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Want to keep your commercial vehicle on the road? So do we. Goods vehicles and buses are under enormous strain and some, like in Singapore, have a statutory lifespan of 20 years. As a business owner, you want to prolong the lifespan of your commercial vehicles by avoiding breakdowns, damage or accidents. Furthermore, you do not want to delay deliveries or lose staff-hours because of faulty vehicles or slow the traffic or pollute the environment.
As you know, downtime of your vehicle(s) impacts your operations and bottom line. Moreover, it's not always easy to find a replacement vehicle at short notice. Hence, it's good business sense to keep your commercial vehicles in tip-top condition and take preventative measures so you can avoid significant overhaul, breakdowns and accidents. Here are our top tips:
1. Tyre Care
Have you ever moved the steering wheel when you're at a stop? It's a common tendency, particularly with new drivers, to steer the wheel when the vehicle is stationary. This usually happens when they are about to move on from the traffic lights or parking space. It may seem trivial, but this will eventually mess up the alignment. Not only that, the tyres will need replacing faster due to wear and tear.
Tip! Always ensure that the vehicle is moving before steering the wheel. It will help you to save money on unnecessary tyre changes and alignment checks.
2. Regular Preventive Maintenance
Keeping a routine check on your engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, drain plug gasket and transmission fluid might seem like a pain, but these small measures are essential for keeping your vehicle in good shape.
Tip! Stick to regular servicing. Business productivity is important but having a major breakdown will cause you delays. The last thing you need is your vehicle stranded in the middle of nowhere.
3. Switch gradually from Low to High Gear
Your gearbox is designed to last, but if the driver jumps straight from a low to a high, without using the ones in between it will damage the gearbox.
Tip! Always start in first gear and change up and down with patience.
4. Increase or Reduce Speed Steadily
Most drivers don't realise but stopping abruptly, changing speed or applying emergency brakes too frequently will damage the braking system. The tremendous stress to the brakes will affect the braking efficiency over time. Vehicles with automatic transmission are not spared.
Tip! Increase or reduce speed steadily. Your passengers will thank you for it and so will your vehicle.
5. Remember to Switch Lights OFF
We've all been there. You leave your vehicle in a hurry and forget to turn off the lights. A jumpstart can help to revive a flat battery but having a flat battery too often could shorten the battery's lifespan.
Tip! Make a habit of checking the lighting before leaving your vehicle. Always make sure lights are switched off to avoid facing the dreaded flat battery the next morning.
6. Switching Off Engine Immediately
Have you ever turned off the engine before switching off the aircon? A sudden power cut is harmful to your system and shortens its effectiveness and longevity.
Tip! Fancy the idea of no air con in 40 degrees plus? Thought not. Always switch off your air con and all other systems before shutting down the engine.
7. Physical Check
If you leave a vehicle overnight or unused for a few days, consider giving it a quick check before driving away. Doing so will ensure that there is no damage to your vehicle, which will be difficult to prove at a later date.
Tip! A simple visual check around your vehicle will help you to identify any issues or damage before it's too late.
8. Warm Up that Cold Engine
It's common for an engine to be cold, especially when unused for a few days. Knowing how to handle a cold engine is essential and will save you money. Going straight from idle to high RPM, for example, is bad news. We recommend that you start your engine and keep it running for about 3 to 5 minutes before moving off.
Tip! Warming up your engine will serve you well.
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