Do you feel like your business is spending way too much on fleet maintenance? Between the cost of fuel and keeping your vehicles up to date with the latest parts and technology, it is easy for things to get out of hand.

You could take a few of your vehicles off the road, but that would only slow down production. That’s a good way to lose some valuable customers.

What if we told you that there was a way to have your cake and eat it too? The simple act of buying the right fleet software could shave serious dollars off your monthly maintenance.

That’s only one tactic your company can try out. Check out this guide to learn more.

1. Use GPS Fleet Tracking

One of the best ways to cut down on truck fleet maintenance costs is to invest in GPS tracking software. Having it can save on gas and time by showing your workers the fastest way to get to their destination.

You’ll also have access to important information that you can use to improve efficiency across the board, such as performance and fleet fuel use.

2. Optimize Your Fleet Maintenance

The last thing you want is to put off maintenance until your fleets are falling apart. You’ll pay more to repair them once they get in that kind of state. Depending on how many vehicles you’re working with, it can be hard for you to keep track of when they need work.

Once again, technology is your best friend in this regard. Fleet management software will allow you to create a maintenance schedule for each one of your vehicles.

It will send you a notification when it’s time for one of your trucks to visit the garage. Some apps have integrations in place that will allow you to approve service requests right from the comfort of your couch.

3. Kick Unnecessary Weight to the Curb

You should never bog your vehicles down with a bunch of extra tools and equipment. The weight will put extra wear and tear on your vehicles, which will cause them to need servicing a lot sooner than usual.

The more weight your trucks are carrying, the more gas they’ll use up. So, keeping them light will save on fleet maintenance costs in that way as well.

4. Don’t Use as Many Vehicles

Cutting down your fleet by too much will put extra work on your drivers. The increased stress could cause them to drive unsafely.

That will lead to road accidents, which can lead to hefty lawsuits. You’ll also have to pay to fix the vehicle.

That doesn’t mean you need so many trucks that your company is struggling to keep them all going. As long as you’re strategic in how you shrink your fleet down, you should be able to make the transition without overwhelming anyone.

5. Opt for Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to your fleets, the area where you’re going to dump the most money is gas. The good news is that there are several ways that you can opt for fuel efficiency.

The first is to keep your vehicles updated and replace your older gas guzzlers. Advances in technology mean less fuel consumption.

Give your drivers a little fuel efficiency training. Discourage practices that use up tons of gas like hard braking and idling.

Sign up for fuel cards. Many gas stations will be willing to give you discounts in exchange for your business.

If your company can afford it, consider switching up to electric vehicles. The upfront cost isn’t cheap, but the long-term savings make them more than worth it.

6. Cut Down on Personal Use

This sort of continues to tie into fuel efficiency, but don’t use your company vehicles for personal use. Taking your feet out for a casual trip will guzzle up the gas that would have been better used for business.

To cut down on employees taking your vehicles out for joy rides, come up with a list of driving restrictions. Go over the rules and regulations with your workers in complete detail.

7. Update the Parts of Your Vehicles

Updating the old parts on all your vehicles will come with a large price tag. Again, it will make them more fuel-efficient, however.

If all of your trucks have been outfitted with the newest technology, they’ll be able to go a little longer without needing servicing as well.

Upgrading does require you to make a tough call. Depending on the age of your vehicles, it might be a better idea for you to replace them instead of pouring a bunch of cash into new parts.

8. Encourage Driver Safety

You need to get your cargo from point A to point B, but rushing it there isn’t worth the safety of your drivers. If they crash, you might have a lawsuit on your hands.

It can also cause your courier vehicle insurance premiums to shoot through the roof, and you’ll have to scrap the vehicle or pay to fix it.

To this end, encourage your workers to be safe on the road. You should also consider making each driver take a training course.

Not only will it teach your drivers the ins and outs of safety, but it can also give them a rundown on fuel-efficient practices.

9. Keep Up With Tire Pressure

When you drive a vehicle with low tire pressure, it will struggle to navigate the roads. The engine has to work harder to keep the vehicle going. As you can imagine, the extra strain puts a lot of wear and tear on it.

Give the tire pressure a check every time you bring your vehicles in for fleet maintenance and repair.

Keep Your Fleet Maintenance Costs Down

Keeping your fleet maintenance costs down can be a struggle. You’ll need to stay on top of repairs and employee training to get the best bang for your buck.

If you weigh your vehicles down or don’t keep up with the little things like tire pressure, you’ll be storing your trucks in the garage more often than you would like.

For more tips that will help your company save money, visit the Business section of our blog.