On-site Fleet Vehicle Maintenance – Benefits and Tips
On-site fleet vehicle maintenance is a service that enables businesses to perform routine maintenance and repairs on their fleet vehicles without having to take the cars to a separate service center. Regular fleet maintenance ensures that all of your company’s vehicles continue to operate as intended and do not pose any safety risks to the drivers or passengers.
According to a Fleet Management Weekly survey, businesses that implement on-site fleet vehicle maintenance save an average of 15-20% over outsourcing maintenance and repair work to a service center. Furthermore, companies that perform on-site maintenance and repairs experience 20% less downtime due to vehicle failure. These figures emphasize the cost-saving and efficiency advantages of on-site fleet vehicle maintenance.
In addition to financial benefits, on-site fleet vehicle maintenance can improve customer satisfaction and fleet vehicle safety. A National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) study states that vehicle failure causes 70% of fleet vehicle accidents. Businesses can help to prevent these types of accidents by performing routine maintenance and repairs on-site and ensuring that their fleet vehicles are safe and reliable. Improved customer satisfaction can also be obtained by utilizing on-site fleet vehicle maintenance, as customers are more likely to be satisfied with their experience when they are transported in clean, well-maintained vehicles.
Fleet Maintenance Examples
Trucking Firms
A trucking company is an easy example of fleet maintenance. Because cargo trucks frequently travel long distances and through a wide range of climates, a solid maintenance structure must exist to ensure that a car does not break down in the middle of anywhere.
In a trucking company, the health of a truck is directly related to the company’s profitability; when trucks break down, deadlines are missed, making their customers unhappy and potentially jeopardizing their business.
Company Automobiles
Another example is any company that provides company vehicles to its employees. Transporting valuable employees in faulty vehicles poses a significant safety risk, so a comprehensive fleet maintenance program is in the company’s and its employees’ best interests. Accidents can cost employees and their employer’s staggering sums of money, so safety can also be a monetary issue. Who is to blame if a faulty vehicle causes an accident?
Benefits of On-site Fleet Maintenance
On-site fleet vehicle maintenance saves business time, money, and the inconvenience of moving automobiles. This service has the potential to offer many benefits to businesses, such as increased efficiency, improved scheduling, lower costs, and enhanced safety. The following is a list of additional advantages that come with on-site maintenance for fleet vehicles:
Personalization: The on-site maintenance of your company’s fleet vehicles can be adapted to your company’s particular specifications and needs to provide optimal service. As a result, rather than being restricted to a single service package designed for all fleets, you can select the preventative and corrective maintenance and repair services best suited to your organization.
Convenience: For on-site fleet vehicle maintenance, the company does not have to transport its vehicles to a service center. This service saves the company time and money. This service can save you time and effort and allow your fleet to continue generating revenue while on the road.
Productivity Increases: When businesses perform maintenance and repairs on-site, they can better keep their fleet vehicles in good working order and reduce the downtime resulting from vehicle failure. This service has the potential to contribute to an increase in the fleet’s overall productivity and ensure that vehicles are available when they are required.
Increased Customer Satisfaction: Performing fleet vehicle maintenance on-site can help ensure that your fleet vehicles are reliable and well-maintained, contributing to increased customer satisfaction. When customers are transported in tidy, well-maintained automobiles, they are more likely to have a positive overall impression of the experience they received.
Better Asset Management: On-site maintenance of fleet vehicles can assist businesses in better managing their fleet assets by providing detailed records of all maintenance and repair work carried out. This service allows for the fleet assets to be managed more effectively. This service can assist businesses in tracking the overall health of their fleet as well as the performance of their vehicles, allowing them to make more informed decisions regarding upgrades, repairs, and replacements.
Three main categories of a fleet maintenance worker
Fleet managers, drivers, and mechanics/repair technicians are the three prominent people in fleet maintenance.
1. Fleet managers
Managers of fleets are in charge of every vehicle in the fleet and are responsible for coordinating routine maintenance and repairs. The drivers may be the ones who have the most direct contact with the automobile daily. Still, the fleet manager is the one who is ultimately responsible for developing the schedule for routine maintenance. In addition to overseeing the purchase and sale of vehicles, fleet managers have a personal stake in maintaining the highest possible resale value for their fleet.
The fleet manager must consider numerous factors when developing a routine maintenance schedule. While the typical car owner might only be concerned with the significant expenses, the fleet manager must consider every component carefully. This management includes investigating glass repair, bodywork, oil changes, and fluids other than tires.
2. Fleet mechanic
Depending on the size of their vehicle fleet, it may be worthwhile for some businesses to hire a fleet mechanic. A cost-effective solution for fleets with many vehicles of the same type is to have one person take care of the routine maintenance of the entire fleet. Otherwise, the organization will hire various repair technicians under contract to handle the necessary upkeep and repairs.
3. Drivers
Most of the time, a vehicle is used by the driver. While drivers must do their jobs safely, it is equally crucial that they assess the state of their automobiles each day. Because they are often the first to notice warning signs, they must report them to their superiors as soon as possible. In addition, motorists should thoroughly inspect their vehicle to ensure it complies with DOT standards.
