{"id":11733,"date":"2023-12-28T20:42:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T03:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=11733"},"modified":"2024-06-25T13:46:09","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T20:46:09","slug":"fleet-vehicle-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/fleet-vehicle-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Fleet Vehicle Maintenance: What Is It, Benefits &#038; Best Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your business vehicle breaks down, how long does it take you to get it fixed? Regular fleet vehicle maintenance could have avoided costly repairs (and costly business downtime).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine you&rsquo;re running a car rental business <em>(whether through <a href=\"https:\/\/turo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Turo<\/a> or other platforms)<\/em>; <strong>a car in the shop means one less customer served.<\/strong> Had you stayed up-to-date on that vehicle&rsquo;s maintenance schedule, you could have formed a relationship with a<em> life-long<\/em> customer. Now that driver will take their business to a car rental company with a more finetuned fleet vehicle maintenance plan. <em>Would&rsquo;ve, should&rsquo;ve, could&rsquo;ve. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we&rsquo;ll discuss the benefits of fleet maintenance systems and how to set one up (we&rsquo;ll even offer tips on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\">find reliable fleet parking<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img  decoding=\"async\"  width=\"1024\"  height=\"254\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABAAAAAD+AQMAAACeBOW6AAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADZJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAuwF\/\/gABQoP+oAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\"  alt=\"\"  class=\"wp-image-11736 pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1024x254.jpg\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1024x254.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--300x75.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--768x191.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1536x382.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--380x94.jpg 380w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--550x137.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--800x199.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1160x288.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--760x189.jpg 760w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1100x273.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--1600x398.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text--600x149.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fleet-maintenance-in-text-.jpg 2000w\" ><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-fleet-vehicle-maintenance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Fleet Vehicle Maintenance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fleet vehicle maintenance is a comprehensive process that <strong>ensures the safety and optimal performance of all vehicles<\/strong> within a fleet <em>(<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/ncua.gov\/regulation-supervision\/legal-opinions\/2012\/definition-fleet#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20a%20number%20of,five%20vehicles%20constitutes%20a%20fleet.\" target=\"_blank\"><em>a minimum of five vehicles<\/em><\/a><em>)<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper fleet maintenance not only facilitates effective operations but also assists in preventing unsafe conditions, mitigating costly litigation due to negligence, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fleet maintenance management programs can <strong>look different depending on your type of business<\/strong>. For example, commercial trucking equipment has higher maintenance costs than rental cars, so your fleet maintenance will require more time and\/or resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&rsquo;s important to note that your <strong>fleet management practices will change based on the type and number of vehicles in your fleet<\/strong>, as well as the<strong> make, model, or age of the vehicles<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<html><body><div id=\"in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'first in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"first-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <header>\r\n      <h2 id=\"how-neighbor-is-changing-fleet-parking\">How Neighbor is changing fleet parking<\/h2>\r\n    <\/header>\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M13.125 9.375C11.0539 9.375 9.375 11.0539 9.375 13.125V46.875C9.375 48.9461 11.0539 50.625 13.125 50.625H46.875C48.9461 50.625 50.625 48.9461 50.625 46.875V13.125C50.625 11.0539 48.9461 9.375 46.875 9.375H13.125ZM28.125 16.875C28.125 15.8395 28.9645 15 30 15C31.0355 15 31.875 15.8395 31.875 16.875V20.625H35.625C36.6605 20.625 37.5 21.4645 37.5 22.5C37.5 23.5355 36.6605 24.375 35.625 24.375H26.25C25.2145 24.375 24.375 25.2145 24.375 26.25C24.375 27.2855 25.2145 28.125 26.25 28.125H33.75C36.8566 28.125 39.375 30.6434 39.375 33.75C39.375 36.8566 36.8566 39.375 33.75 39.375H31.875V43.125C31.875 44.1605 31.0355 45 30 45C28.9645 45 28.125 44.1605 28.125 43.125V39.375H22.5C21.4645 39.375 20.625 38.5355 20.625 37.5C20.625 36.4645 21.4645 35.625 22.5 35.625H33.75C34.7855 35.625 35.625 34.7855 35.625 33.75C35.625 32.7145 34.7855 31.875 33.75 31.875H26.25C23.1434 31.875 20.625 29.3566 20.625 26.25C20.625 23.1434 23.1434 20.625 26.25 20.625H28.125V16.875Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"transparent-monthly-savings\">Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Save thousands of dollars on commercial vehicle fleet parking.