The dual-purpose standalone fueling system from Propane Fueling Solutions provides fleets with reliable solutions whether they refuel with propane autogas or need to recharge using a propane-powered microgrid
After decades of reliably providing fleets with a clean energy solution, propane is now reducing emissions along the path to zero even further by providing a significantly less expensive and cleaner recharging solution. The new portable dual-purpose standalone fueling system from Propane Fueling Solutions allows fleets with various alternative fuel vehicles to refuel with propane autogas or recharge with DC level 3 fast chargers independent of the grid.
The skid infrastructure combines an efficient 60kW propane generator with wind and solar power to create a microgrid that allows fleets to affordably implement a drop-in charging solution. The skid also includes a refueling station for propane autogas vehicles.
For light commercial microgrid (<100kW generation system) applications, propane fuel cells can lead to near-zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, as well as a 24 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Propane fuel cells are also cost-competitive with diesel generators.
Compared to traditional EV charging infrastructure, the skid solution is significantly less expensive than traditional EV charging infrastructure because it doesn’t require the same site prep, permanent housing, or other costly charges that are incurred with permanent infrastructure. According to Propane Fueling Solutions, the skid cuts costs by as much as 75 percent or more. Because of its affordability, the dual-purpose standalone fueling system allows fleets to try both propane autogas and electric vehicles—and learn about the capabilities and limitations of multiple energy sources—without making costly infrastructure investments.
The dual-purpose standalone fueling system will be on display in PERC’s booth (#353) at the NTEA Work Truck Show, March 7-10, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attendees who visit the booth can learn more about the ease of refueling or recharging with the infrastructure through guided demonstrations of the new technology.
Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)
The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry.
Rising costs, labor shortages and issues in the supply chain are making fleet management much more complex. Old practices aren’t as effective, so business leaders need new ways to keep their companies modern and in step with the times.
The needs of logistics professionals can change by the day, so keeping pace is critical. Here’s how logistic professionals can optimize their maintenance checklists.
Implementing Automation
The first step in optimizing a checklist is to implement automation. Machines have become much more intelligent over the past few decades. Modern technology frequently sees artificial intelligence (AI) excel at saving time in the workplace and on the road.
Fleet managers should take advantage of automation because it’s also a beacon of safety. Since 1972, on-the-job injuries have dropped significantly, and automation receives much credit for smoothing processes.
Companies can benefit significantly from fleet management software. These programs take paper out of the workflow and give professionals the data they need in front of them. Software is ideal for those who want to improve time management and automate specific tasks. For example, programs can bill customers, manage operating expenses and monitor vehicles through tracking software.
Prioritizing Safety
Workplace safety has improved in the last half-century, but fleet managers and drivers still face risks when they hit the road. Drivers are the most integral pieces of any business utilizing fleets, and managers should emphasize safety and train them to implement best practices. Knowing the expectations now can save many headaches in the future.
Safety should be a top priority from day one, and that starts before the keys go in the ignition. Fleet owners can optimize their checklist by training drivers on what to watch for with their vehicles and how to perform maintenance. For example, suppose a tire goes flat on the highway. Training the driver to fix it themselves saves money and reduces downtime because they know the best way to mitigate the issue.
Using Telematics
Another way fleet managers can optimize their maintenance checklist is by implementing telematics. This software is ideal for tracking driver behavior while on the road. Employees who know they have a tracking device in the vehicle are more likely to adhere to best practices while operating. Telematics gadgets alert fleet owners of drivers’ habits, whether speeding, phone usage, hard braking or other detrimental acts.
Most fleet owners use telematics to correct driver behavior and ensure safe driving, but the benefits go beyond that. Managers have legal backing if someone steals the vehicle. A GPS tracker lets owners know where their trucks are at all times so law enforcement can find those culpable.
Telematics can optimize your maintenance checklist by providing the information to drivers more quickly. These devices often detect vehicle problems before a human. Finding issues earlier leads to a more straightforward fix and less strain on the company’s wallet when it’s time to repair.
Determining Task Responsibility
Technology can tell fleet owners the problem, but it takes humans to look under the hood and fix it. Drivers can perform maintenance tasks, like airing tires or changing the oil. Other, more complicated tuneups may need a certified technician specializing in certain vehicle parts.
Fleet managers must divide who gets what responsibility to ensure every maintenance element goes smoothly. Owners can optimize their maintenance checklist by assigning tasks based on who can perform them the best. Employee experience will play a key role in addition to the type of vehicle.
