With the right care, fleet costs can be reduced significantly. A common mistake among commercial carriers is neglecting to take steps to reduce vehicle downtime, practice proper driving techniques, conduct regular inspections, and invest in fleet maintenance software. Taking extra care of vehicles tremendously saves on fleet costs while reducing stress.
Reduce Vehicle Downtime
In the fleet industries, managers view downtime as a bad word. Vehicle downtime is to be expected but extended or frequent vehicle downtime can be detrimental to a fleet business. Fleet downtime increases stress, causes missed deadlines, and is overall very expensive. Downtime burns cash and prevents the vehicle from being used to make revenue. Scheduled maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns while keeping the vehicle running as efficiently as possible.
Reducing Fuel Consumption
Not only is conserving fuel more economical but reducing fuel consumption is kinder to the environment. There are several simple ways that drivers can conserve fuel to save on fleet operational costs. The first simple step is driving at a moderate pace and speed. Driving at high speeds can increase fuel consumption greatly. Maintaining a safe speed will reduce the number of carbon emissions and save on fuel costs. Rapid acceleration and sudden breaking are horrible for the braking system and can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%. Speeding and rabid breaking burns cash and increases the likelihood of damaging the vehicle or getting involved in an accident. Practicing proper driving techniques will significantly reduce costs and protect the vehicle from damage.
Pre-Trip Inspections and Scheduled Maintenance
Conducting pre-trip inspections is a great way to save on fuel costs. To reduce fuel consumption, it is important to make sure that the tires are inflated. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%. During the pre-trip inspection, drivers must check tire pressure with a gauge and keep them inflated to reduce fuel consumption. Again, scheduled maintenance is another great way to save on costs. Well-maintained vehicles tend to have better fuel efficiency. Regular tune-ups, tire rotations, and oil changes can help optimize engine performance and reduce the overall cost of fuel.
Regular Inspections
As mentioned, pre-trip inspections are a great way to reduce fuel consumption, but regular inspections can catch problems early as well. Defects can compromise the performance and safety of a vehicle. The performance of a vehicle not only affects fuel consumption but can cause the vehicle to accumulate more expensive repairs. In some cases, the damage causes permanent deterioration of the vehicle. Conducting regular inspections will catch an issue before the defect becomes a major problem, therefore increasing the longevity of the vehicle.
Invest in Fleet Maintenance Software
Fleet maintenance software enables commercial carriers to implement and sustain proper fleet maintenance practices that save on overall costs. By investing in fleet maintenance software the costs saved will offset the monthly costs of the software. Whip Around is an intuitive software that organizes all fleet maintenance needs onto one platform. Whip Around sets notifications for scheduled maintenance which ultimately saves on fuel consumption and increases vehicle longevity. Whip Around stores inspection on one platform, making the inspections easily accessible for drivers if they get pulled over by a DOT officer preventing costly fines.
The inspection process with Whip Around holds drivers accountable by forcing drivers to get out of the vehicle to take pictures throughout the inspection. Managers will receive real-time data from the inspections and immediately see any vehicle defects. Overall, fleet maintenance software guarantees that the fleet maintenance process is simple and conducted properly.
Creating a reliable maintenance plan and increasing driver awareness will reduce fleet costs. Proper vehicle maintenance will reduce fuel consumption, surprise breakdowns, and downtime. Assets will take longer to depreciate and companies can make the most out of their investments. Fleet maintenance software enables commercial carriers to take care of their vehicles.