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"61\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 61\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M31.2776 52.4974L31.7666 52.0417C32.0789 51.7503 32.527 51.3317 33.0706 50.8224C34.1576 49.8041 35.6276 48.4224 37.158 46.9698C40.1682 44.1127 43.5576 40.8461 44.596 39.6282C46.7163 37.1414 48.1719 34.1468 48.8127 30.9251C49.5529 27.204 49.173 23.347 47.7211 19.8418C46.2692 16.3366 43.8105 13.3407 40.6559 11.2329C37.5015 9.12514 33.7942 8 30.0001 8C26.2061 8 22.4973 9.12504 19.3428 11.2329C16.1882 13.3407 13.7295 16.3366 12.2776 19.8418C10.8257 23.347 10.4458 27.204 11.186 30.9251C11.8268 34.1468 13.2824 37.1414 15.4027 39.6282C16.4411 40.8462 19.831 44.1128 22.8415 46.9698C24.3721 48.4224 25.8422 49.8042 26.9294 50.8225C27.4731 51.3318 27.9212 51.7504 28.2336 52.0418L28.723 52.4979C29.4428 53.1672 30.5579 53.1668 31.2776 52.4974ZM28.723 52.4979C28.723 52.4979 28.7232 52.498 30.0001 51.125L28.723 52.4979ZM30.0001 51.125L31.2776 52.4974C31.2776 52.4974 31.2771 52.4979 30.0001 51.125ZM30 33.3125C33.6243 33.3125 36.5625 30.3744 36.5625 26.75C36.5625 23.1256 33.6243 20.1875 30 20.1875C26.3756 20.1875 23.4375 23.1256 23.4375 26.75C23.4375 30.3744 26.3756 33.3125 30 33.3125Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"keep-your-fleet-nearby\">Keep your fleet nearby<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Find on and off-market property owners nationwide.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M30 7.5C25.5499 7.5 21.1998 8.8196 17.4997 11.2919C13.7996 13.7643 10.9157 17.2783 9.21272 21.3896C7.50975 25.501 7.06417 30.025 7.93234 34.3895C8.80051 38.7541 10.9434 42.7632 14.0901 45.9099C17.2368 49.0566 21.2459 51.1995 25.6105 52.0677C29.975 52.9358 34.4991 52.4903 38.6104 50.7873C42.7217 49.0843 46.2357 46.2004 48.7081 42.5003C51.1804 38.8002 52.5 34.4501 52.5 30C52.5 24.0326 50.1295 18.3097 45.9099 14.0901C41.6903 9.87053 35.9674 7.5 30 7.5ZM41.5295 26.7545C42.7193 25.5646 42.7193 23.6354 41.5295 22.4455C40.3396 21.2556 38.4104 21.2556 37.2205 22.4455L26.7061 32.96L22.7795 29.0334C21.5896 27.8435 19.6604 27.8435 18.4705 29.0334C17.2807 30.2232 17.2807 32.1524 18.4705 33.3423L24.5516 39.4234C25.123 39.9948 25.898 40.3158 26.7061 40.3158C27.5142 40.3158 28.2891 39.9948 28.8605 39.4234L41.5295 26.7545Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"parking-made-simple\">Parking made simple<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <footer>\r\n      <button>Learn more <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"25\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 25 24\" fill=\"none\">\r\n          <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M11 2.90625C9.4981 2.90625 8.02993 3.35162 6.78114 4.18603C5.53236 5.02044 4.55905 6.20642 3.98429 7.594C3.40954 8.98157 3.25916 10.5084 3.55217 11.9815C3.84517 13.4545 4.56841 14.8076 5.63041 15.8696C6.69242 16.9316 8.04549 17.6548 9.51854 17.9478C10.9916 18.2408 12.5184 18.0905 13.906 17.5157C14.4508 17.29 14.9646 17.0029 15.4382 16.6618L19.5132 20.7368C19.9892 21.2127 20.7608 21.2127 21.2368 20.7368C21.7127 20.2608 21.7127 19.4892 21.2368 19.0132L17.1618 14.9382C17.2137 14.8661 17.2645 14.793 17.314 14.7189C18.1484 13.4701 18.5938 12.0019 18.5938 10.5C18.5938 8.48601 17.7937 6.55451 16.3696 5.13041C14.9455 3.7063 13.014 2.90625 11 2.90625ZM14.7493 14.0398C14.9463 13.8311 15.1264 13.6054 15.2873 13.3647C15.8538 12.5167 16.1562 11.5198 16.1562 10.5C16.1562 9.13248 15.613 7.82096 14.646 6.85398C13.679 5.887 12.3675 5.34375 11 5.34375C9.98019 5.34375 8.98328 5.64616 8.13534 6.21273C7.2874 6.77931 6.62651 7.58461 6.23625 8.52679C5.84599 9.46897 5.74387 10.5057 5.94283 11.5059C6.14178 12.5061 6.63287 13.4249 7.35398 14.146C8.0751 14.8671 8.99385 15.3582 9.99407 15.5572C10.9943 15.7561 12.031 15.654 12.9732 15.2638C13.5557 15.0225 14.086 14.6777 14.5398 14.2493C14.5699 14.2108 14.6028 14.1737 14.6382 14.1382C14.6737 14.1028 14.7108 14.0699 14.7493 14.0398Z\" fill=\"#EFF5F8\"><\/path>\r\n        <\/svg>\r\n      <\/button>\r\n    <\/footer>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"benefits-of-fleet-management\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of Fleet Management<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many businesses, the vehicle fleet is an integral part of how the business makes money. Whether you&rsquo;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/popular-types-of-small-business\/\">delivering products or driving to service locations<\/a>, the fleet is like a taxi for your profits. And when your fleet isn&rsquo;t operational&ndash;or up to par&ndash;you can end up losing a lot of business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/what-is-fleet-management\/\">Fleet management<\/a> and fleet maintenance are key to keeping your business running smoothly. A top-notch fleet management program can give your business an edge by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increasing the<strong> longevity of your vehicles<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimizing depreciation of assets<\/strong> and maintaining an acceptable resale value<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improving <strong>workplace safety<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reducing malfunction-related down-time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In order to get the most out of your vehicle line-up, you need to come up with a fleet management plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"crafting-an-effective-fleet-maintenance-program\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crafting an Effective Fleet Maintenance Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An effective fleet maintenance program is an orchestra of different components working in harmony. To get started with a fleet management program, consider these elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Designate a fleet manager<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a preventive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doforms.com\/commercial-vehicle-maintenance-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\">maintenance checklist<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schedule inspections to remain