Fleet Management: Spring Maintenance Tips

As the weather continues to gradually become warmer and warmer, it’s safe to say that spring is almost here! Now is the perfect time to clean up your trucks and prepare them for the summer months ahead! Not only does performing spring maintenance prolong the life of your trucks, but also improves safety as well. Here are some spring maintenance tips every fleet management terminal should be performing! 

Inspect vehicle brakes

One thing every fleet management terminal should have on their maintenance checklist is to inspect the brakes on each of their vehicles. To do so, make sure that you are checking the pads and rotors to make sure they are in good condition. If they look like they’re not in good shape, it’s a smart idea to change them out. It’s also a good idea to clean off any residue from the anti-lock braking system!

Rotate and fill tires

During the cold winter months, tires tend to deflate some. This is why springtime is the perfect time to make sure your tires are at the ideal pressure. If any tires are low on air, now is the time to make sure they are filled up, as low tire pressure can lead to unsafe driving! It’s also a great time to rotate your tires, as well as verify that each tire’s tread is good enough to drive! 

Charge the battery

Another thing to do during the spring is to check your truck batteries. During the cold winter months, truck batteries oftentimes have to work much harder. Spring is the perfect time to check all of your vehicle’s batteries and charge or replace them if necessary. 

Wash / wax your vehicles

After a snowy winter like we had this year, it’s important that fleets are making sure to wash all of the ice melt and salt off of their vehicles. This will help prolong the life of your vehicle’s exterior and protect it from corrosion and rust. This will also improve your vehicle’s aerodynamics, which in turn improves gas mileage and lowers fuel costs. It’s also vital that you wash the underbody of your trucks as well, including the exhaust system and wheel wells. 

Make sure your trucks are fully supplied

Now is the perfect time to double check and make sure that your trucks are fully supplied with the necessary equipment. Make sure that each truck has a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, repair tools, and other supplies that are necessary in case of an emergency. 

Communicate company policies with drivers

Lastly, as we transition to spring, it’s the perfect time to reiterate company policies to your drivers and answer any questions they may have. Make sure that each driver is aware of their responsibilities and what to do in case of an emergency! 

For fleets to operate at a low cost, regular maintenance is essential. Use these maintenance tips to help your fleet management terminal avoid any future problems! 

TransWood serves as a leader in the bulk transportation industry. With fleet management terminals all over the country, we offer complete logistics solutions tailored to each of our customer’s needs. Visit our website or give us a call today to learn how our services can benefit you!