Preventive maintenance for trucks is a big topic. Every truck will have its own servicing requirements, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
But there’s no need to be daunted – preventive maintenance is hugely beneficial to your business, and the team at Kel Stanton's Mobile Diesel Service can help you develop an effective servicing program.
In this article, we’ll learn how to make a truck preventive maintenance schedule, and why it’s worth the effort!
What is Preventive Truck Maintenance
Preventive truck maintenance is proactive servicing that’s designed to extend the lifespan of the vehicle and reduce the chance of breakdowns. It includes maintenance items like:
- Pre- and post-trip inspections
- Changing engine oil and filters
- Changing hydraulic oil, coolant and other fluids
- Inspecting hoses and hydraulic lines
- Inspecting air lines
- Changing tyres at regular intervals
- Testing the braking components
The idea is that your mechanic will perform these maintenance items at specified intervals (usually measured in distance travelled), rather than waiting for a component to fail.
Some of these maintenance items are included in regularly scheduled servicing. However, standard servicing appointments focus on maintenance items that are specified by the manufacturer, and they may not reflect the condition of the vehicle.
To avoid this, fleet managers develop preventive truck maintenance programs that are more effective for managing the condition of their equipment.
The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance
Preventive fleet maintenance is an investment. While it comes with upfront costs, the savings can be substantial across the life of each truck. Developing an effective maintenance schedule also provides the following benefits:
Improved Uptime
Reliable uptime counts for everything in fleet operations. You need to trust that your vehicles are ready for use whenever they’re needed. With preventive maintenance, you can reduce the likelihood of unexpected downtime and improve your overall efficiency.
Improved Safety
Keeping drivers safe is a top priority. Well-maintained vehicles are less prone to accidents, which helps to protect your workers.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
The fuel efficiency of vehicles decreases over time as components become worn or damaged. Preventive maintenance ensures each vehicle is maximising its fuel efficiency, which can substantially reduce your costs across an entire fleet.
Extended Equipment Lifespan
Operating a fleet is an expensive task. This is especially true if your equipment doesn’t live up to its expected lifespan. Regular maintenance can dramatically extend the lifespan of trucks and other diesel equipment, allowing you to maximise the use of each vehicle.
More Effective Maintenance Planning
Taking trucks off the road for maintenance can cost your business money. Preventive maintenance schedules can be planned to ensure you have the assets you need on the road at all times, reducing unexpected downtime and expenses.
Reduced Costs
The biggest benefit of preventive fleet maintenance is that it reduces your overall costs. Cost efficiencies come from reduced maintenance, reduced fuel expenses and better uptime.
How to Make a Truck Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Creating a preventive maintenance program is an involved task. You’ll need to work with a qualified mechanic to assess each of your assets and determine its condition. This process is time-consuming, but it will pay off in the long run.
Here’s our guide on how to make a truck preventive maintenance schedule:
Assess Your Fleet
The process begins by assessing the vehicles and equipment in your fleet.
You’ll need to perform a full inspection and gather any records of past servicing and repairs. Speak with the equipment manufacturers and obtain a copy of their recommended servicing schedule to help plan your preventive maintenance program.
You should also ensure that all vehicles have up-to-date HVRAS Certificates and COIs.
Create a Plan for Each Truck
Once you know the condition of your vehicles, you can design a preventive truck maintenance program to suit.
Every maintenance program is unique. The requirements vary for each vehicle, depending on factors like:
Vehicle age, condition and distance travelled
How the equipment is used (e.g. on-road transport vs industrial machinery)
The manufacturer’s recommendation
Previous damage and repairs (and whether these continue to affect the vehicle)
The condition of common failure points (such as tyres, brakes and airlines)
This should be done with input from your maintenance provider. They’ll be able to assess your vehicles and determine the best maintenance schedule.
Provide Training to Staff
Your drivers are the biggest asset when it comes to preventive maintenance. Because they operate fleet vehicles every day, they are the best source of information about the state of your trucks.
Staff can be trained to perform regular checks and provide information on the maintenance requirements of their vehicles. You can make these checks part of their normal duties and provide incentives to encourage active participation.
For example, if preventive maintenance saves you money, you may be able to provide bonuses to employees that regularly fill out maintenance reports.
Create Records for Each Asset
You’ll need some way to track the condition and maintenance requirements of each fleet asset. This can be done in dozens of ways, but most companies now use fleet management software.
Fleet management software allows you to input details about each of your vehicles. The software then tracks distance travelled and maintenance requirements, and can automatically schedule preventive maintenance appointments.
Partner with a Preventive Maintenance Provider
Maintaining a large fleet is a lot of work, especially if you have to send vehicles offsite for servicing.
The best way to manage this challenge is by partnering with a mobile diesel mechanic. Mobile mechanics can come to your site and provide any servicing, preventive maintenance or repairs you need.
This reduces the turnaround time on preventive maintenance and ensures you get the best value from your investment.
Get On Top of Preventive Truck Maintenance with Kel Stanton's Mobile Diesel Service!
It’s a big task to maintain an entire fleet. Whether you’re looking after one vehicle or dozens of trucks, preventive maintenance is the best way to improve the performance of your fleet.
Developing a preventive maintenance program can be a time-consuming task. If you’re looking for a bit of support, the technicians at Kel Stanton's Mobile Diesel Service are ready to help!
Kel Stanton's Mobile Diesel Service is a mobile diesel mechanic that works with fleets all over South East Queensland. Our fleet maintenance service is designed to simplify the process of maintaining your trucks, vehicles and other diesel equipment. We come to you and provide servicing onsite, minimising downtime and the cost to your business.
You can contact us online to find out more, or give us a call for a quote on fleet maintenance!