compliant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare for repairs or corrective maintenance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage your fleet with integrated software<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-1-designate-a-fleet-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #1: Designate a Fleet Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper fleet maintenance management is crucial; however, failing to maintain vehicles properly can lead to severe legal and safety repercussions. That&rsquo;s why designating a fleet manager is the first step to improving your vehicle program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A fleet manager oversees all commercial vehicles, drivers, and related assets, ensuring their safe and cost-effective utilization in compliance with internal and external policies. Some duties include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Creation and oversight of fleet safety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Budgeting for repairs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/buying-a-car-for-business\/\">vehicle procurement<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintenance program management, safety and compliance, and coordinating repairs\/inspections.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implementing preventative maintenance and real-time tracking, automating data entry systems, and collaborating with reliable vendors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-2-utilize-fleet-management-software\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #2: Utilize Fleet Management Software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A designated manager can take your fleet maintenance to the next level, but proper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/advisor\/business\/benefits-of-fleet-management\/\" target=\"_blank\">fleet management software<\/a> is also critical for efficient day-to-day processes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automating fleet operations helps to streamline the maintenance process, minimize human error, and enhance overall operational efficiency. Fleet management software offers a variety of automation functionalities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Telematics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic logging devices (ELDs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Route optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Auto Dispatch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Real-time GPS vehicle tracking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fuel management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Driver performance monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While these systems are helpful for managing a large fleet, what really makes the difference is a routine maintenance schedule that&rsquo;s enforced with automated alerts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"tip-3-incorporate-maintenance-alerts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #3: Incorporate Maintenance Alerts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintenance alerts are like the alarm clock of your fleet maintenance program. They serve as <strong>notifications to inform fleet managers or vehicle owners about upcoming or overdue maintenance tasks<\/strong>, ensuring vehicles are serviced on time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Automated data collection from the GPS and performance metrics can help determine a vehicle&rsquo;s maintenance schedule<\/strong>, and inform the subsequent parties ahead of time. These processes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Monitor vehicle health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send alerts for component issues or vehicle recalls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up service reminders based on vehicle usage metrics such as hour intervals or odometer readings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-4-prioritize-preventative-maintenance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #4: Prioritize Preventative Maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preventative maintenance is the unsung hero of fleet vehicle longevity. It encompasses <strong>scheduled servicing, inspections, and vehicle repairs<\/strong> aimed at averting potential issues and optimizing vehicle availability. By tackling issues before they occur, fleet managers can reduce vehicle downtime and minimize the likelihood of accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fleet manager should <strong>set preventive maintenance intervals for each vehicle<\/strong>, which are often contingent on <strong>when a vehicle reaches a certain mileage, level of fuel usage, number of operating hours, or engine hours<\/strong>. At these intervals, fleet vehicles should undergo the regular maintenance activities laid out in the fleet preventive maintenance program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"creating-a-preventive-maintenance-service-checklist\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creating a Preventive Maintenance Service Checklist<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A preventive maintenance checklist is like a roadmap for maintaining the health of your fleet vehicles. The key components of this checklist include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Changing engine oil and filters every 3,000 miles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Checking tire pressure, wear, and rotating tires as needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjusting wheel alignment&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inspecting and changing air and cabin air filters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topping up fluids (windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, power steering, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inspecting and testing brakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replacing windshield wipers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performing a full vehicle inspection for any imminent issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your checklist might contain other elements depending on the kind of vehicles in your fleet. For instance, <strong>large 18-wheelers or diesel vehicles require <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cloudtrucks.com\/blog-post\/preventative-maintenance-schedule-checklist\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>additional maintenance<\/strong><\/a>, so be sure to talk with your service manager about what preventive measures should be added to the checklist.