Extended Service Lives for Fleet Vehicles

Any business owner or fleet manager knows the importance of keeping vehicles in top condition as not doing so can generate unexpected expenses and failures in internal planning or operations.

With the recent difficulty in obtaining new replacement vehicles caused by delays in the manufacturing, a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the life of service units is now a necessary solution.

For this reason, we’d like to share some tips to keep your fleet of vehicles in proper working order, making your operation profitable, by reducing the risk of issues due to vehicle failures or technical problems.

The BDS team of experts recommends paying special attention to:

Tires

It is recommended to carry out a periodic inspection of the tires, looking at the tread and any imperfections. The pressure must also be verified according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

An important fact is that all tires have a built-in marker in their bands that indicates the maximum use that can be given to them, ensuring a minimum safety range. Although the range of use depends on many variables such as the type of roads travelled or the pressure put on them. In the case of fleet vehicles it can be less than 60,000 kilometres.

Brakes

The braking pressure is greater when dealing with vehicles that are usually loaded, a factor that affects brake wear, proportionally reducing their useful life. For this reason, it is recommended to apply engine braking techniques that help extend the duration and not overload the vehicles.

Strange noises 

If an erratic operation is perceived with increasing noises and squeaks, it could alert in an abnormal condition. Likewise, you have to be attentive to the height conditions of the brake pedal. If this is lower every day, you should urgently go for a review. And don’t forget to check the level of the brake fluid.

Regular maintenance

As obvious as it may seem, being diligent with the frequency of maintenance is vital for the life of vehicles. Although the recommendations vary according to the manufacturer and according to the use that is given to it – since the usage on the road is not the same as one in the city or delivery work – it is suggested to carry out maintenance every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres.

Lubricants 

Lubricants are responsible for reducing friction between two metal surfaces and protecting the mechanical parts from wear and corrosion. They also allow extending the useful life of the lubricated components. However, it is common for people not to respect the maintenance guidelines scheduled by the manufacturer and the specifications required for lubricants and coolants, which can be detrimental to the life of the vehicle.

In addition, oil drain intervals can be extended with high-performance products, but it is something that must be done with professional technical support and using oil analysis in specialised laboratories that allow the conditions of the lubricant to be controlled and determine when it has lost its properties. Its change can be programmed according to the condition and extend its useful life without damaging the components. Our call is to rigorously follow the maintenance guidelines and the specifications required for these elements by the manufacturer in order to extend the useful life of the vehicle to the maximum.

Carrying out all these maintenance or revisions will allow your fleet to:

• Increase engine life.
• Ensuring the safety of drivers and vehicles.
• Avoid downtime.
• Reduce repair costs.
• Save significantly on fuel.

Fleet vehicles due to their function and exhaustive use, tend to be exposed to higher workloads than passenger vehicles. This is why it is imperative to keep them in good condition by periodically reviewing the key elements for their operation.

At BDS, we have the equipment and staff to support you in this type of work. Contact us!

☎️ (416) 757-5671

📧 service@bdsfleet.ca

🌐 www.bdsfleet.com/contact

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