Many would agree that fleet maintenance is not a walk in the park. It requires knowledge of different domains and the ability to think on one’s feet. In order to keep your business running smoothly, fleet maintenance is an important process by the fleet manager. It used to be more difficult to handle the different components of a fleet, but now there are technological solutions that simplify the process. OEM scheduling along with software assistance provides fleet managers with the key to lead in overall efficiency.
What Is OEM Service?
Original equipment manufacturer scheduling (OEM) is incorporating the manufacturer’s recommendations into one’s fleet maintenance. Fleet managers are responsible for routine maintenance, but OEM scheduling is considering the advice from other parties. For example, depending on when a vehicle was produced, manufacturers will receive a recommendation of how many miles it can travel before requiring scheduled maintenance. This figure does range, but it is an average of 5,000 miles. In this regard, following OEM service recommendations helps fill the void and preserves the resale value of a company’s vehicles.
Benefits of Using OEM Scheduling
Did you know that keeping your vehicles in optimum working condition will not only help you keep your ROI higher, but it will also assist your efforts if you decide to sell? There are multiple benefits to following OEM scheduling. As a fleet manager, you understand the importance of keeping your vehicles in good condition for as long as possible. However, this turns into an uphill task if you aren’t diligent about OEM scheduling. There are six primary benefits of scheduling your maintenance based on the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer.
Reduces Downtime
The main benefit of following the OEM service schedule is that your downtime is greatly reduced. Now you can rest easy knowing that you’ve done exactly what you were supposed to do. Downtime costs far more than the time and money spent on maintenance. As you are aware, even a day or two of unplanned shortages can result in major issues throughout the entire fleet. For example, it is estimated that for just one vehicle a day of downtime costs the fleet $448 to $760.
Preserves Resale Value
Most fleets sell or trade their vehicle at the end of its useful lifetime. Since the manufacturer can verify regular maintenance and the device is less likely to have an issue for future buyers, then this increases the price they will be willing to pay. Although your top priority should be the fluid running of your fleet of vehicles, resale value is an important process in evaluation. Anything you can do to keep this value up will lower your capital costs over time.
Keeps Better Records of Your Vehicles
While some fleet managers may decide to outsource their scheduled maintenance jobs, others would prefer to do the same in-house. Whatever the case, following the OEM service schedule can help you keep a better record of your vehicle’s service history. These will come in handy when sharing the vehicle’s history with a potential buyer. Moreover, they can have comprehensive and transparent visibility of your vehicles’ condition.
Fewer Repairs
The one issue that increases the costs of operation for a vehicle is its repairs. By adhering to the OEM service guidelines, you can rest assured that cases and frequency of repairs within your fleet will drastically decrease. This can result in an extended lifeline for your vehicles.
Warranty Coverage Guaranteed
Using OEM guarantees your vehicle’s warranty coverage. This benefit allows you to rest assured that spending, like part replacements, will be minimal. To ensure that your vehicles remain under factory warranty, only service your vehicles at specific locations. These may be in selected dealerships, or better yet, specific mileage milestones.
Mitigates Risk
As a fleet manager, time is of the essence, and you don’t want to waste any of it when running your business. However, repairs for your fleet can be challenging and time-consuming. It’s usually best to know that you did everything you could to reduce the chances of an unexpected breakdown. You could create metrics; but, by following a certain mileage recommendation for each part of the vehicle, you know you’re doing what the manufacturer recommended.
Simplify Your Operations with Better Fleet Management
Following the OEM schedule gives you the perfect opportunity to streamline your operations and keep your fleet in optimum performance. However, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure all the records you have are accurate. Plus, scheduling reminders for maintenance will save your fleet from experiencing unnecessary downtime. That’s why using fleet tracking software presents so many benefits to fleet managers. Decreasing downtime and avoiding high maintenance costs are two short-term benefits of properly scheduled fleet maintenance. Over time, you will likely experience higher resale values on your vehicles. To plan ahead and lead efficiently, consider a software implementation to help you reach your fleet’s goals.