Reducing Maintenance Costs
A maintenance checklist should include tasks that reduce costs in the long run. Fleet owners can save money by doing small things now and preventing more significant problems in the future. Some of these tasks may include:
Washing: Washing might not be at the top of a fleet manager’s list of maintenance tasks, but it’s critical. No matter where they drive, cars end up with dirt and debris on the exterior and undercarriage. Fleet owners can optimize their checklists by creating daily and weekly tasks. For example, drivers should sanitize the steering wheel daily. Weekly, they should perform tasks like cleaning the mirrors and door handles. A clean car shows employees and consumers that the company cares about safety and cleanliness.
Waxing: Waxing is another preventive maintenance task. Fleet owners operating on the coast or in cold-weather areas should be wary of rust buildup. Salt from the ocean and the roads can easily damage a car by causing rust. Waxing twice a year protects vehicle parts from breaking due to rust damage and makes the maintenance checklist easier in the long run.
Tires: Tires are an integral part of any fleet. Owners can use tires as a way to optimize their maintenance checklist. Drivers and managers should track the psi of every vehicle because it plays a significant role in other factors like driver safety and fuel mileage. For example, properly inflated tires increase fuel mileage by up to 3%, but underinflated tires harm fuel economy.
Upgrading When Necessary
Modern problems require modern solutions. Sometimes, fleet managers and drivers can take precautions and perform preventive maintenance. However, the vehicle doesn’t want to cooperate for one reason or another. The problems could stem from unknown issues or a car reaching the end of its life. Fleet owners should keep an eye on what components require the most attention because an upgrade could be in order.
A maintenance checklist should include every component of the fleet’s vehicles. Owners should account for extensions and attachments like trailers. Cars wear down over time, and managers should consider upgrading the entire vehicle or individual parts. Enhancing the fleet with aftermarket updates like a cold air intake or iridium spark plugs could make the checklists easier for drivers in their daily duties.
Optimizing the Maintenance Checklist
Today’s economy makes things more challenging for fleet managers. Supply chain disruptions, rising prices and other problems increase the job’s complexity. The heart of the work lies with the cars and drivers. These professionals should optimize their maintenance checklist to keep pace with today’s demands.
A modern-day checklist starts with automation. Fleet owners should let management software take care of tasks like billing and scheduling vehicle maintenance. Automation allows them to focus on the bigger picture.
Managers should also heavily emphasize safety to their drivers and help them take steps to protect themselves and their vehicles. Minor optimizations in the short term can save a fleet company a lot of money in the long run.
Fuel is one of the highest costs for fleet managers. Unfortunately, the price of gas and diesel fluctuates often. The past few years have been challenging because of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
These factors have caused gas prices to skyrocket and stay high, and fleet owners must find ways to cut costs. Here’s how they can encourage their drivers to save fuel while on the road.
Enforcing New Policies
The most direct way to encourage fuel-efficient driving habits is to enforce new policies for drivers. Fleet managers could set efficiency metrics for the team and have them aim for specific targets each quarter. Some companies establish a speed limit for their drivers to ensure they get the best mileage possible.
Training Drivers From the Start
One way to make policies effective is for fleet managers to communicate their expectations from the start. Hiring managers and supervisors can encourage fuel-efficient driving habits by showing new people in training. These workers could be entry-level, first-time employees or seasoned veterans. Either way, fleet managers should ensure they know the expectations and metrics they need to reach.
Giving Feedback to Drivers
One of the best methods to improve driving habits is to give feedback. Letting employees know how they’re doing and if they’re being fuel-efficient gives them direct knowledge of whether they’re performing well or need improvement. Today’s technology is beneficial because supervisors don’t have to sit with people while they operate. They can use telematics to give feedback from anywhere.
Telematics serves multiple beneficial purposes for fleet owners, but the best one may be the ability to increase fuel efficiency. These devices recognize drivers’ habits and provide real-time feedback to improve performance. Sometimes drivers may accelerate too quickly on the highway or leave the truck running idle for longer than allowed. Telematics devices can also tell people if there’s a better route with less traffic.
Altering Driver Schedules
Using telematics is one of the best tools at a fleet manager’s disposal. The ability to see traffic patterns can help companies ease supply chain pains by delivering on time and early. Managers can also keep this in mind for their drivers. Paying attention to trends by the time of day or year can encourage fuel-efficient driving.
