No matter the size of your county, it is likely you have a fleet of vehicles.  Municipal fleets are used by employees so the county DOT can get things done.  From dump trucks and school buses to road maintenance crews and perhaps emergency vehicles, all of them require frequent maintenance work to keep municipal fleets on the road.

When it comes to keeping all the vehicles of your municipal fleet moving, there are several proactive measures to take. Implement a checklist system and rotation schedule.  Use GPS technology.  And additionally, sign up for a computer tracking program.  It’s vital that all the various vehicles in the fleet stay ready to go at all times.

Tips for Minimizing Downtime and Keeping your Municipal Fleet Running

Planned Downtime

Unplanned downtown for fleet vehicles means job delays and missed deadlines. However, with scheduled downtime you can ensure each vehicle gets inspected.  This further ensures all maintenance tasks are accomplished.  Additionally, be intentional about maintenance jobs such as tire rotation, brake inspections, topping off fluids, etc.  This let’s you be sure your drivers and those around them stay safe.

Preventative Maintenance

It’s common to sell off or replace fleet vehicles once they reach an allotted number of miles.  Preventative maintenance extends how long your vehicles last. During those intentional downtimes, it is important to address all the jobs- no matter the size. Don’t skimp on the products, and keep commonly used items on hand. For instance, contact AMSOIL dealer Buy Great Oil for bulk orders on lube, oil, transmission fluid, filters, and other commonly updated products.

Courtesy Service

If some of your fleet vehicles are under contract, find out if they have a courtesy service that allows you to use a borrowed vehicle while your standard one is being repaired. This is a great way to keep jobs being done, even while one of your fleet vehicles is out of commission.

Regular Reports

Be sure a log- whether written or digital- is kept on every vehicle in your fleet. Every driver, mechanic, supervisor, etc. should keep the log maintained so unexpected challenges or problems can be addressed when first noticed rather than waiting till there is a significant problem.

Keep the Vehicle Clean

It might seem odd to include this as part of a maintenance list, but having a clean vehicle is important. Not just because it improves resale value but by keeping tire wells, grill work, windshields, etc. clean, it is easier to notice when there are dings, scratches, or issues such as axels scraping or brakes not grabbing properly.

Investing time in municipal fleet maintenance ultimately saves time and money. Planning for downtime, keeping commonly used fluids, oil, and cleaners readily available, and tracking when repairs or replacements are done are just a few ways to ensure the vehicles in the fleet are always ready when needed.