Spring is here and it’s time to do some spring cleaning on your fleet vehicles to get them ready for summer. It always important to properly maintain your fleet because preventative maintenance is cheaper than fixing vehicles after they are broken due to equipment cost, labor cost, and vehicle downtime. Here is a quick maintenance checklist that will help you get your fleet vehicles ready for summer.
- Check your tires. Tire pressure changes with temperature (roughly 1 to 2 psi per 10 degree change in temperature). Under-inflated tires can cause a decrease in gas mileage and over inflated tires can be a safety hazard.
- Change your oil and oil filter. Always change your oil at the manufacturer recommended intervals. This will keep your vehicles’ protected and running as smooth as possible.
- Wash your vehicles. It’s always good to keep your vehicles clean especially if you operate in snowy climates where they use road salt to melt snow. Salt can eat away at the metal parts of your vehicles such as the frame, drive shaft, etc.. A clean fleet will not only last longer, it will also give your company a cleaner presence on the road.
- Check hoses and belts. The hotter temperatures of summer will expose any problems that may exist in your cooling system. It is important to replace all hoses and belts that may be leaking or cracked so your vehicles don’t overheat on the road.
- Check the coolant. Make sure the radiator and coolant reservoir are filled to the recommended levels with the correct engine coolant. This will prevent your vehicles from overheating.
- Recharge you air conditioning. Check to see if your AC is working. If not, get it recharged so your drivers can stay comfortable during the higher temperatures of summer.