Fleet managers should create routes daily based on traffic patterns in the area. The time of day can impact congestion significantly. One highway could have traffic jams frequently in the morning but be mostly clear by midday. Driving at night typically brings less traffic on most routes.
Another factor to consider is holidays, which could come in the middle of the week if the government doesn’t fix them on a particular day. Also, fleet managers should consider holidays that are exclusive to specific states and counties. These days can affect traffic significantly, so supervisors must be mindful of the traffic patterns.
Being Mindful of Fuel Capacity
Drivers can go for long stretches in rural areas without seeing a gas station. For example, vehicles on Interstate 70 in Utah can travel for over 100 miles without coming across a service station. Drivers who encounter roads like this should calculate their vehicles’ fuel range to avoid running out of gas.
For example, say a driver’s car gets 30 MPG and has a 12-gallon fuel tank. They should be able to travel 360 miles on a single tank. Practicing fuel-efficient habits can increase mileage. However, fleet managers should encourage drivers to refuel once the tank reaches 25% remaining. Drivers should multiply the range by .75 and refuel after 270 miles.
Incentivizing Drivers With Rewards
Employees like to receive recognition for their hard work. Those who regularly put in their best effort and advance the company’s goals deserve praise. One survey found that about 40% of employees did not feel recognized for what they did during the pandemic. COVID-19 has stretched fleet managers thin amid protocols and other challenges.
One way to boost morale and improve fuel efficiency is by creating an incentive program. Fleet managers can use this tactic by tracking employee data and seeing who has performed the best and saved the most fuel per drive. Drivers who don’t rank highly can reflect on measures they can take to improve. Supervisors can reward the top workers with special privileges like monetary bonuses, gift cards or other prizes.
Lightening the Load
There are a few ways drivers can benefit their managers by implementing fuel-efficient tactics. However, fleet managers can also take measures to set their drivers up for success. An excellent way to start is by monitoring the amount of weight on each vehicle used.
Heavy vehicles have difficulty saving fuel. Most automobiles have gotten lighter over the years, but freight can still weigh down a fleet. Every 100 pounds of cargo reduces the miles per gallon by 1%. That can add up quickly on a long-haul truck. Fleet managers can encourage fuel efficiency by lowering cargo weight, removing unnecessary items and replacing drag in vehicles.
Purchasing Fuel-Efficient Parts
Another way fleet managers can help their drivers save fuel is by changing particular vehicle parts to make them more aerodynamically efficient. Semi-trucks can weigh about 35,000 when empty, so every pound goes a long way. One way to improve aerodynamic efficiency is by installing drive wheel fairings, which reduce the distance between the wheels and the trailer. The reduced airflow lowers the amount of drag and enhances efficiency.
Managers can also install fairings on the rear to lower the amount of turbulence the trailer encounters. Employees can easily take them apart when unloading and reattach them when finished. Some fleets employ cab extenders and attach them to the cabin. They help the airflow and restrict the amount of crosswind that can affect drag and fuel efficiency.
Getting Maintenance Checks
Fleet managers can extend the life of their fleet by getting routine maintenance checks. These appointments increase fuel efficiency by ensuring all parts work at their peak level. Some of the elements fleet owners should examine are:
Tires: Tires can have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. Fleet managers and drivers should track the PSI constantly and ensure it’s optimal for each tire. Underinflated tires compromise fuel mileage by about 0.2% for every pound dropped.
Air filter: Another maintenance point affecting fuel economy is the air filter. It will have difficulty with airflow once it traps debris and dirt from the road, resulting in lower efficiency. Fleet managers should regularly replace the air filter to improve fuel economy.
Engine: Engine tuneups are a necessity for fleets. Supervisors may see they need to replace the spark plugs or oxygen sensors when tuning the motor. Another way to help the engine is to upgrade the oil to a low-viscosity blend.
Creating Fuel-Efficient Drivers
Fuel costs are unpredictable and one of the largest expenses fleet managers have to deal with. They can mitigate costs by encouraging fuel-efficient driving habits. Small changes here and there can add up to significant savings in the long run.
Fleet maintenance is expensive. According to the 2021 HDT Fact Book, repairs and maintenance cost between $0.12 and $0.20 per mile. In fact, fleet maintenance is one of the biggest operating costs facing transport businesses. In a time when every penny matters, business owners need to closely monitor their fleet and related expenses to ensure they’re getting the biggest bang for their buck.
