Vehicles, no matter their make or model, are always subject to wear and tear. This is especially true if they are used regularly for various purposes and long distances. Company vehicles are particularly prone to weathering and deterioration, especially since they are often used by many people with different driving styles and techniques. Many cars are used for long distances, too.
If your company has an official vehicle that’s being used by multiple people regularly, here are some critical tips for maintaining it and preserving its lifespan.
Equip your team on basic vehicle maintenance
A study found that many Americans don’t have a basic knowledge of how to maintain cars. They don’t know how to identify if their vehicle has something that needs repairing, and many don’t have the faintest idea about the signs and symptoms of a car that’s not running correctly.
This is alarming, especially since we can’t roll the dice on our safety, as well as those of people that will be on the road with us. And if the majority of the respondents in this study admit to not knowing about essential car maintenance, then you can assume that your employees don’t either.
Consider hiring driving experts to give a seminar on safe driving and basic vehicle check-ups. Depending on its make and model, you can also ask the expert to help establish the best way to drive your company’s vehicle. It will help your employees feel like you care about their safety, not just the longevity of the company vehicle.
Establish a vehicle maintenance schedule
Essential vehicle maintenance need not be overwhelming because not every item in your to-do list needs to be done weekly or monthly. Some, especially the bigger maintenance steps, only need to be done yearly. Here are some maintenance boxes you need to check off your to-do list and how frequently they need to be done:
Short-term
- Washing to protect your car from lasting damage from dirt and debris
- Oil and coolant levels, especially if the vehicle is regularly taken on long road trips
- Air filter to ensure that your engine lasts a long time
- Tread depth and tire pressure to make sure that your tires are always well-maintained and that your vehicle is always fuel-efficient
- Turn signals, brake, headlights, and parking lights so that none of your employees are ever stopped to pay a fine and that all the lights are functioning as they should
- Oil and filter that are the part of the system that ensures other functions work as they should
- Tire rotation to ensure that your vehicle’s tread wear is always evenly balanced and that you don’t have to worry about vibration and noise problems while driving
- Clear bra car protection, especially if you want your vehicle’s paint to stay in good shape and keep rust at arm’s length for many years
Long-term
- Transmission fluid and transfer case fluid, to ensure that your transmission and transfer case are functioning at 100 percent and to avoid costly repairs or replacements later on
- Coolant fluid exchange so that your engine is always kept cool no matter the weather
- Spark plugs so that your engine doesn’t suddenly lose power and that it continues to run optimally for a long time
- The serpentine belt, which is key to maintaining your vehicle’s peripheral devices like the power steering pump, the alternator, and the compressor for the air conditioner (AC)
Seasonal
- Check the battery and how it’s been performing, especially as temperatures change in swift and extreme ways.
- Change the tires, especially before winter, so that you can switch to snow tires.
- Replace the windshield wipers, or even more frequently, especially if their performance is compromised or deteriorating.
- Inspect the coolant levels, especially your radiator’s antifreeze levels, during colder months.
Assign different people for various tasks, or form a team whose sole purpose is to maintain the vehicle. It will make everyone feel like caring for the car is a team effort and not just one person’s burden. It will also incentivize everyone to drive safely and treat the car better.
Additional pointers
Don’t hesitate to have your vehicle inspected by mechanics. You may have car enthusiasts in your team, but nothing escapes the eye of trained professionals. When it comes to caring for the company vehicle, no effort should be spared, especially if you want it to last for a long time. Pay attention to detail, make it a company-wide effort, and train your team—and you’re on your way to ensuring that your company vehicle will be in commission for years to come.
