How to Best Maintain Your Fleet Vehicles

Getting fleet vehicles from A to B in the safest and most efficient way possible is a top priority for many industries. To make this possible, having vehicles regularly serviced and maintained is key—especially for companies who rely on fleets as part of their day-to-day operations.
At City Rent a Truck, we take pride in honoring our commitment to providing our customers with fleets that meet the standards for safety and performance. We value your business, reputation, and safety—without compromise.

Whether you’re new to fleet operations or you’re just looking to learn how to properly maintain your vehicles, we have a few helpful tips and procedures that go the distance.

Why is fleet maintenance important?

There’s a reason why medical and health professionals encourage people to exercise regularly, fuel their bodies with healthy food, and participate in routine checkups.

It’s all about being proactive. And believe it or not, fleet maintenance has some very similar parallels to health.

When it comes down to it, there are really only two ways to maintain fleet vehicles:
1. On a schedule (proactive)
2. Off a schedule (reactive)

Scheduled or routine fleet maintenance is an effective approach that ensures your vehicles are in tip-top shape for optimal performance out on the road. Being on a schedule can help you identify and even prevent possible issues before they manifest into greater setbacks. This could be a leak in the transmission, brakes with unsafe wear and tear, poor tire alignment, and more.

When you choose not to put your fleet vehicles on a regular maintenance schedule, you run a much higher risk for encountering issues that could’ve been prevented with a routine check-up.

Like with your health and wellbeing, being proactive rather than reactive is a much better position to be in when it comes to your fleet operations.

Tips for maintaining your fleets

Creating a maintenance checklist is a great step to take. We suggest starting with the following:
– Oil changes
– Replacing tires
– Changing air filters
– Routine washes

Oil changes

Keeping up with oil changes is a given. In recent years, the average maintenance intervals have changed from 4,000/6,000 miles to 10,000 on new model years. Knowing when and how often depends on your vehicle requirements, how the vehicle is driven, and the type of oil the vehicle takes.

Note: Don’t be afraid to pull out the manual!

If you choose to be on a regular maintenance schedule, you leave less room for second-guessing what your fleets need and can move confidently knowing they’re running well.

Replacing tires

Knowing the condition of your tires and getting your oil changed go hand-in-hand. During a routine oil check, they’ll inspect your tires’ pressure and tread to see if you need an alignment or your tires replaced completely.

Most tires have a lifespan between 25,000-50,000 miles. However, the more often you drive and how you drive determines how often you will replace them. Preventative upkeep can help avoid unexpected blowouts or flat tires, downtime, and most importantly keep your drivers safe out on the road.

Changing air filters

Did you know that the air in your vehicle can directly affect the vehicle’s performance? While it may not rank as high on some checklists, getting into the habit of changing the air filters is essential to maintaining your fleets.

As a fleet manager or operator, you’re no stranger to the rising costs of fuel and what it takes to strategically reduce costs in any way possible.

Champion Auto Parts states: “A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your car’s engine, making it work harder and, therefore, using more fuel.”

Changing the air filters can help with fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and prolong engine life.

Routine washes

There’s something to say about pride in ownership. But, you don’t have to own your fleet vehicles to take the same pride in having them not only run well, but also look good while doing it.

Without routine care, grime build-up and corrosion can occur, leading to extensive problems if not quickly addressed. Having your commercial vehicles washed regularly helps preserve the aesthetic appeal, while keeping the safety and function of the vehicles in check.

With City Rent a Truck, our customers get the peace of mind knowing that every vehicle in their fleet has been maintained and inspected for their safety, production efficiency and quality assurance.

Looking for a safe and reliable fleet solution? Get in touch with a team member today!

Freedom to grow your business without fleet limitations, leaving no project behind.