Fortunately, extending the runtime of your fleet is one of the most effective and affordable ways to keep costs down. Regular upkeep on your fleet helps keep everything running longer and extends the time between service and maintenance, ultimately saving you money. If you’re responsible for several high-maintenance vehicles, this guide will provide an overview of seven ways to extend the life of your fleet and save money in the process.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Every vehicle requires regular maintenance to remain in top-tier condition. This includes checking and changing fluids, belts, gaskets, filters, and other moving parts, along with performing checks to ensure everything is working in the engine and drive train. Each test and checkup needs to be done at a specific interval, based on manufacturer recommendations.
Skipping maintenance causes unexpected problems, like clogged lines and leaky gaskets. This can cause the vehicle to stop operating, which could cost your company an exorbitant amount of money to replace the vehicle. That’s why it’s important to stick to the vehicle maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer in the user’s manual. Performing regular maintenance ensures that surprise breakdowns and additional costs will be less likely to occur.
Use Fleet Monitoring Tech
These days, technology rules the roost. Modern fleets are typically monitored and managed by a fleet management system. These systems typically cost around $25-$50 per month per vehicle and provide a host of features for businesses, including providing routing and traffic information, monitoring fuel levels, tire pressure, and more.
With fleet monitoring tech, both drivers and dispatchers can keep an eye on the vehicles. This provides an additional level of security, as you can keep track of every vehicle’s location during operation. This includes hardware sensors and vehicle software that can be monitored from the home base to analyze data for all vehicles. Modern fleet management is one of the most important ways of extending a vehicle’s life because it allows you to spot and fix small problems before they become larger, more expensive issues.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated and Aligned
Perhaps the most common problem experienced by vehicles on the road is inadequate tire pressure. Because tires are filled with air, they require constant monitoring. Having your tires underinflated or overinflated can cause a variety of problems, including lower mileage, misalignment, and the possibility of a flat that can decommission the vehicle until it’s fixed.
Most rigs have extra tires to ensure safety, but that doesn’t mean they can’t go flat. When the rubber meets the road, things inevitably wear down and need to be replaced. Keep an eye on tire pressure anytime you refuel or start/stop the vehicle for the best possible results. Be sure to inflate or deflate to adjust them properly before moving. Doing so helps cut down on later costs and even helps protect drivers from dangerous situations.
Maintain the Battery
Your fleet needs batteries to stay moving, regardless of whether they’re electric or fuel. The battery is the core of your engine and keeps electricity moving through it. Many rigs have a separate battery for the cab or interior of the truck as well, particularly in temperature-controlled trucks. Both batteries need to be monitored and maintained for the best performance.
In diesel vehicles, the battery is often lead acid, while lithium-ion batteries for industrial vehicles are very common as well. The maintenance changes a little between them — for example, lead acid batteries may need water refills — but overall, they will both need to be eventually replaced, so it’s important to keep a close eye on battery levels, condition, and health.
Consider Electric and/or Autonomous
Many fleet owners are considering upgrading to electric or autonomous vehicles, though there are several factors to consider before making the switch. Electric vehicles don’t require gas, but they do need to be regularly charged. This means the routes using them need to have charging stations properly spaced in-between to keep the vehicle moving. Additionally, timing needs to be considered, as electric charges have different timing needs than diesel fuel fill-ups.
When considering autonomous fleets, understand you will still need to have humans involved. Depending on the autonomous fleet, however, one driver can monitor multiple trucks, and this can create more efficiency on certain trips. Be sure to properly analyze cost-benefits before upgrading any equipment. Conducting prior research and taking the time to weigh the pros and cons of any potential changes in technology will ultimately save you time, stress, and money down the road.
Manage Drive Time
Vehicles wear down faster when they’re in use, so it’s always a good idea to limit drive time. In fact, it’s not just for vehicle maintenance but also to ensure driver health. As a general rule, it’s not a good idea to drive more than 8 hours per day, and drivers should have frequent breaks. This keeps everyone alert and ready to face any issues that may come up.
Your fleet management software should be able to monitor this, and it’s important not to have drivers consistently pushing their limits. Exhausted people are prone to mistakes, and you could be putting everybody at risk by having a tired driver reacting slowly on the road. Although it may be tempting to push people harder, it’s always best to monitor drive times to keep vehicles (and their drivers) running optimally and in safe conditions.
