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The Only Preventative Fleet Maintenance Checklist You’ll Ever Need

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Did you know that workers in transportation and material moving occupations made up around 47% of all fatal occupational injuries? If you work in the transportation industry, safety should be a top concern.

Although some fleet accidents are caused by negligent drivers, others are caused by trucking issues that could have been avoided. To keep your fleet safe, you need to have a fleet maintenance checklist to regularly follow.

Keep reading to learn the most important components to add to your maintenance checklist.

Fluid Levels

To start your preventative fleet maintenance, you’ll want to check the fluid levels of your vehicles. As a vehicle continues to get used, essential fluids will degrade or deplete.

Check the following fluids during a maintenance inspection:

  • Engine oil
  • Brake fluid
  • Power steering oil
  • Wiper fluid
  • Antifreeze solution

Checking the quality and level of the above fluids will help you avoid trucking issues in the future.

Engine, Exhaust, and Transmission

There are some mechanical parts prone to degrading more than others. Check these components for wear and tear:

  • Engine spark plugs
  • Power steering
  • Muffler
  • Engine cooling system
  • Driveshaft

Note any small problems with these components that might become bigger over time.

Tires and Wheels

In the trucking industry, it is important to inspect tires and wheels more often than other components. Along with checking wear and tear, inspect the hub, worn bearings, and rim balance.

Low tire tread can be dangerous in poor weather conditions so it is important to check the tread as well. Tread should last a while so if tire tread is lower than it should be, it might be an indicator that your driver isn’t being safe on the road.

You can opt for vehicle management solutions that include GPS tracking and dash cams to combat this issue.

Vehicle Body

Smart management solutions include having your drivers run a soft maintenance check before every drive. Examining the general state of the vehicle’s body and structure is something a driver or fleet manager can do fast.

Check these places before hopping into the vehicle:

  • Fenders and body panels
  • Underrun protection
  • Grilles and bumpers
  • Cargo haul
  • Suspensions

Taking care of small scratches or dents early on can prevent chipping and rust.

Braking System

Checking the brake fluid level isn’t enough to complete preventative maintenance. You’ll need to check the disks, drums, brake pads, and braking response as well.

Electrical Systems

If you have a more modern fleet, faulty electrical systems can be a major problem. All of the following electrical systems should be working properly:

  • Alternator
  • AC system
  • Speed limiter
  • Horn and backup alarm
  • Wipers
  • Lights
  • Battery

Any problem with an electrical system should be fixed right away or at least before the vehicle is driven again.

Fleet Maintenance Checklist for Drivers and Managers

In the logistics industry, fleet maintenance should be high on the priority list. Running through a quick inspection before a drive is essential to the safety and effectiveness of your business.

With this fleet maintenance checklist, you’ll have everything you need to run a quick test. Regularly, make sure the drivers or managers are completing thorough maintenance inspections.

For more advice on fleet businesses and business in general, check out the other posts on our blog.