Dan Shive from Discount Tire delivered a standout presentation on tire maintenance basics, emphasizing the importance of routine maintenance to make sure vehicle safety, performance, and price efficiency. Photo: J. Nuskey / Automotive Fleet
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the NAFA Recent Jersey local networking group hosted its annual holiday meeting and networking event at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Bridgewater, NJ.
At 11 a.m., fleet professionals gathered for insightful presentations, industry updates, and seasonal networking.
Dan Shive from Discount Tire delivered a standout presentation on tire maintenance basics, emphasizing the importance of routine maintenance to make sure vehicle safety, performance, and price efficiency.
Key takeaways from Shive’s talk included:
- Tread Depth: Replace tires once tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch to take care of optimal safety and performance.
- Tire Aging: Tires needs to be replaced after six years regardless of wear and tear, as aging rubber can compromise safety.
- Schedule: Rotate tires every 6,000 miles and check air pressure monthly to forestall uneven wear and improve fuel efficiency.
Shive also discussed driver safety essentials, highlighting the critical role of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks, driver training, and policies in maintaining fleet safety. MVR checks should extend beyond primary drivers to incorporate spouses, authorized drivers, and all pool drivers, with continuous monitoring to discover and mitigate risks.
Effective driver training programs, conducted quarterly or annually, address key topics resembling defensive driving, post-collision behavior, and remedial training when essential. Shive emphasized that policies, like cellular phone usage restrictions, needs to be clear, objective, and consistently enforced to guard employees and the organization.
Event Sponsors and Special Presentations
The event was made possible through the support of sponsors Climate Change Mitigation Technologies, where James Sherman discussed electric, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas (RNG).
“At present, we like RNG, which is methane from dairy cows, sewage treatment plants, and landfills as an alternative of fossil sources. RNG has the most effective combination of economic performance and environmental performance. RNG qualifies for the Alternative Fuel Tax credit (AFTC) and likewise gets Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) credits, which together bring the price of RNG below diesel,” Sherman said.
Megan Fleck from Subaru of America spoke about their recent 2025 hybrid vehicles, and company representatives from Element Fleet Management and Toyota were in attendance.
Empowering Fleet Professionals Through NAFA’s Membership
NAFA’s membership offers advantages for fleet professionals, including access to industry resources, skilled development opportunities, and a vibrant community of like-minded peers.
Whether you’re managing government, corporate, or service fleets, NAFA provides tools to boost operational efficiency and advance your profession.
Learn more about memberships on NAFA’s website.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
