Six tips for getting the most out of your maintenance program

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping trucks on the road. And while you may think you are doing a good job managing your fleet’s maintenance program, there are some small things that could help you get as much as you can out of your efforts.

Here are just a few quick and easy ways to boost the effectiveness of your maintenance program.

1. Pay close attention to Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports: Drivers are your first line of defense in keeping your trucks on the road. Make sure you review their DVIRs and take action to fix things they note as being out of spec. If drivers see that you are taking their findings seriously, they are more likely to become diligent in their pre- and post-trip inspections. Also, make note of any wear trends drivers have identified and schedule a service campaign to fix the problem in all affected assets.

2. Avoid deferring maintenance: While it’s easy to fall in the trap of “just this once” when it comes to skipping a scheduled maintenance appointment, each and every PMI and maintenance service is important. Remember, the sooner you find a developing problem the easier and cheaper it is to fix.

3. Track PM compliance: Institute a system that allows you to see which vehicles are up-to-date on their maintenance service. This is especially important if your vehicles do not return to your location on a regular basis. You should be able to tell at-a-glance which trucks have had the necessary PM service and which you need to schedule this service for to bring them into compliance.

4. Use VMRS codes: VMRS codes are the universal language of maintenance and repair. Using VMRS codes means every one will understand exactly what is wrong with a truck and what was done to repair it. VMRs codes become especially important if you use outside service providers to perform maintenance. No matter who is doing the maintenance, VMRS codes make it clear what problems occurred and what steps were taken to fix them.

5. One size does not fit all: It’s best to tailor maintenance inspections and service to each asset. A one-size-fits-all approach to maintenance will not get you the best results. You’ll end up seeing some trucks too frequently while others won’t be seen as often as they should.

6. Review maintenance schedules: As you add new assets and as assets age, it is important to periodically review the maintenance schedules of your trucks to make sure they align with the age and duty cycle of the vehicle.

Following these six simple tips can help ensure sure you are getting the most out of your maintenance dollars.