About 21.7 million commercial vehicles were produced worldwide in 2020, with North America being the leading manufacturer. Along with a great team that reaches its fullest potential, these vehicles are crucial if the business largely depends on transportation.
But owning a commercial vehicle is one thing, and caring for it is another. Of course, these vans, cars, buses, and trucks cover more mileage, facing more wear and tear than their regular counterparts. Therefore, they require extra care. Read on to learn how you can care for your commercial vehicle fleet.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
One of the best ways to care for your business vehicle is conducting regularly scheduled maintenance at your local garage. Different models and makes require varying maintenance practices, but this also determines whether you stick to your manufacturer’s timelines.
Commercial vehicles are designed for heavy-duty use and may require extra attention. But not all businesses will use heavy trucks. If your business uses a van, bus, or truck for business purposes, just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and you’ll be safe. In addition, your local garage can help in developing an effective vehicle maintenance plan.
Your vehicle’s catalytic converter may sometimes fail due to unburned fuels, high oil consumption, or coolant leaks. While regular check-ins with your garage can prevent such problems, you may consider investing in vehicles with suitable catalytic converters. Expensive as they might be, they’re worth every penny.
According to mechanical engineer John Robinson, Dodge Ram 2500, Fiat Ducato, BMW E36, BMW E39, Ford F250, and Ferrari F430 are vehicles with the most expensive catalytic converters.
Consider the Purpose of Your Commercial Vehicle
The amount of care you accord to your business vehicle/s will depend on the use. For industries such as furniture and construction, where vehicles haul heavy loads, it’s vital to check the working condition of parts such as shocks and brakes daily. In fact, this should be a daily procedure.
Remind your drivers to check for any scrap or debris left behind from the previously transported materials as it can accumulate and lead to big messes.
On the other hand, you can apply different vehicle-interior standard maintenance procedures if you use your business vehicles to transport people, move delicate products, or visit work sites. By keeping the interior clean and tidy, you ensure comfortable transportation of your clients or their goods. Clean up almost after every trip and vacuum any crumbs left behind. You can also use an air freshener to eliminate any odor left behind.
The Exterior Is Critical Too
While most of the focus should be on the vehicles’ interior, the exterior of your commercial vehicle/s is essential too. Remember, this is where your business branding appears. Therefore, maintain it in the best condition to create a positive impression on people out there.
Remove dirt and dust to ensure it does not damage the paint or access the engine areas. If your commercial vehicles are frequently in dusty areas, provide proper care to the undercarriage. Frequent washing will go a long way.
Wrap Up
Caring for your business vehicle fleet is not about avoiding repairs to save money. It’s also about taking pride in your brand. Customers are quick to take note of the mode of transportation you use. It’s the first thing they see. So, a clean, tidy, and efficient car, van, or truck portrays your business as organized and trustworthy. They perceive that their business interests are in the right hands.
