Here, specialists in CPC training online, Driver Hire, outline what can you do to keep your fleet in top condition.
- Keep Vehicles Clean
Having clean and well-kept vehicles not only reflects well on your business, by portraying a professional image, it can also improve fuel efficiency, which will cut down on cost and protect the motor’s engine. When tyres have a build up of dirt, it leads to an increased amount of drag on the vehicle which leads to a reduction in fuel economy.
Keeping your vehicles clean can also give you opportunity to catch issues prematurely like rust and deterioration, before they develop into costly damages.
- Monitor Tyres
A vehicle’s tyres play a big part in its overall driving experience. It’s therefore important that your fleet inspector tests the pressure before and after every trip, as well as drivers taking the time to check it on the road, especially during long journeys.
The concept of using different types of tyres depending on the weather is a tactic that’s used widely in other countries but has been overlooked in the UK. This is mainly due to the costs incurred with tailoring wheels to different seasons, however with severe winter weather becoming more frequent, it is certainly an option worth considering.
- Plan Ahead
As with any other aspects of a business, it’s important to look forward to where you see your fleets in the future. Perhaps this involves a bigger fleet, expanding the number of drivers or introducing new fleet management systems to improve efficiency.
A failure to plan ahead could see you falling behind competitors, so it is vital to take a proactive approach and put necessary steps in place. An affective way to do this is to develop a relationship with a service provider who has the time and resource to manage larger fleets. Working with a specialist in this area will allow you to make the right moves at the right time, and avoid having to make decisions or spend money reactively.
- Train Your Drivers
Businesses should invest in training a fleet on how to drive efficiently and maintain their vehicles, including physical checks such as checking tire pressure and tread wear. By stressing the importance of careful, compliant driving, you will not only minimise the need for repairs, but you are also ensuring drivers are driving safely. As well as demonstrating how to do these checks, you explain why regular maintenance and careful driving are important as this will help instil habits as best practice.
- Conduct Regular Driver Reports
For larger businesses, it is worth defining a thorough inspection schedule, to help maintain a healthy fleet. This will include a host of preventative maintenance checks that take place regularly such as oil changes, tire changes and engine cleaning. If the demand to utilise this schedule is too high, then you should consider hiring a dedicated individual such as a specialised fleet inspector to take care of these things. Not only will this ensure the technical checks are in safe hands, but it will relieve time from other managers to focus on running the business.
Whether you are running a small business or running a fleet of thousands, taking a preventative approach to maintaining your vehicles will help save you both time and money in the long run. This helps you identify any problems early on before they require serious time and expense to resolve.
