Operating a business that’s dependent upon a fleet of vehicles comes with great responsibility.

Not only for the general maintenance of the vehicle but also for predictive analysis to foresee potential issues before they happen.

10 Things Fleet Managers Need to Know About Reliability-Centered Maintenance

You can ensure your fleet stays at its full potential by investing in fleet maintenance technology.

Another way is to hire a fleet manager to oversee your vehicles. Fleet managers are trained in creating a maintenance strategy based on the industry, size, and type of trucks your business uses.

Are you interested in Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)? Keep reading to learn ten things your fleet managers should know about effective RCM.

1. Fleet Managers Are Knowledgeable in 5 Maintenance Strategies

Reliability-centered maintenance is only one of a list of strategies fleet managers can use to maintain their fleet’s performance. Each one has a specific role. Before we continue, let’s look at the others.

Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)

CBM relies on data that comes from the vehicle. The information is collected with the use of sensors and computer-generated reports.

Predictive Maintenance (PdM)

PdM is a strategy that comes from the vehicle maker. It’s the recommended maintenance to keep the car performing at its highest level.

Preventive Maintenance (PM)

PM is recognizing there is a problem with the vehicle and getting the required service to prevent a total breakdown. It’s also similar to PdM. Belts, hoses, and tires are replaced according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Reactive Maintenance (RM)

RM takes place after the vehicle has experienced a failure. Failures include a tire blowout, busted radiator, or other major parts failures.

Get more info here about RCM training available for your fleet managers.

2. Performance Standards 

Reliability-Centered Maintenance is all about maintaining the performance standards of your company’s fleet. Your maintenance strategy is an intricate part of your overall operations.

When vehicles malfunction and are taken out of operation, your business suffers. Clients don’t get the services on time. Employees are either taken off the schedule or paid when they aren’t driving.

Plus, fleets operating below performance standards will decrease in value quicker and cost more to maintain. You may end up replacing it sooner than its anticipated lifespan.

3. How to Identify a Failure

Understanding how to identify failures in your vehicles has a lot to do with knowing the vehicles inside and out. You’ll need to understand how the vehicle operates and train drivers to identify changes in performance.

Sometimes a vehicle can experience issues before recommended service and maintenance.

4. The Cause of the Failure

Various reasons lead to the failure of a vehicle. Preventive maintenance isn’t always a cure-all. Other factors include driver negligence, delays in service due to work volumes, and conditions in which the vehicle is driven.

Assessing these factors will allow fleet managers to assign vehicles based on usage. Plus, procedures can go into effect to address operator negligence.

5. How the Failure Impacts Business

Knowing how fleet failures impact business is very important. Once everyone has a clear picture of negative effects, you can begin to get buy-in from drivers, maintenance teams, and other task owners.

Sometimes a driver is only focused on getting equipment and products to the designated location. A service person may get bogged down and put minor repairs at the bottom of this list.

Understanding how these actions impact business, you can implement fleet maintenance best practices for the team.

6. Is the Failure Significant?

Knowing the significance of automotive failures can lead to cost savings. Or it can cost the company more if misdiagnosed. A good example is an oil leak.

The simple solution is to maintain oil levels in the vehicle until you’re able to determine how serious the problem is.

Unfortunately, when a vehicle is losing oil, the oil is going somewhere. Not to mention, refilling the oil is costing the company money.

An oil leak becomes a significant expense when it’s determined the oil is leaking into the cylinders and damaging the valves. More damage occurs when the engine’s performance is impacted.

Fleet managers are there to minimize risks understanding the domino effects that can occur.

7. Preventive Measures to Address Future Issues

Preventive measures to address future mechanical issues to the fleet are vital to the maintenance strategy. There are various ways to address this that are proactive and cost-efficient.

Drivers could have a mandate to complete a vehicle assessment at the end of each shift. The company could invest in a preventive maintenance plan with a local fleet dealership or service provider.

The company could offer incentives to employees directly tied to the overall maintenance and performance of their assigned vehicles. The same could apply to in-house service mechanics.

8. Next Steps if Restoration Isn’t an Option

After a vehicle has suffered a major malfunction, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of investing in a repair. Most insurance companies will declare a vehicle a total loss if the repair exceeds a certain percentage of its value. Fleet managers must make certain determinations.

You’ll need to set the standard for repair costs. Plus, you’ll need a budget to cover fleet replacements.

9. Implement Fleet Maintenance Software

It’s a best practice for fleet managers is to invest in fleet maintenance software. This software is a valuable tool to companies that are serious about preventive maintenance strategies.

10. Achieving the Greatest Return on Investment

Fleet managers who use reliability-centered maintenance are looking to get the company’s fleet’s greatest return on investment. If the company owns its fleet and not leasing, they want the vehicles to last for years.

To accomplish this goal, they need the right person, with the right tools, and the right plan to protect their investments.

Keep Your Fleet in Tip-Top Shape

Technology has helped fleet managers maintain their company’s fleet and increase performance. If your trucks aren’t on the road, your business is losing money.

Give your team the tools they need to keep your business fully operational.

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