Understand the Market
Sometimes, you may have no other option than to replace a rig. Although this can be expensive, there are market conditions that may help. Consider selling the old rigs and making some money back. After all, just because a vehicle doesn’t work doesn’t mean it has no value. Even if scrapped for parts, there is still some money to be made from your old vehicles.
It’s important that you understand the market and know when the right time is to replace vehicles in your fleet. Fortunately, you will likely never have to replace your entire fleet at once, and you can typically forecast budgets with a gradual change-out of fleet vehicles.
At the end of the day, fleet maintenance is an expensive and time-consuming task. However, it’s much more cost-effective to perform regular maintenance, ensure the safety of your equipment and drivers, and keep a close eye on any potential problems before they become larger issues than it is to replace your rigs altogether. The most important step you can take as a business is to manage costs. Fortunately, extending the runtime of your fleet is the most effective way to keep costs down and prolong the life of your fleet overall.
Author’s Bio
Dr. Denis Phares is the chief executive officer of Dragonfly Energy Corp. He leads the company’s innovation and research initiatives, focusing on developing and advancing Dragonfly’s revolutionary technology. Dragonfly Energy is an industry-leading manufacturer of deep cycle lithium-ion batteries and is spearheading conventional and solid-state lithium-ion battery research and development worldwide.
We all know how expensive operating a fleet is. If unchecked, the operating costs can shoot up significantly. This can lead to increased expenses and decreased profits. Something that you obviously don’t want.
So, how can you reduce your fleet’s operating costs? You can start by following the tips mentioned in the blog. The recommendations cover topics ranging from safety and repair to efficiency, and are easy to implement in your daily operations.
While the changes may seem insignificant, they can dramatically reduce your fleet’s operating costs. So, without further adieu, here are ten ways to control your fleet operating expenses.
1. Installing GPS
Having a GPS device installed in your vehicles helps you monitor them at all times. You can check whether your drivers drive at optimum speeds to reduce fuel usage. You can also check whether they are taking the shortest route possible, which helps reduce fuel consumption. Both these factors help reduce the operating costs by bringing down fuel usage.
Source: Unsplash
For example, a vehicle driving at eighty miles per hour uses twenty-five percent more fuel than a vehicle going at seventy miles per hour. A GPS device can send vehicle speed information continuously, including when the driver exceeds speeds.
You can then ask the driver to reduce the speed immediately via phone or radio and keep the fuel consumption in check.
2. Leasing Your Fleet
Buying many vehicles all at once can prove a costly affair for most businesses. Moreover, ensuring vehicle maintenance, tracking, efficiency, and safety for every vehicle can drive up the operating costs. Thus, leasing your fleet from a fleet management services provider is the best possible solution.
The service provider will provide the vehicles as and when needed. Thus, you won’t have the issue of ideal vehicles sitting in your company. Moreover, the services provider also takes care of fleet risk management and fleet assessment. They ensure that the vehicles are well-maintained, have well-trained drivers behind the wheel, and can deliver your goods on time.
You can also track the vehicle employed through a mobile app easily. Thus, you can hire the vehicles at an economical cost without worrying about your goods being damaged, lost, or delayed.
3. Reducing Vehicle Loads
Vehicle loads have a direct relationship with fuel efficiency. The heavier your vehicles are loaded, the lower will be your fuel efficiency.
Both these factors can reduce your fuel efficiency and increase fuel consumption.
Thus, try to reduce the weight of your vehicle as much as possible. Get rid of unnecessary things before you begin a trip. Empty the truck of any items from the previous trip. Similarly, if your vehicle has roof racks, remove them if not needed.
4. Practicing Fuel-Efficient Driving Methods
Driving at optimum speeds isn’t the only way to reduce fuel consumption and your fleet’s operating costs. You can ask your drivers to practice other fuel-saving techniques discussed below.
Using gears efficiently
Drivers should try to change gears early when accelerating. They can also use the block method under appropriate conditions. For instance, they can go from third gear to fifth directly when accelerating and vice versa.
Driving at optimum/low speeds
We have already discussed this topic in an earlier section. The slower you drive, the less fuel will be consumed. This will help bring down your operating costs significantly.
Switching off the air conditioner
Whenever possible, the air conditioner in the vehicle should be switched off. Using air conditioning at low speeds can increase your fuel consumption. So, if it’s a hot day, just roll down the windows for some fresh, cool breeze to soothe you. You may use air conditioning at high speeds.truck
5. Switching off the Vehicle When Not in Use
You should switch off the engine whenever your vehicle is stationary for a considerable time, such as in traffic jams or signals. Why? Because this practice can help save your fuel.
