When you make an investment in any equipment for your business, you expect to get value from that investment which exceeds the cost of the equipment. The longer this equipment lasts, the more value can be extracted from it. A fleet of vehicles to support your business is often a massive investment – one that you’ll want to last as long as possible. All vehicles require some forms of maintenance, and while you likely maintain your personal car regularly, fleet vehicles typically live a much harder life than private cars. Because of the higher demands on fleets, more frequent maintenance is required for them to last, and pre-scheduling most of that maintenance can help.

Here are a few reasons you should be scheduling fleet maintenance ahead of time.

1. Reduce downtime

Waiting for component failure ensures that the vehicle you need will be out of service precisely when you need it, meaning you have to pay for a rental or deal with reduced productivity. Regularly scheduled vehicle inspections can identify issues before they become inconveniences, leaving a vehicle out of rotation. Spotting problems BEFORE they occur means that you can order parts or contract service to fix the issue on YOUR time.

2. Prevent future problems

Ignoring regular maintenance like oil changes, transmission fluid flushes, and brake pad replacement can lead to more serious and expensive problems in the future. Wearing brake pads down to the backing plate will score brake rotors beyond repair, and failure to change engine oil can result in viscosity changes due to additive breakdown, meaning the oil could become too thick or too thin for your motor. By scheduling these services, you ensure that maintenance costs are as low as possible and help prevent catastrophic failure in the future.

3. Increase efficiency and save money

Neglecting to regularly replace filters or replenish fluids can lead to less efficient vehicles. Using a dirty air filter can choke out a motor, resulting in reduced power and decreased fuel efficiency. Failure to replace engine oil filters at scheduled intervals can impede oil flow, making it harder for oil reach the areas it should be lubricating, causing increased friction which results in reduced overall engine efficiency. Today, every company is striving to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce costs. These goals can be achieved simultaneously with scheduled maintenance.

4. Reduce liability and increase safety

Bald tires have significantly less traction, and worn-out brakes can reduce stopping power significantly. Combine the two and you’ve made it very difficult for your driver to avoid an accident if the need arises. A worn ball joint would be obvious upon inspection, but could easily go unnoticed day to day, and when it fails it can cause the front wheel to fold under a vehicle at speed. Vehicles will always have unexpected failures or needs, but scheduling maintenance is the most efficient way to identify and resolve most vehicle needs before they become critical. Fleet management software like Morse Watchmans’ KeyWatcher Fleet can help keep your vehicles on a tight service schedule, so you can get the most from your investment.