Indicators That It’s Time For Fleet Maintenance

Maintenance is one of the most critical aspects of fleet business. It is pivotal in allocating the direction of operations. Companies use modern fleet management systems to cater to their service and repair needs. Despite all the efforts, the fleet tends to wear and tear with time, causing a dilemma. By keeping a close eye on its condition, you can have a timely idea about the maintenance needs. 

Being aware of the exact requirement of your vehicle is a pretty rare art. However, by noticing the subtle changes in its working and appearance, you can maintain them on time. Let us discuss the different signs that indicate the maintenance needs.

Oil Leak:

An oil leak is one of the most prominent signs telling you to maintain your car. It can cause havoc for the engine as it means deprivation of lubricant. When the engine runs dry for a considerable amount of time, it is likely to wear and tear. Therefore, it is essential to monitor any fluids coming out of your car to cater to the problem before it gets out of hand. Getting a professional onboard immediately to analyze the leaks can be helpful in damage control.

Knocking Sounds:

The knocking sounds are usually caused due to friction caused between different moving parts. When the bearings collide with one another, they tend to lose their momentum, causing a drop in the RPM. The drivers have to keep strict monitoring of any unusual sounds coming from the vehicle. It helps to spot any mechanical glitches immediately, helping in their cost-effective repair.

Frequent Breakdowns:

The frequent vehicle breakdowns during logistics operations are an invitation for disaster. It indicates that the automobiles are in their adverse form, causing them to malfunction. With the increase in their downtime, the operations can face halts that can disrupt the working. It can result in a lot of monetary loss for a business. 

So, it is essential to ensure that every part of the vehicle is functioning efficiently. Keeping an organized maintenance schedule of different aspects can help provide that. As a manager, you will have a cushion of time to make arrangements for service and repair.

Exhaust Smoke:

The exhaust smoke is also a sign suggesting an underlying engine defect. It usually means a leakage inside the engine. A technical person can determine the cause by looking at the smoke’s color. Blue color indicates the oil burning, white smoke is burning coolant, and black color is for excessive gasoline burning. With the help of modern fleet management systems and engine diagnostics, you can quickly identify the root cause of the smoke. 

Read Also: How Does A GPS Tracking System Work?

Check Engine Sign:

The check engine light is a sign of a car telling you about a maintenance need. When the computer diagnoses an issue in vehicles with electronically controlled systems, it displays the check engine light. Although there could be many reasons for the check engine light, some of the common ones are as follows:

• Loose gas cap
• Fault in the catalytic converter
• Bad oxygen sensor
• Airflow filter issue
• An issue in Spark plugs

In modern vehicles, the check engine light helps in preventive maintenance. Therefore, you do not have to panic straight away after seeing this light; instead, find a suitable time for consulting a mechanic. You should not delay the maintenance a lot as it can eventually result in extensive problems and more expenses. 

A Decline in Performance:

A healthy automobile shows optimum performance in terms of driving and fuel efficiency. If there is an increase in fuel consumption or the driving is not comfortable as before, you need to seek professional help. Although people tend to ignore such subtle changes in the car’s behavior, they could indicate a significant maintenance issue. For example, issues in sensors, malfunctioning spark plugs, or other mechanical problems. 

The decline in performance can be a disaster for fleet operations as it can cost monetary loss. However, with the help of the latest fleet management systems, the managers can gauge fuel consumption and other performance indicators. It helps to identify any strange behavior ensuring that it gets fixed as quickly as possible.

Maintenance is something that needs a lot of attention while dealing with fleet management. All the precautionary measures should be taken beforehand to enable timely maintenance and reduce downtime. As a manager, the guidelines mentioned above will be helpful for you to anticipate service and repair needs.