Research has shown that switching the engine off for as brief as ten seconds can help save fuel. The amount may be small, but it can make a significant impact if you have a large number of vehicles that are constantly on the road.
P.S. Shutting down the engine also helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower your carbon footprint.
6. Choosing the Right Vehicle
Whenever possible, downsize to a smaller vehicle. This will help reduce fuel costs as you can use a vehicle with better mileage to transport the items. The vehicle choice must be based on the type of material handling equipment to be transported, their weight, distance, and other factors.
For example, if possible, you can use a small pickup truck instead of a trailer truck to reduce your operating costs. Smaller vehicles provide better fuel efficiency, have fewer maintenance costs, and can complete more trips in the same period as they are relatively faster to drive.
7. Abandoning Unwanted Vehicles
You can cut down your fleet size and keep only the vehicles providing a high return on investment. For example, if you have vehicles that you don’t use often, you can sell them immediately.
This will help you earn a few thousand dollars and spare you from unwanted expenses on their annual maintenance. You can save $5,000 to $8,000 per vehicle annually.
If you can’t sell them, see if some routes can double up. See if the drivers in the morning and afternoon shifts both can use the same vehicle.
8. Reducing Accidents
Having your vehicle get into an accident is the last thing you want in your transportation strategy. Accidents can lead to significant repair costs. The vehicle and the driver, too, are rendered out of service for many days, which lowers your operating capacity. This naturally leads to financial loss.
Moreover, you can also get entangled in costly lawsuits, which can add salt to the wound.
Thus, provide drivers training regarding safe driving practices. Have strict rules regarding driving methods. If you find a driver rash driving and getting into accidents repeatedly, fire them.
Parting Thoughts
By taking these small steps, you can cut down your fleet’s operating costs significantly. You can use the increased profit to expand your business operations, or focus on other areas of your business. However, you must remember that this is a continuous process rather than a one-off thing. So, always check your fleet to ensure that the operating costs are kept to a minimum.
Maintenance is a crucial part of managing any fleet. Professionals know this going into the industry, and regular repair schedules are a standard part of most fleets’ operations, but many may not be thorough enough.
While most fleet managers understand the importance of changing their oil and rotating their tires, other maintenance tasks go overlooked. Here are eight commonly overlooked processes that should have a spot in every maintenance checklist.
1. Checking Brake Pads
Checking brake pads to ensure they have proper thickness is a standard part of many maintenance checks. However, commercial fleets often don’t check them frequently enough.
Since long-haul trucks are 20 to 30 times heavier than average passenger vehicles, they require far more force to stop. As a result, their brake pads wear out faster than even large consumer vehicles, requiring more frequent replacements. Many brake pads can also be difficult to see on a vehicle with multiple axles, so it’s easy to skim over this process.
Commercial fleet repair professionals frequently see truck brakes worn down to the brake caliper. Considering how much costlier caliper replacements are compared to brake pads, fleets should check their brakes more often.
2. Battery Testing
Another maintenance task that often goes overlooked in commercial fleets is battery testing. While most maintenance stops include checking to ensure electronic components are working correctly, they don’t check the battery itself. This is insufficient, as there are often no external warning signs of battery life draining until it’s entirely dead.
While truck batteries last several years, long-haul shipments can take their toll on this equipment faster than some may expect. For example, vibrations break down internal battery components, so traveling over miles of roads in poor condition will deteriorate batteries. To avoid any unplanned downtime, every maintenance check should involve testing batteries and, if necessary, replacing them.
3. Considering Idle Time
Any fleet manager or driver knows the importance of changing their trucks’ oil. However, many fleets may take too long to check and change their oil because they don’t consider truck idling time.
While newer vehicles can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes, driving isn’t the only thing that works the engine. Spending a significant amount of time idling, as most commercial trucks do, also wears out the engine and its oil. Despite this degradation, many fleets overlook it because they go by what the odometer says, which doesn’t account for idling.
To account for idle time, fleets should change their oil more frequently than they would normally. Frequent checks can help determine when oil changes should happen. Internet of things (IoT) sensors can provide even more insight, alerting drivers and managers when to change their oil.
