A preventative maintenance plan and a reliable ASE-certified mechanic saves more than time.
Managing a fleet means managing one of your company’s most valuable assets. Whether your fleet is three vehicles or more than fifty, and whether your team is driving light trucks, vans, SUVs, or cars, a preventative maintenance checklist is critical to efficiently managing your costs.
As the adage goes, proper planning prevents poor performance. Your business can save money in the long run by working with a fleet repair shop to come up with a comprehensive plan that fits your specific needs. When looking for an auto repair shop with whom to partner, be sure to choose one with ASE-certified mechanics and a great reputation with a loyal customer base.
You’ll find over time that preventative action pays off in several ways. Here are seven benefits you can expect, and how they help save your bottom line.
1. Maximize productivity.
When your vehicles are on the road, they’re making money for you, and when they’re not, you’re losing opportunity.
Simply put, preventative maintenance can be scheduled on your time, so it’s less likely to interfere with your workflow. Repairs, however, are unpredictable. And if you ignore the urgency of a repair you also risk compounding the damage and increasing its cost.
Regular maintenance helps reduce the need for unexpected repairs—and unexpected down time for your vehicles.
2. Promote better performance.
How much you’re paying at the pump for your vehicles is impacted by a number of things, not all of which are within your control. But a good maintenance service plan will preemptively address some of the things that are, such as tire pressure and air filters.
If you have a larger fleet, even a modest savings at the pump can affect your bottom line over the course of a year. It’s worth taking the time to talk to your ASE-certified mechanic to explore what other ways your maintenance service plan can maximize your vehicles’ fuel efficiency.
3. Protect your reputation.
The reliability of your vehicles is critical to your brand’s reputation. If you’re in an industry that involves deliveries or services, meeting your customers’ expectations is dependent on your vehicles.
If you’re in an industry that involves transportation, the stakes are even higher. You want to ensure that your customers equate your brand with safety and reliability. One unfortunate breakdown could impact more than just a single lost customer once that client shares a bad experience in a review.
4. Keep on budget.
Regular maintenance service helps you budget more effectively because you’re dealing primarily with predictable costs, especially when you have an ongoing relationship with your repair shop.
A good plan also helps you decrease the likelihood of unexpected repair costs, which can balloon your budget. Avoid an expensive, unplanned repair with a more budget-efficient preventative cost.
5. Extend the life of your vehicles.
Treat your vehicles well and they’ll reward you with more durability and performance. Think of it as choosing a healthy lifestyle for your fleet. It’ll take less energy and resources to fix minor problems if you address them before they become major problems, and it’ll ensure that your vehicles stay on the road for years to come.
Choose a fleet repair partner that keeps excellent records, so you can look back and review the vehicles performance and maintenance over a period of time. This way, when the time comes to retire a vehicle, you’ll be better informed and feel more confident about your decision.
6. Avoid expensive roadside repair.
When your driver needs to call for roadside assistance services, it’s not just inconvenient—depending on where they are, it can even be dangerous. Either way, it’s almost certainly going to be more expensive to have the mechanic come to you. And if you’re planning on moving the vehicle to the shop, you can tack on the cost of towing.
Roadside breakdowns also mean you’re less likely to be within range of your regular ASE-certified mechanic. If you’re in a remote area, you’re at a disadvantage for getting a competitive repair rate, and you also may find yourself working with a repair shop who doesn’t have a proven track record with you. This is especially unfortunate when you consider a roadside breakdown may involve a more complicated repair.
7. Benefit from an established relationship with your fleet repair shop.
When choosing a fleet repair shop to partner with on your maintenance service plan, go with someone who takes the time to understand your specific needs. A partner who can develop a plan that works for you and maximizes your value while staying within your budget.
Whether you have regulatory inspections that are required every six months or annually, a good fleet mechanic partner can help ensure you’ll get through your inspections successfully by developing checklists that detail and define services that need to be performed.
A good relationship with your fleet mechanic also helps keep your costs lower because repairs can sometimes be performed during your routine maintenance service.
Contact us today to learn more about our fleet maintenance services.
Do you have questions about how to develop a successful preventative maintenance service plan for your fleet? Auto Tech Center provides fleet repair and maintenance in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. We have reliable ASE-certified mechanics, and our pricing is fair and competitive. Our dedicated clientele is proof that we go the extra mile to ensure you get the maximum value on each vehicle in your fleet. Auto Tech Center’s preventive maintenance packages and suggestions helps keep your costs low and your fleet’s performance high.
Call us and let’s talk about your fleet: (734) 761-1661.
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