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-5-schedule-routine-inspections\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #5: Schedule Routine Inspections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the state your business operates out of, you&rsquo;ll have to comply with your home state&rsquo;s Department of Motor Vehicle inspection standards. <em>This might involve having your fleet vehicles inspected by a third-party service provider once a year or every other year<\/em>. In other cases, you may be able to enlist an in-house service member who&rsquo;s certified to perform vehicle inspections, which can drastically reduce wait time and cost for compliance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you manage a fleet of large transportation trucks, you&rsquo;ll also need to be aware of the federal Department of Transportation inspection standards. There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cvsa.org\/inspections\/all-inspection-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\">eight levels to a DOT inspection<\/a>, and it&rsquo;s important to keep your drivers up to date on the best practices for handling expected&ndash;or unexpected&ndash;inspections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To reduce costly downtime, it&rsquo;s important to schedule inspections as far in advance as possible so you can factor those dates into your business plan.<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/what-to-do-when-business-is-slow\/\"><strong>Scheduling inspections during historically slow periods for your business<\/strong><\/a> is the best way to reduce operational costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-6-prepare-for-corrective-maintenance-before-its-necessary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #6: Prepare for Corrective Maintenance (Before It&rsquo;s Necessary)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&rsquo;s only so much preventative maintenance you can perform to keep your fleet in tip-top shape; sometimes, you need to make corrective repairs after a vehicle breakdown or an accident.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that case, it&rsquo;s important to have a plan in place for how to perform corrective maintenance without wasting time or resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some things this corrective maintenance plan should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A list of approved service providers that can work on your vehicle (general mechanics, collision specialists, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A list of parts suppliers that can provide expedited shipping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional vehicles or contractors to pick up the slack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Driver debrief in the event of an accident<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the corrective maintenance plan, it might also be helpful for you to have a stock of frequently used parts for your fleet. Keeping things like <strong>brake pads, rotors, or spare tires in a warehouse or local storage solution<\/strong> can really decrease overall repair time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"supplement-your-fleet-maintenance-plan-with-proper-storage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supplement Your Fleet Maintenance Plan with Proper Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every fleet manager should schedule preventive maintenance and promote the use of fleet management software as part of their daily operations. However, an equally important factor in vehicle maintenance is <strong>proper storage<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Extreme temperatures, sleet and snow, and wind can damage your fleet vehicles, so finding a safe, enclosed space to store them is essential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you lack enough parking space at your business, you should consider renting a commercial-sized garage, additional parking lot, or multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/10x30-storage-unit-ultimate-guide\/\">10&rsquo;x30&rsquo;<\/a> storage units to store your vehicle fleet and keep your assets safe from thieves and the elements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\">Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace<\/a> that provides safe, local parking options for a budget-friendly price, offering protection for your entire fleet. All of Neighbor&rsquo;s hosts are thoroughly vetted, so you know your vehicles will be in good hands.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If your business vehicle breaks down, how long does it take you to get it fixed? Regular fleet&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":11734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vehicle-fleets","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Fleet Vehicle Maintenance: What Is It, Benefits &amp; Best Practices - Neighbor Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Chances are, you could have avoided costly repairs (and costly business downtime) by performing regular fleet vehicle maintenance.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/fleet-vehicle-maintenance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fleet Vehicle Maintenance: What Is It, Benefits &amp; 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