The Importance of a Maintenance Program

With varying makes, models, and conditions of vehicles out on the road, it can be time-consuming to manage your fleet’s maintenance efficiently. Many fleets rely on an experienced partner to create a streamlined approach to managing their drivers’ needs to keep operations running smoothly. Learn why your fleet should consider implementing a strategic maintenance program and the impact it can have on your overall bottom line and operation.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

The mindset of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” may apply to many things but shouldn’t to vehicles. Vehicles are composed of hundreds of parts that perform various critical functions designed to keep you safe and moving. With regular wear and tear, these parts decay and break down, resulting in costly repair bills and hours of lost productivity. 

Forgoing proactive maintenance may save you money upfront, but the price you will pay in lost time and productivity from your employees will far outweigh those perceived savings. Because of this, it is crucial to follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle’s particular make and model. A regularly maintained vehicle will run more efficiently, reduce fuel costs, and save you hundreds of dollars. 

Having a well-maintained vehicle is having a reliable vehicle.  

Driver Satisfaction

No one enjoys being stranded on the side of the road with a disabled vehicle or constantly having to visit the mechanic to fix issues, especially not your driver hired to perform a specific job with the promise of a properly functioning car. Constant maintenance issues may cause driver dissatisfaction, ultimately leaving them to seek opportunities with competitors. 

A happy driver is a loyal employee. A maintenance program will help keep your drivers on the road and out of the repair facility.

Safety

A maintenance schedule not only keeps your drivers content, but it keeps them safe.

Depending on the circumstances, mechanical failures can create dangerous situations for drivers. Imagine your driver being stranded in the middle of a busy street or blowing out a balding tire at highway speeds. These situations are incredibly unsafe for all involved. 

Liability

Commercial vehicle accidents can be a massive liability for businesses. 

When an accident occurs, one of the first things a lawyer will do is dive into your company’s safety and maintenance records. Without an established plan, your company could be responsible for large settlement amounts and legal fees. In 2012, a jury ordered Domino’s Pizza to pay out $32,000,000 to settle a lawsuit regarding a delivery driver with balding tires who was involved in a collision that left a man with permanent brain damage. 

An iron-clad maintenance plan can save your company from this very scenario and other equally serious situations.

Outsourcing Makes it Easy

If implementing a maintenance plan seems like an overwhelming task and you aren’t sure where to start- there’s good news. 

Motorlease has been assisting fleets in implementing comprehensive maintenance plans for over 75 years. We can structure and design a custom plan for your fleet that removes the stress of organizing and maintaining a fleet while providing the best service for your drivers.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your fleet.

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