4. Preventing Corrosion on Underride Guards
Another maintenance task that’s easy to overlook is checking for rust on underride prevention guards. Since these parts don’t actively affect a truck’s performance, they often don’t come to mind when inspecting components for corrosion. Despite that, enough corrosion could make them weak, ultimately not preventing underride accidents if a crash occurs.
Workers should always inspect underride guards closely to ensure they’re not corroding, including looking at their underside and back. If there’s some rust, workers can use a biodegradable, non-acid-based rust remover. Acid removers can be expensive and cause disposal problems, so it’s best to avoid them.
5. Refrigerated Trailer Maintenance
Fleets that use refrigerated trailers should also be careful not to overlook their refrigeration systems. If these trailers start to fail, they could lead to spoiled products, costing companies thousands and costing fleets their reputations. This maintenance can also be easy to forget about since refrigerated trailers carry unique concerns that may not be immediately apparent.
Moisture can break down insulating materials faster than normal, so teams must check for leaks and moisture inside the trailer. Similarly, they should look for any punctures or tears in the walls and ensure the trailer doors seal properly. IoT temperature sensors can help inform these inspections, alerting workers of irregular fluctuations or rising internal temperatures.
6. Testing Collision Sensors
Many newer trucks come with sensors to detect potential collisions and keep drivers aware of their surroundings. Things like automatic braking and lane departure warning have significantly reduced collisions, so they’re becoming increasingly popular. As drivers rely more heavily on these systems, fleets must ensure they work properly.
The sensors themselves are the most important part to check with these systems. If they get dirty, misaligned or broken, they may not detect what they’re supposed to accurately, potentially leading to crashes. Consequently, every maintenance stop should include checking these sensors to ensure they’re safe.
Cleaning sensors and cameras will help them achieve maximum accuracy. Workers can also pull diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the truck’s onboard computer to see if there are any issues.
7. Looking for Leaks in Fluid Hoses
Most maintenance stops involve checking all of a vehicle’s fluids. Part of that inspection that may go overlooked is checking the fluid hoses, not just the reservoirs. A truck may have plenty of coolant, wiper fluid, oil or other fluids, but a dipstick test may not reveal smaller leaks in the hoses that could cause problems down the line.
Fluid checks should go beyond measuring levels with a dipstick. Even if these tests reveal a reservoir is full, maintenance workers should check under the truck to see if any hoses have leaks. If they do, they should replace them immediately, as even a small leak could cause substantial problems after a long drive.
8. Downloading Software Updates
Today’s trucks are technological marvels featuring a wide array of digital technologies. Since this abundance of technology is a relatively new trend, many fleets forget that proper maintenance now includes some IT considerations. More specifically, fleets must ensure all of their trucks’ onboard software is up-to-date.
Some devices may have an option to automatically download updates, which fleets should enable. If that’s not available, drivers should regularly check for updates and download them as soon as they’re available. If one driver notices a new update, they should inform the whole fleet to everyone can ensure their trucks feature the latest software.
Since 86% of commercial fleets today use telematics, they should apply this to these devices as well. Any IoT devices need regular software updates to stay safe from cybercrime and reach optimal performance.
Don’t Overlook These Maintenance Steps
Maintenance is one of the most important parts of running a fleet. While these eight steps are not the only parts of a sufficient maintenance stop, many fleet managers overlook them, leading to unnecessarily high costs and risks. Incorporating these tasks into maintenance schedules will keep fleets efficient and safe.
Experienced fleet owners understand the importance of winterizing trucks when cold weather comes around. However, de-winterization often doesn’t get the same amount of press. Despite being a crucial step, many fleets may overlook de-winterization or rush the process.
Maintaining efficiency and minimizing maintenance costs means adapting to all weather conditions, not just the cold. Here are eight important steps to de-winterize a truck fleet.
1. Inspect for Damage
The first step in the de-winterization process is to check for any damage that might’ve occurred in the winter. As ice accumulates and then melts, it could seep into a truck’s metal parts and cause rust. De-icing chemicals on the road have a similar effect, causing $15.4 billion in rust damage over the last five years.
As the weather starts to warm, fleets should inspect their vehicles for damage like rust, chipping paint, and excess wear. Many of these hazards can be small and easily overlookable when they’re not paid attention to, but they’ll lead to more significant damage. Looking for and addressing winter damage early can help prevent larger, costlier breakdowns.
2. Check Tire Pressure and Treads
As fleets inspect their trucks, they should also address the tires. Tires will lose a significant amount of air pressure in colder weather as the air condenses. As the weather starts to warm, this could lead to severely underinflated tires or uneven inflation.
