Importance of fleet management systems in vehicle maintenance

Literally trust your senses

For a more practical approach, one of the best methods of knowing about and keeping track of your car is by checking the car brand’s manual, usually located in your vehicle’s glove box.

In a business setting, your drivers can check the fleet vehicle whenever they operate it and inform their managers before any further damage is done, after all, prevention is cheaper than cure.

If you a driver has enough experience driving fleets, they can simply use their senses to identify aspects that need maintenance and report these accordingly:

Smell

Foreign smells are not a good sign. It is important to monitor any mechanical smells coming from inside the vehicle, as these can be early warning signs of a mechanical or engine issue.

Some potential causes:

1. Moist smells could indicate that there are some leaking liquids, which can lead to bigger mechanical issues if not detected and resolved. Any leaking, whether moist smelling or not, is not a good sign. Quickly try to identify the source of the leak, which could be one of these liquids;
   
   

• Engine oil
• Antifreeze
• Transmission fluids
• Power steering fluid

To fix the damage, visit your local mechanic.

2. A range of smokey odours could be electrical. With this, it’s best to turn off the vehicle, open the bonnet, unplug the batteries, and call your local mechanic or get professional assistance immediately.
   
   
3. When the fuel tank venting becomes blocked or if there has been an overflow, fuel smells may appear.
   
   
4. If your engine smells like oil or exhaust fumes, this may be caused by:
   
   

• Too much engine oil
• Oil has grown old and is burning
• Overheated oil

‍Sound

Strange noises while driving frequently go unnoticed due to everyday background noises like traffic, radio, passengers, etc. If the vehicle is damaged, you will hear various squeaks, squeals, bangs, and rattles each time you drive.

1. Strange clicking while turning from the front wheels indicates that the front shaft is about to fall apart. Inform managers before it breaks off completely.
   
   
2. A fan-belt squeal might indicate the need for another. Replacing it is the safest option.
   
   
3. Rhythmic clicking while driving from the wheel could be the result of faulty bearings or, more likely, just large stones lodged in the tread pattern.
   
   
4. If you have been driving steadily for a while and notice a change in engine tone, your engine is likely overheating. Stopping or varying the engine speed should be enough if there is no severe problem. Otherwise, pull over to the side of the road and let the vehicle cool before checking the water and radiator levels.
   
   
5. Backfiring while driving normally indicates issues with the engine and might damage the car’s exhaust or intake. This needs to be thoroughly investigated. Reducing the speed, turning off the vehicle and immediately informing your fleet manager is the smart way to go.
   
   
6. Engine knocks indicate that a lower gear needs to be selected. If it keeps happening, you should reduce speed, stop and check your engine, oil and gear shafts as soon as possible.‍

How often should a business service its fleet?

How often is too often? Vehicle wear and tear can often build up over time, resulting in mechanical failures, so maintaining and looking after your fleet vehicle(s) regularly is highly recommended to avoid getting into an accident.

When should you service your vehicle? This will depend on a few factors, like its age, how far it is driven each day, the surfaces and quality of the roads and sites they drive on, and how often you maintain it.

Using your vehicle in poor operating conditions will also be a determining factor. These circumstances include risky driving at high speeds, frequent stopping and starting of the car, and towing of caravans and/or loaded trailers. A vehicle used in these circumstances might need more maintenance than one that is only driven short distances and doesn’t operate frequently.

The majority of vehicles also have a maintenance schedule, and different manufacturers may have different maintenance schedule requirements. These recommended service times and maintenance procedures may be found in the vehicle’s service book. 

In the world of transportation and logistics, you can’t always check on the status of every vehicle in your business. A fleet management system is often the answer for easy monitoring and tracking of fleet vehicles. The onboarded software can keep up with your business regardless of the fleet size and inform the manager of which vehicles require mechanical attention. ‍

Importance of fleet management systems in vehicle maintenance 

The purpose of a fleet management system is to assist with vehicle maintenance to ensure it is used efficiently so the lifespan of the vehicle can be maximised. 

Vehicle maintenance, unfortunately, comes with inevitable downtime. Because of this, fleet managers often work to find the balance between planning and managing vehicle maintenance. Fleet maintenance management software can help with this, efficiently managing downtime while reducing costs.

To keep your vehicles on the road for longer, your car requires regular love and care, so car owners must pay special attention to how they maintain their vehicles.