Keep Your Municipal Vehicles Maintained

Managing a government fleet means you are responsible for many tasks. From the purchasing, and replacing the various vehicles used to the daily maintaining. With so many responsibilities it can be overwhelming. It is vital you and your team have a fleet maintenance strategy.

Components of this strategy may include:

• Knowing what transportation vehicles are on your roster.
• Knowing how much money is being spent on purchasing, maintaining.
• Tracking usage your municipalities vehicles.
• Tracking what type of condition your vehicles are in.
• Staying up to date on inspections and maintenance tasks.

Tips for Maintaining Your Municipal Fleet

1. Be sure all vehicles are spec’d out correctly.

Every type of vehicle needs to have specific tools and equipment. Be sure that these pieces are in top condition and make upgrades or repairs as needed.

2. Do preventative maintenance.

Have a schedule or use a tracking tool to be sure that basic maintenance tasks are up to date. Topping off all fluids, checking lights, testing brakes, etc. are all vital. Keep items like oil, lube, transmission fluid, etc. available at all times. You can order in bulk from your area AMSOIL dealer Buy Great Oil. Plus, purchasing in bulk, saves money.  And that is something always welcomed by county government officials! Other proactive measures in inspecting the cooling system, belts, hoses, CV joints, driveshafts, braking system, and light.

3. Check tire pressure.

Keeping the tire pressure on the various vehicles correct can be a full-time job. But it is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe. Tire pressure affects everything. From how the vehicle handles to fuel consumption, keeping tire pressure correct is a must.

4. Develop a relationship with the fleet maintenance provider.

If you send out your vehicles for repairs, develop a relationship with the mechanic. Often, they will notify you sooner vs. later of any unexpected repairs, or setbacks. This will allow you to minimize downtime, improve customer satisfaction and maximize productivity.

5. Vehicle rotation.

If possible, rotate out vehicles so that wear and tear is evenly distributed. Otherwise, some vehicles may be left sitting too long while others go well beyond their allotted miles for the warranties.

6. Have a checklist.

Do you have a checklist for when vehicles are returned? Having one for drivers encourages accountability. Also, keep up with who is signing out what vehicle and when.

Being responsible for your municipality’s fleet is a big task. But with maintenance and having commonly used products on-hand, it is achievable. Implement the tips here to help keep your fleet vehicles on the road.