The Benefits of Fleet Repair Services
Fleet maintenance and fleet repair services are the processes of maintaining and repairing a company’s fleet of vehicles. Are there benefits for a company to have fleet repair services?
Absolutely! Benefits include but are not limited to:
1. Ensures Safety
Fleet management and fleet repair services help a business or organization to stay on top of the safety of its fleet. Routine inspection minimizes the risk of those vehicles breaking down or having an accident.
2. Lowers Fleet Repair Costs
A fleet maintenance program and fleet repair services provide the business or organization performance data of their vehicles that help to determine when it is time to trade the vehicles in for a new vehicle. With these routine maintenance programs and fleet repair services, the cost of repairs is minimized, keeping the vehicles on the road longer.
3. Operational Costs Reduced
The cost of operating a fleet of vehicles is increased by downtime and idling vehicles. Fleet repair services allow a company to assess a driver’s behavior and driving patterns. With this information, they can train the drivers to better habits that will save on fuel expenses and reduce emissions.
4. Control Centralized
Whether a company is looking to control costs, minimize downtime and administrative burdens, or track expenses, a fleet repair services and maintenance program puts everything in one place where it can be reviewed.
5. Resale Value Maximized
When a company is ready to upgrade its fleet, many will sell the existing vehicles. With a record of fleet repair services and maintenance, it makes it easier to make sales.
What is Typically Included in Fleet Repair Services?
The fleet services for a business or organization are typically set up in two different time frames: short-term and long-term. Included in those time frames are:
Short-term fleet inspections include:
- Oil and Filters: Just like our personal cars, it is important for fleet repair services to include changing the oil and filter. This maintains optimal levels for lubricating moving parts, preventing debris inside the engine, and keeping the engine cool and running properly.
- The Tires: Again, just like our personal cars, keeping the tires well-maintained with fleet repair services and maintenance maintains better fuel efficiency and keeps the occupants of the car safe with proper tire pressure, tread depth, and routine rotation.
- Air Filters: The air filter is just as important for fleet repair services and maintenance as it is in a personal car. This keeps the cabin air healthier and keeps the engine healthier, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces emissions while extending the engine’s lifespan.
- Coolant: Routine fleet repair services include checking the coolant level. Too low of a coolant can cause major engine problems.
- Brakes and Lights: The short-term fleet repair service is vital to the fleet’s safety.
Long-term fleet inspections include:
- Transmission: A technician will check the transmission fluid to ensure the moving parts associated with the transmission are lubricated.
- Transfer Case: The transfer case shifts power from the transmission to the vehicle’s axles. One step in fleet repair services and maintenance is to ensure the fluid level is adequate.
- Shocks & Struts: An important step in long-term fleet repair service and maintenance is checking the shocks & struts are adequately performing to provide a smooth ride and safe steering control.
- Coolant Fluid Flush: A basic fleet repair service and maintenance includes flushing the coolant system to keep the engine clear of any contaminants and the radiator functioning properly.
- Spark Plugs: A long-term fleet repair service includes changing the spark plugs. This keeps the engine at full power and minimizes other repairs.
- Serpentine Belts: The serpentine belt has an important role in how a vehicle is powered. It can affect the operation of the alternator, peripheral devices, air compressor, and power steering pumps.
- The Differentials: The front & rear differentials are important in a car’s functioning. The technician will check the differentials to ensure the lubrication that assists with the transfer of power from the motor to the tires.
Fleet repair service and maintenance can vary from area to area to match the demands of the driving conditions, season, and weather. This includes the battery and windshield wipers.
What Happens if You Eliminate Fleet Repair Service and Maintenance?
Every business and organization must watch its budget, and many will do that by halting routine fleet maintenance and fleet repair services. But are they saving money?
By eliminating these things, the fleet is at risk of more breakdowns. This increases downtime, meaning there is money lost in most cases. Often, a company or organization will move their fleet repair services and maintenance done “in-house”, meaning, they have a mechanical staff doing the work. The goal is to save money by giving the company or organization control over expenses.
This can work if the company mechanical staff is knowledgeable and on top of the problems, adjusting and repairs as needed. If anything is overlooked, however, this can cause them more expenses in the long run.