Do you know how much money you are spending on fleet maintenance each year?
Without a proper fleet maintenance management program in place, you could lose track of thousands of dollars in repairs, part replacements, and vehicle downtime.
There are two different ways to approach fleet maintenance management: proactively and reactively. The method you choose can make or break your fleet’s productivity and profitability. You may not realize it, but you could spend thousands of dollars on unnecessary repairs if you do not carefully monitor the health and life of every vehicle in your fleet. Overlooking just one vehicle’s maintenance could result in days of downtime, hundreds of dollars in repairs, and even the need to replace that vehicle.
Your vehicles and their drivers are the backbones of your fleet. If all of your drivers and assets are not operating properly your productivity and bottom line will suffer.
Knowing that, which fleet maintenance style should you choose?
Reactive Fleet Maintenance
Reactive fleet maintenance is by far the easiest option. It requires very little planning or spending upfront. Rather than creating a maintenance plan to prevent future problems, this style plan operates on a day-to-day basis. Problems with vehicles, parts, and compliance issues are managed as they arise.
Sure, this method may be cheaper in the beginning, but is this really the most efficient and cost-effective way to manage your fleet?
The best vehicle maintenance programs are preventative, but also have the ability to react to any issues that come up. With a reactive fleet maintenance plan, you do not have the option of monitoring preventative maintenance to avoid problems in the future that otherwise could have been avoided.
Proactive Fleet Maintenance
Proactive fleet maintenance requires an upfront investment in an online fleet maintenance program. The program should have the ability to monitor and track all vehicle maintenance.
Keeping an accurate record of vehicle service history, compliance document expiration dates, and inspection deadlines are crucial for keeping a well-maintained fleet.
While proactive maintenance programs require more spending in advance, you will save thousands of dollars in the long-run avoiding vehicle breakdowns, downtime, and other expenses.
