Posts Tagged ‘vehicle maintenance’
All New Tires May Require Label for Fuel Economy, Environmental Impact
Monday, June 29th, 2009
As you know, a tire’s performance plays a critical role in your fleet’s fuel economy. And if the U.S. Department of Transportation gets its way, you soon won’t have to guess at your tire’s impact on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emission reductions, according to government-fleet.com. You’ll just have to look at the label on your tires when you purchase them.
The proposal, which was put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also would provide customers “with two other key pieces of tire performance information: wet weather traction and tread wear,” according to NHTSA officials, as reported by Modern Tire Dealer (MTD).
Should the proposal get approved, tire dealers would be required to display the label until that tire has been sold. The new ratings would also be posted on safecar.gov where savvy shoppers can compare overall tire performance before buying them.
“Today’s proposal takes the guess work out of buying the best tires for your vehicle,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Our proposal would let customers look at a single label and compare a tire’s overall performance as it relates to fuel economy, safety and durability.”
Tags: Modern Tire Dealer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safecar.gov, tires, vehicle maintenance, vehicle performance
Posted in Fleet Resources, Industry News | 1 Comment »
No Pressure, But Check Your Tires Already
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
Bad wheels can bring business to a screeching halt
It only takes about five minutes a month to ensure that you and your fleet have well-performing tires. A move that could save you headaches and money down the road.
The Rubber Manufacturers Association recommends a four-part check performed at least once a month, on all tires including the spare, to make sure they’re operating at an optimal level.
P.A.R.T.
To help you and your drivers remember what to check, remember the acronym P.A.R.T., which stands for:
Pressure
A tire can lose half of its pressure and still not look flat, so be sure to check your tires pressure levels at least once a month, more if you are putting high mileage on them. Under-inflation can lead to tire stress and irregular wear and tear, as well as spending money to have them replaced more often then necessary.
Alignment
You never know what the roads may bring – potholes, sleet, a sudden stop for a stray dog. The road can throw your front end out of whack, causing shaking or pulling. If you notice your vehicle doing either, have your mechanic check your alignment. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will get, and the more it will cost to fix.
Rotation
Unless your vehicle has a specific recommendation, which you can find in your owner’s manual, you should have your tires rotated at least every 5,000 miles. Proper rotation will make sure that you’re not wearing out the front tires faster then the back, and vice versa, resulting in you being able to get more road and rubber out of your ride.
Tread
Take a good, close look at the tread on your tire to make sure there are no extremely high, low or completely bald areas. Tire tread helps your vehicles grip the asphalt, and worn tires are worthless in inclement conditions. Rough, worn, or cracked tires should be replaced before your next haul.
Remember, not only does it cost nothing to check your tires on a regular basis, it could actually save money in the long run. So encourage your drivers on how to inspect and maintain their vehicle’s tires. It’s an easy way for everyone to do their P.A.R.T. for the entire fleet.
Photo copyright of charmcitygavin under the Creative Commons license
Tags: alignment, fleet management, Rubber Manufacturers Association, safety, safety tips, tire, tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, vehicle safety
Posted in Fleet Resources | 1 Comment »
Second Car Smoke
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Protecting Your Fleet Investment
For many drivers, a fleet vehicle may not necessarily get the same treatment as their own personal car. But, as a manager, it’s important for you to keep tabs on the condition of your company vehicles both inside and out.
One of the areas that can sometimes be easy to overlook, but can be easily avoided is the overall cleanliness of a car or truck and cigarette smoke is one of the main culprits.
Cigarette smoke will stain any cloth fabric in a vehicle and a lit cigarette can burn holes in seats, carpet and upholstery.
Regular smoking will also leave an odor in the car that is virtually impossible to get rid of.
We all know it’s a tough habit to kick, but if you’re thinking long term, you may want to consider the fact that reassigning a vehicle that was occupied by a smoker often comes with a $200 price tag to clean and fumigate.
Also, smoke, and the damage it causes, can devalue a car or truck dramatically if you are trying to trade a fleet vehicle in.
So, while the cost of smoking may not affect your driver’s wallet, it will definitely make an impact on your bottom line.
Many companies today are adopting policies that ban smoking from their cars and trucks much like what has been done in the workplace.
In this day and age when every penny counts, if you haven’t instituted a policy to protect your investment, it may be time to have your drivers find a new place to smoke.
Check out the complete article about the cost of dangers and smoking here: http://businessdriver.epubxpress.com/bd1
Photo copyright of keepwaddling1 and re-used under the Creative Commons license.
Tags: fleet cars, fleet management, smoking, trade in value, vehicle maintenance
Posted in Fleet Resources | No Comments »
Vehicle Safety Check for Dummies
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
If you are a business owner, having vehicles on the road is normal but not knowing if they have passed a safety check is nerve racking. But why put yourself through that? Make safety your number one priority. Here is a simple – but important – checklist of items you should check before any one of your vehicles hits the road:
- Test the brakes to make sure they are in good working condition
- Verify that fuel and oil tanks are full
- Check that there is an adequate amount of windshield washer fluid
- Double-check that all cargo is secure
- Walk around the truck to check all tires. Any deflated or bald tires should be fixed or replaced.
- Verify that the vehicle is stocked with road flares, first aid kit and fire extinguisher
Tags: safety tips, vehicle maintenance, vehicle performance, vehicle safety
Posted in Small Business Help Tips | 1 Comment »
America’s Vehicles are Getting Older
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
That’s right, America’s vehicles are aging. For the past two years, the median age of passenger cars in operations held strong at 9.2 years, but 2008 data from R.L. Polk & Co. shows that age has increased to 9.4 years.
Polk consultants blame the economy, rising gas prices and limited discretionary income as the reason for the increase, since folks may find it cheaper to fix or repair a car rather then buy a new one.
Passenger vehicles weren’t the only types to see an uptick in age. Other vehicles whose age has increased from last year:
- Trucks: up to 7.6 years from 7.3
- Light trucks: up to 7.5 years from 7.1
For those businesses feeling the economic pinch and needing to hang on to their vehicles a little longer, consider the maintenance reporting that a fleet fuel card provides. A fleet fuel card can help you keep track of maintenance schedules for all of your vehicles so you can get the most mileage-and years-out of them.
Does the Polk report accurately reflect the age of your company’s vehicles? Are yours newer or older?
For the complete report, click here.
Photo copyright of Free Parking
Tags: economy, fleet management, vehicle maintenance
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
