While regular vehicle inspections and maintenance are standard practices, fleets can still encounter unexpected repair needs. These issues can disrupt journeys and impact business operations. As a fleet manager, it's essential to take preventive measures and be well-prepared to handle such unforeseen situations.
Here are 5 strategies recommended by Dibee to help businesses minimize vehicle maintenance costs:
1. Regular communication with drivers
Effective communication is key in any role within a company. As a fleet manager, fostering clear communication channels between you and the drivers is crucial. Request daily reports from the driver team regarding their trips, including driver performance, road conditions, and any incidents encountered. This proactive approach allows you to stay informed about the vehicle's condition and identify maintenance needs early on.
2. Establish a regular maintenance schedule
Routine maintenance goes beyond simple tasks like oil changes and tire rotations every 5000km. To minimize unexpected maintenance costs, create a comprehensive vehicle maintenance checklist.
To limit unexpected maintenance costs, managers need to create a vehicle checklist, including the following main items:
Check windshield wipers for wear and tear and replace if necessary.
Lubricate iron rust, inspect chassis, joints, shock absorbers, and balance bars.
Inspect brake pads, brake discs, brake drums, calipers, springs, and hooks.
Check radiator, belts, oil, coolant, brake fluid, gearbox oil, windshield washer fluid, potential leak points, and exposed electrical cables.
Check tire wear patterns, belt condition, and tire balance.
You can refer to another article from the Dibee team,sharing 6 Criteria for Selecting Effective Fuel Payment and Management Solutions for Businesses in Vietnam
3. Hire a dedicated mechanic
If feasible, consider hiring dedicated mechanics for your fleet. Why?
Not all maintenance garages are familiar with every vehicle brand, model, and year of manufacture. Typically, they may suggest replacing parts altogether instead of repairing them, which can be more costly and might not guarantee quality or compatibility.
Therefore, if you lack extensive knowledge about the vehicle models your business operates, you should find a reputable repair shop or hire an experienced mechanic familiar with your vehicles to perform regular maintenance.
4. Conduct vehicle inspections yourself
In addition to driver reports, conduct frequent vehicle inspections yourself or delegate this task to qualified mechanics. Regular inspections allow for early detection of potential issues, even when drivers fail to report them. This proactive approach helps maintain vehicle integrity and prevents costly repairs down the line.
5. Prepare backup vehicles
Even with regular maintenance, vehicles can still encounter unforeseen problems, although the frequency of occurrences will decrease significantly. To minimize disruptions, consider maintaining a fleet of backup vehicles.
A general rule of thumb is to have one backup vehicle for every ten vehicles in your fleet. This ensures uninterrupted operations and prevents overburdening other vehicles during maintenance or repairs.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reduce maintenance costs, optimize expenses, and ensure smooth fleet operations. Dibee hopes you find these tips valuable.
Wishing you success!
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