Before you know it, the time will come when you have to change the tires on your heavy vehicles. It is essential to maintain them, as they will determine the quality and safety of your vehicles. If you have AC tires, you’ll need to change the air pressure every month.
You should avoid letting the tires lose pressure as much as possible because that is why they wear out faster. In addition, you should check their pressure every day to make sure that there is no air loss. Good tire pressure is between 22 psi (pounds per square inch) and 33 psi. When you’re driving, you should also check the treads on your tires. If the treads are below the 1/16 mark, it’s time to replace the tires.
Keep vehicles clean after every trip
Keeping the truck clean after every trip is crucial. Not only will it help to maintain the condition of the truck, but it will also keep the driver safe. Cleaning the truck after every trip allows the driver to notice any problems so they can be addressed before they become dangerous. It also helps to catch problems before they become more significant.
Keeping your heavy vehicles clean doesn’t just make your business look professional. Clean trucks reduce the risk of injury and keep your employees comfortable. Imagine driving around in a truck that has food and beverage stains, dirt and grime on the seats, and old trash in the back.
Not only is it unappealing, but it also makes the driver and passengers less safe. For example, dirty seats could cause the driver to slip and fall when exiting the vehicle. In addition, it could be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs.
Since multiple employees and the public share heavy vehicles, it’s a good idea to schedule a heavy truck cleaning every time the truck comes back from a trip or business trip. Cleaning your heavy vehicles regularly will help to keep employees and customers safe, which could lead to fewer claims and lawsuits.
Use quality parts to replace old ones
Vehicles are complicated pieces of machinery. They are made up of a number of important mechanical and electrical parts. These parts can wear out over time or simply develop faults. It’s important to keep an eye on their condition and replace any parts, like Power Steering Pumps, that have become damaged or worn in order to avoid complications down the line.
It is vital to use quality parts to replace the old ones, not only for the safety of your trucks but also to save money. Many people try to save money by using cheaper parts, which may not be a good idea. The reason is that these parts can cause problems in the future.
Low-quality parts may not last long, so if you want to save money, you can use them for the short term, but you will have to spend more money later.
Hire qualified professionals
It’s not a secret that a truck is the heart of any business, especially the heavy vehicle fleet. Without it, you’re not moving, period. Since it is the lifeblood of your business, taking care of it and maintaining it is paramount.
The experience of your drivers and mechanics is key to a successful business. When you have highly skilled and qualified professionals, you have a better chance of keeping your heavy vehicle fleet running smoothly and avoiding any costly repairs and maintenance.
Hiring professional drivers is of utmost importance to your business and customers’ safety. Not only will you need someone to drive your trucks, but you also need someone to repair them. Having a professional driver will help your business in the long run because they can drive your truck steadily and carefully.
Not only that, but they will also be responsible for keeping your vehicle in top condition by repairing it.
Place routine maintenance in your schedule
When it comes to heavy vehicle maintenance, there are a few simple things that you can do to make sure that your fleet is ready to go whenever you need it. The first thing you need to do is have a thorough look at your schedule to see when you will be using the fleet.
You can even schedule the fleet to be brought in for maintenance at that time. You might even want to set up a service call so the mechanic can quickly inspect the vehicle before you take it out for a job.
Routine maintenance is an essential aspect of keeping your fleet of heavy vehicles running smoothly. If you neglect routine maintenance, you may find yourself with a fleet of vehicles needing expensive repairs. A good maintenance schedule will help you keep your fleet running at the highest level of efficiency.