Agencies that use on-site fleet maintenance
The on-site fleet maintenance program is used by any agency that frequently transports its employees in commercial vehicles. A few illustrations are:
- All trucks are serviced either before they leave or after they arrive at their destination.
- Due to the wide range of clients and driving preferences, rental car companies tailor their fleet maintenance schedules for each vehicle.
- All vehicles used by government employees undergo routine maintenance.
- In agriculture, regular maintenance is performed on all machinery (i.e. tractors, plows, etc.).
Tips on On-site Fleet Vehicle Maintenance
The following are some tips for effectively implementing on-site maintenance for fleet vehicles:
Choose a reliable provider
A proven track record of delivering high-quality maintenance and repair services on-site is essential. Look for a provider with a team of knowledgeable technicians who can handle a variety of maintenance and repair responsibilities under one roof.
Develop a maintenance schedule
Establish a timetable for your fleet’s regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that the vehicles in your fleet receive the necessary attention consistently and are kept in good condition. This practice can help to reduce the likelihood of your automobiles breaking down and extend their lifespan.
Establish clear communication channels
Establish clear communication channels between your on-site maintenance team and your fleet managers to ensure that any issues or concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
Maintain complete and accurate records
Keep correct documents of all the maintenance and repair work done on your fleet vehicles. This practice will help you track your fleet’s overall performance and health and ensure that your vehicles comply with all applicable regulations.
Employ preventative maintenance
Using preventive care can help reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and extend the useful life of your fleet vehicles. This practice can include changing the oil regularly, rotating the tires, and performing other routine maintenance.
Invest in quality components and machinery
Using high-quality parts and machinery can help ensure that your fleet vehicles are well-maintained and dependable. In the future, this may also help reduce the likelihood of unnecessary breakdowns and repairs.
Train your mechanics
Providing them with ongoing training can help ensure they have the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain and appropriately repair your fleet vehicles.
Utilize the available technology to your advantage
Many tools and technologies can help streamline on-site fleet vehicle maintenance, and you can take advantage of these. This practice can include diagnostic tools, fleet management software, and other automated systems that can assist in tracking maintenance schedules, monitoring vehicle performance, and alerting technicians to potential problems.
Take into account the size and scope of your fleet
When determining the on-site fleet vehicle maintenance strategy that will be the most effective for your business, the size and scope of your fleet will play a significant role. You can handle maintenance and repairs in-house with just a few mechanics if you have a small fleet. However, for a more extensive fleet, you should explore the possibility of forming a partnership with a third-party logistics provider or outsourcing maintenance and repairs to a network of service providers.
Evaluate the long-term costs
Even though the initial investment in on-site maintenance might be higher, it can save businesses money in the long run by lowering the likelihood of costly breakdown repairs and extending the useful life of fleet vehicles.
How can Matrack Fleet Management Help in Fleet maintenance?
Matrack Fleet Management software and system assist businesses in managing fleet maintenance and operations. The software includes several tools and features that can help to streamline the fleet maintenance process, such as:
Maintenance schedule: Matrack Fleet Management enables businesses to plan routine maintenance and repairs for their fleet vehicles, such as oil changes and tire rotations. This feature helps to ensure that vehicles are correctly maintained and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns.
Tracking of service history: The platform enables businesses to track the service history of their fleet vehicles, including all maintenance and repair work performed. It can also assist in identifying potential problems and monitoring the overall health of the fleet.
Vehicle tracking: Matrack Fleet Management includes GPS tracking and location services, allowing businesses to track the location and movement of their fleet vehicles in real-time, Aiding in route optimization and efficiency.
Alerts and notifications: When maintenance or repair work is due, or a vehicle requires attention, the platform can send alerts and messages to fleet managers and also helps to ensure that vehicles are correctly maintained and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns.
Matrack Fleet Management offers customizable reports that enable businesses to track their fleet’s performance and efficiency, aiding in identifying areas for improvement and optimizing fleet operations.
Most importantly, you will receive a safety report that includes the number of miles driven, miles driven (if you exceed 80 mph), hard break activity, and time spent driving late at night.
And the new dashboard is easier to use, adaptable to iOS and Android, and has several unique features that set it apart as a fleet management system.
The fleet-tracking software and system from Matrack provide businesses with the visibility they need to track and manage their assets, fleets, and trailers. Matrack helps businesses streamline their operations, lowering costs and increasing profits. If you’re interested in Matrack’s services, you can schedule a free consultation with one of our in-house experts.
Overall, Matrack Fleet Management is a comprehensive software system that can assist businesses in streamlining fleet maintenance and operations, resulting in increased efficiency, lower costs, and increased safety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a service that maintains a company’s fleet of vehicles on-site can increase productivity, streamline operations, cut costs, and boost security. Further benefits include increased fleet vehicle security and happy customers. For on-site fleet maintenance to be successful, businesses must select a trustworthy provider, create a maintenance schedule, set up effective communication, keep detailed records, purchase high-quality tools, and educate their staff. Technology, such as fleet management software, can also be used to facilitate this process’s smooth running. On-site fleet vehicle maintenance is a helpful tool for companies that want to centralize their fleet’s upkeep and operations for greater efficiency and effectiveness.