Ideal Automotive is a full-service auto shop that works on everything including fleet vehicles. If you have a fleet of delivery vans, you can rest assured that we can keep them in tiptop shape. We run into common problems with fleet delivery vans every day, and if you think about how these vans have to be driven, these problems actually make sense.
Battery Trouble
The average lifespan of a vehicle battery ranges from three to four years. Fleet vehicles are turned on and off frequently for deliveries, which puts extra stress on the battery, alternator, and starter. This can cause the battery to die earlier and you may also run into problems with the alternator or starter. We can stay on top of your electrical system to make sure that it is working properly in each van.
Brake Problems
Fleet vehicles also do a lot of stop-and-go driving that wears down the brake pads much sooner than the standard 30,000 miles you can expect from them. The drivers don’t have any choice as they go from stop to stop but to be hard on the brakes. Brake inspections every 12,000 miles will ensure that the brake pads have enough surface left on them to make it easy for your drivers to stop their delivery vans.
Dirty Motor Oil
The stop-and-go driving also takes its toll on the van’s motor oil. It’s a good idea to have the motor oil changed every 3,000 miles, or less if necessary, to ensure that you don’t damage your fleet engines. Depending on how well the oil stands up to the delivery driving, you may need to have your oil changed more often. You might also consider using synthetic motor oil for better protection.
Overheating
Fleet vans can also overheat, especially in the summer. Again, these vehicles are not driving quickly on an open road so that they have a lot of air flowing through the engine. Rather, they often drive on city streets and this can make the engine overheat. It’s important to make sure that you always have fresh and clean coolant in the engines to prevent the temperatures from getting too hot.
Transmission Issues
Stop-and-go driving is also hard on the transmission. Usually, the transmission should be serviced every 30,000 miles, and it’s a good idea to stick to that schedule. However, if your fleet drivers complain of transmission problems, you’ll save money if you have the issues inspected right away. Driving with a problematic transmission will only damage it further.
Uneven Tire Tread Wear
Finally, with all the stop-and-go driving, fleet vehicle tire tread can wear down unevenly. This is because the brakes are constantly pressing against the tires. To prevent this uneven wear from happening, have the tires rotated every 5,000 miles to make sure that they each receive different pressure points.
We’ve got your fleet vehicle maintenance covered here at Ideal Automotive in Blaine, MN. Give us a call today.
