For anyone in charge of a fleet of vehicles, maintenance is a crucial factor in upholding their value and performance. Primarily when the fleet is located in dry or desert conditions, this must be a critical focus of the fleet manager. In today’s blog, CoachWest will offer some tips.
Dry Heat Damage
Dry conditions don’t only have adverse effects on people, but vehicles too. While it might not be immediately apparent, repeated exposure to harsh elements might cause damage over time. Dry heat can cause the inside of your car to heat to extreme temperatures. This will cause the leather seats to dry or crack, the adhesives used to lose their grip, and all plastic shifting or molding. Outside of the car, heat can cause your tires to overheat and dry rot. This means that they will lose moisture and become brittle over time, rendering them more susceptible to breaking. Of course, this doesn’t cover all of the issues heat can cause under the hood.
Preventative Maintenance
This is why preventative maintenance is so essential in places with hot and dry climates. Preventive Maintenance (PM) consists of scheduled services, inspections, and vehicle repairs to prevent potential problems and maximize vehicle availability. It’s used in vehicle management to avoid or mitigate vehicle breakdowns proactively. Deciding when and how to do this is based on time, mileage, engine time, or gallons of fuel used. Preventive maintenance measures include vehicle inspection, lubrication, adjustment, cleaning, testing, repair, and replacement of worn parts.
Why should fleet managers be interested in preventive maintenance? To maximize the availability of vehicles, you must run PM services on a scheduled basis. The lack of regular preventive care will significantly reduce the life of your car. In addition, some vehicles are vulnerable to excessive breakdowns that require expensive repairs, and if unexpected and most necessary, vehicle service may be interrupted. The vehicle may not be safe due to a lack of PM. Proper maintenance also helps prevent negligent proceedings.
Effective PM programs include a list of preventive maintenance and safety item tasks. Resolve the following issues during routine preventative maintenance services: Engine oil and filter changes; Transmission fluids; Fuel systems; Cooling systems; Engines and transmission mounts; Driveshafts or CV joints; Belts and hoses; Tune-ups; Electrical system components; Brake systems; Steering and suspension systems. Tires, wheels, and rims; Exhaust systems; Chassis and frame; External and internal lighting; Body, glass, mirrors, wiper systems. Corners; seat belts and seat structures; fluid leaks; and auxiliary systems.
If you implement all of these steps effectively, your fleet will have the longest possible lifespan. This means more availability to customers and more miles on the road, which is what we all want at the end of the day.
Executive Bus Tips by CoachWest
CoachWest understands the need to take care of your fleet of executive buses. Are you looking for an addition to your fleet? Need maintenance? Contact us online or call (310) 609-2900, and let’s talk!
