Whether you have a trucking company, a taxi business, or if you happen to deal with a fleet of vehicles, you should have a fleet maintenance program.
Unfortunately, fleet mainteance is not something that can be fully automated. For a solid programs you need a cadre of experienced technicians to keep at fleet running at it’s best. Today, we’re going to take a look at the un-sung heroes that keep our service trucks running.
Types Of Fleet Maintenance Workers
Properly maintained vehicles are more safe and efficient. With proper fleet maintenance, it is more likely for the business not to lose money. With fleet maintenance, there are 3 types of workers that make things possible and they are as follows:
Fleet Managers
The fleet managers are responsible for overseeing the entire fleet. They are responsible for creating the maintenance plans and making the schedule of the services needed by the vehicles. Fleet managers will see to it that the maintenance schedule of each vehicle is followed. They may not interact with the vehicles everyday but they make sure that they should be regularly checked.
Additionally, fleet managers will also deal with getting new vehicles and selling older ones. With this in mind, they have to make sure that the vehicles they manage retain as much value as possible. That is why it is also important for them to know the condition of each of the vehicles in the fleet.
As we’ve mentioned, the fleet managers are responsible for creating the maintenance program for the vehicles. They have to consider various factors in order to properly create a maintenance program that works for the fleet. Some car owners may only look at big ticket items. However, as fleet managers, they have to be detailed because every part, even if it is small is important. Some of those they include are the glass parts of the vehicles, tire servicing, oil, and many others.
Drivers
The drivers are those who are most likely to spend the most time with the vehicles. With that much time spent with the vehicles, they are most likely the ones who will notice when the vehicles aren’t performing well or if they suspect that something is wrong with them. They are responsible for catching any issues with the vehicles early on so that it can be immediately dealt with to prevent problems from worsening.
Most vehicles have built-in warning lights or signs that help drivers identify the possible issues. However, there are also some problems that drivers can notice even before the warning signs light up. Fleet managers should be informed about any problems or if they feel that the vehicles need to be checked.
Additionally, drivers are also responsible for carefully inspecting their vehicle before driving it. This is a good safety precaution not only for those who drive trucks but other vehicles as well. Proper inspection before leaving will help prevent getting broken down on the road unexpectedly.
Lastly, drivers also greatly impact the condition and value of the vehicles that they drive. Depending on their driving habits, they could be contributing to the fast deterioration of the vehicles or they could also be preventing it. Fleet owners should also consider educating their drivers on how to drive the vehicles properly.
Fleet Mechanics
The fleet mechanics could be working directly for the fleet or they could also be working for a company that supports the fleet. For those who have huge fleets, they could afford to hire a dedicated fleet mechanic. However, those who have smaller fleets could just contact a company that will be responsible for assigning a number of mechanics for the said fleet.
Fleet mechanics are responsible for conducting maintenance checks for each scheduled vehicle. They are also the ones who are going to repair or do any work needed by the vehicle. Additionally, fleet managers may also consult them as to how often fleet maintenance schedules should be.
In Summary
Fleet maintenance is not a one-man-job. Although fleet managers are responsible for creating the fleet maintenance programs, the drivers and the fleet mechanics still play an important role in fleet maintenance. They have to work with each other in order to follow the schedule and ensure that the vehicles are properly maintained. Communication amongst them is also very important. It helps all of them know exactly what is happening with the vehicles and if there are any issues that need to be resolved.