Fleets will likely have to inflate their tires more frequently as the weather changes than they would normally. Anticipating this shift can help fleets adapt their maintenance schedules to prevent uneven wear from underinflated tires.
While workers inspect truck tires, they should also pay attention to the treads. The rubber could’ve hardened in the cold, leading it to wear down faster or even crack. If fleets don’t check for this damage and replace any worn-out or cracked tires, it could cause serious accidents.
3. Look for Animals and Nests
One part of de-winterization that can easily go overlooked is checking undercarriages and engines for animals. As temperatures drop, small animals sometimes shelter in vehicles to stay warm. If they stay hidden, they could cause serious damage to a truck and may get seriously injured in the moving parts.
Fleets should inspect truck engines, wheel wells, and undercarriages for evidence of animals. If they find any, workers can get rid of them by making loud noises on the truck to scare them away or enticing them out with food. These checks should happen regularly throughout the winter, especially if some vehicles lie dormant, but they’re a critical part of de-winterization, too.
4. Change Oil and Check Other Fluids
A more obvious but still crucial de-winterization step is checking and changing the trucks’ fluids. Lighter fluids don’t thicken as easily, so many fleets switch to lighter oils in the winter. While most drivers know to make this switch, it’s important to change back to a heavier oil as the weather warms
If trucks used 0W-20 in the winter, they could switch to 5W-20 as winter ends to ensure proper lubrication. This switch shouldn’t add any time to regular maintenance schedules since fleets should already perform regular oil changes.
This step applies to other fluids, too. Fleets should check their wiper fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and – if any trucks have automatic transmissions – transmission fluid. Even if fleets don’t need to change them, they may need to replenish them.
5. Wash the Exterior
Washing fleet vehicles may seem unimportant at first, as their utility is far more important than their appearance. However, washing should be a standard part of de-winterizing fleets, not to get rid of dirt but salt and de-icing chemicals.
Since more than 70% of roads in the U.S. are in snowy regions, salt and other de-icers have likely accumulated through the winter. These materials can corrode metal parts if they sit on the vehicle for too long. Fleets can avoid breakdowns and high maintenance costs simply by washing these materials off their trucks.
Some fleets may even want to wax their trucks. While this step isn’t necessary, it can protect the trucks’ paint and prevent early corrosion.
6. Align and Balance the Wheels
As trucks stop for de-winterizing maintenance, fleets should align and balance their wheels. Fleets likely already include wheel alignments and balancing in their regular maintenance schedules, but it should be a part of de-winterization regardless.
Water that seeps into cracks in the road freezes and expands in the winter, creating more cracks and potholes. As a result, road conditions during the colder months tend to take a larger toll on truck wheels. Aligning and rebalancing them as the weather starts to warm will help avoid damage from these poor conditions, minimizing ongoing maintenance costs.
7. Check the Batteries
Another part of the truck to inspect is the battery. Batteries produce less current at low temperatures, so they have to work harder to deliver the same power in the cold. Consequently, they’ll wear out faster in the winter, so fleets should check to see if they need to change them as winter ends.
De-winterization checklists should include a battery voltage test. This will reveal if a truck’s battery has depleted faster than expected, and fleets can adjust their maintenance schedules accordingly. If batteries have seen substantial damage or drainage, it’s best to replace them ahead of time to avoid complications down the line.
8. Replace the Wiper Blades
Finally, fleets should replace all trucks’ wiper blades as the winter subsides. The rubber on these parts becomes hard in the cold, causing them to wear down and crack faster. Replacing them before heavy rains start will ensure this damage doesn’t cause more significant issues.
Even if wiper blades seem fine, it’s best to replace them during de-winterization downtime. That way, no cracks or other damage invisible to the naked eye threaten the wipers’ integrity down the line. It may also be a good idea to supply drivers with an extra pair of wiper blades in case they encounter any issues while driving.
De-winterization Is as Important as Winterization
De-winterization may not see as much conversation as winterization, but it’s just as important. If fleets overlook these maintenance steps, lingering issues from the winter or improper preparation could create larger issues. They could endanger drivers or lead to more expensive repairs in the future.
Every fleet must include de-winterization as part of its maintenance schedule. These eight steps aren’t the only things that these processes can cover, but they provide a baseline. Without these considerations, de-winterization will be insufficient.
