Why Preventative Fleet Maintenance Is Important

Preventative fleet maintenance leads to overall improvement in fleet efficiency. Here’s how.

Nothing bursts a bubble quite like unexpected expenses. Breakdowns and excessive downtime can be major budget busters and really ruin a bottom line. But fear not, because there’s a proactive solution that can save you time, money, and headaches: preventative fleet maintenance. 

Costs of Maintenance on the Rise 

Did you know that the average cost of maintenance per hour for vehicles increased from $7.04 to $7.89 in just a year? That’s a significant jump! And for every $10 spent on operating a vehicle, a whopping $9 goes into maintenance. Skipping regular maintenance might seem like a short-term cost saver, but it could end up costing you an extra $100 or more per emergency visit to the repair shop. 

So, what can a fleet manager do to combat the ever-increasing costs of maintenance? We’ll give you a hint: the answer is not skipping out on routine check-ups. Staying on top of fleet maintenance and taking the proactive approach will cut costs in the long run and make your fleet more efficient. 

Fuel Efficiency: The Payoff of Proactive Maintenance 

Preventive maintenance isn’t just about keeping your vehicles running; it’s about keeping them running efficiently. By staying on top of routine inspections and tune-ups, you can optimize fuel efficiency and reduce fuel costs over time. Regular inspections and tune-ups help ensure that engines are running smoothly, minimizing fuel consumption and maximizing mileage per gallon.  

Well-maintained vehicles allow fleet managers to optimize their fuel efficiency by making sure any fuel-related issues are addressed early. Additionally, issues such as worn-out tires, dirty air filters, or malfunctioning sensors can directly impact fuel efficiency, as these can increase drag and force the engine to work harder, leading to higher fuel consumption. 

Reports showed that downtime costs as much as $760 a day in 2020. Avoiding that cost will come from proactive, preventive maintenance, leading to a healthier vehicle and better fuel efficiency. 

Get Ahead of the Curve: Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance 

The opposite of fleet preventive maintenance is reactive maintenance. This approach might seem cheaper upfront, but it leads to more frequent breakdowns, poor performance, and higher repair costs in the long run. Preventive maintenance, on the other hand, keeps your vehicles in top shape, saving you money and headaches down the road. 

Keeping a maintenance checklist that addresses typical vehicle maintenance needs can help fleet managers stay on track with their trucks, trailers, and vans. This maintenance checklist would include regular inspections, like air filters, oil changes, engine systems, tires, hoses, wipers, and more. 

Keeping vehicles up to date with preventive maintenance is kind of like keeping a puppy up to date on his shots. It might cost a smaller fee, but it’s much cheaper than an emergency vet visit. Keeping a checklist and preventive maintenance schedules are bound to make your life easier – and GPS Insight can help.

Staying Ahead with GPS Insight 

With GPS Insight field service management software (FSM), you’ll never have to worry about housekeeping again. We keep all your fleet needs on one platform for your convenience, allowing you to access your maintenance schedule and upcoming inspections with ease. With GPS Insight, you can lower your risk of breakdowns by making cost-effective decisions on proper maintenance for your vehicles. 

At GPS Insight, maintenance equals efficiency. Creating your own preventive maintenance program by participating in maintenance management will ensure your fleet is successful in efficiency and productivity. For GPS Insight customers, a maintenance plan is key to bringing down those annual maintenance costs and vehicle repairs. With GPS Insight, fleet management becomes as easy as a swipe. Our fleet management software streamlines your fleet operations by scheduling routine maintenance and keeping an eye on your vehicles, drivers, and work orders in real-time.    

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Maximizing Efficiency with GPS Insight 

GPS Insight doesn’t just help you meet your key performance indicators (KPIs)—we help you surpass them. By prioritizing preventive maintenance and implementing proactive measures, you can optimize fuel efficiency, minimize downtime, and maximize productivity and profitability. 

With GPS Insight, you can lower your overall operational costs with our fleet maintenance software and stay on top of your maintenance tasks and proactive vehicle inspections. The cherry on top? You can maintain full visibility of your fleet both inside and outside of the cab with our Driveri dash cams and GPS tracking solution.