Reducing Vehicle and Fleet Maintenance Expenses—Get All the Answers
Reducing vehicle and fleet maintenance expenses is all about having a solid plan of action that prioritises regular, timely maintenance. You want to keep maintenance and regular servicing at the forefront to keep your vehicles moving and without expensive breakdowns.
Did you know that the Automobile Association (AA) discovered that over half of the country’s roads need serious structural repair? That’s about 60% of the roads that you or your fleet drivers are driving on every day, putting your personal or business vehicles at risk of mechanical problems!
Ease the pressure on your wallet and get all the lowdown on car and fleet maintenance costs right here!
1. How can you reduce fleet maintenance costs effectively?
You can reduce fleet maintenance costs effectively by using a fleet system, especially one that accurately monitors things like fuel use, driver behaviour, and labour hours. Labour and fuel are considered the highest fleet costs. Monitoring them means you can make changes to your business (supported by real data) that help you save!
2. What costs can you manage when it comes to vehicle maintenance?
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, you can manage these costs:
Reactive maintenance/breakdowns: Check that your vehicle is booked in for regular services or according to suggested timelines so that you’re not dealing with surprise breakdowns.
Mechanical and car part deterioration: Drive carefully and practise responsible habits. Actively doing this protects parts like your tyres and brakes.
Other parts: Save on parts and repair costs by going for a certified independent mechanic rather than going to your dealership. ALWAYS check that this doesn’t potentially void warranties.
3. How do you use data to reduce fleet maintenance costs?
You use data to reduce fleet maintenance costs by keeping track of factors like driver behaviour, optimising workflows, and taking advantage of predictive maintenance. This is with the help of telematics (and automation). Using these features offers benefits like less administrative stress and the prevention of extremely expensive incidents or breakdowns.
4. Should you follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule or make your own?
You should follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule but also consider making your own tweaks. Always stick to the recommended servicing time—for example, servicing your car every year—but also take into consideration ‘severe’ driving conditions. This is especially the case for fleet vehicles, some of which are subject to heavy loads, many stop-and-start trips in urban congestion, and other factors.
5. How does a fleet system assist with maintenance costs and management?
A fleet system assists with maintenance costs and management by using a combination of telematics and data to help you turn your fleet into a proactive one. A fleet system will be able to monitor things like vehicle health and diagnostics, flagging issues early on. This helps with scheduling preventative maintenance so you can prevent expensive breakdowns.
6. Does buying premium fuel or expensive oil additives actually save money on maintenance?
No, buying these products doesn't really save money on maintenance. You’re more likely to save when you treat your car the way the manufacturer intended, while continuing to practise safe driving habits. Generally speaking, the fuels and oils you use regularly are just fine, but you can use specialised brands to “spruce up” your car now and then.
7. Can I use this software to manage a mixed fleet of delivery vans, heavy trucks, and specialised equipment?
Yes, you can absolutely use this software to manage a mixed fleet of delivery vans, heavy trucks, and specialised equipment. Cartrack’s FleetWeb is designed to accommodate all kinds of fleets, including mixed ones. Cartrack prides itself on providing an all-encompassing platform that allows you to manage all your assets from one consolidated system.
8. Can Cartrack help me manage the maintenance of my specialised cooling units and trailers, or just the main vehicle engine?
Yes, Cartrack can help you manage the maintenance of your specialised cooling units and trailers, not just the main vehicle engine. Because we have specialised sensors for both cargo bays and trailers, as well as a consolidated fleet system, monitoring goes beyond just the vehicle itself.
9. Can the software help me minimise vehicle downtime so maintenance doesn't disrupt our daily delivery schedules?
Yes, the software can help you minimise vehicle downtime so there aren't any daily disruptions. Fortunately, Cartrack’s fleet software is equipped with smart features like reminders and proactive maintenance, so you can plan around service days without having to sacrifice valuable hours.
10. What are the most common variable costs in fleet management?
The most common variable costs in fleet management are:
Salaries and driver overtime
Fuel
Maintenance
Toll fees
These costs chop and change over time because there are other factors that influence them. For example, fuel is volatile and influenced by global tensions, which means it doesn’t stay the same.
11. What are the top maintenance tips you should have on your checklist?
Keeping detailed maintenance or car service records
Using approved quality parts for your vehicle/s
12. How does a well-maintained vehicle save on fuel costs?
A well-maintained vehicle saves on fuel costs by making sure your vehicle runs at its best, meaning that it’s not working harder than it needs to or using more fuel just to run. When you take care of the small problems, you carefully avoid expensive problems and breakdowns later on.
