A conversation with a maintenance expert reveals the 2 most typical summer maintenance pains and learn how to prevent them.
The summer months and their humid temperatures are officially in full swing, which suggests summer maintenance is, too. Vehicle heat failures are predictable, and yet many fleets still suffer from preventable downtime. Probably the most commonly neglected vulnerability, in accordance with maintenance manager Jenny Baker from Mike Albert, is cooling systems and “Batteries! Summer heat is incredibly hard on batteries, in order that they needs to be inspected before the new weather hits.”
Heat accelerates battery degradation, increasing the likelihood of no-start situations that may take vehicles out of service unexpectedly. Testing batteries before temperatures rise might help fleets avoid costly roadside service calls.
Cooling and AC Systems
Beyond batteries, two vehicle systems are particularly vulnerable in the course of the summer months: the air con and engine cooling systems.
“Two vehicle systems that take a tough hit in the summertime are the AC system and the engine cooling system,” Baker said.
Spring preventative maintenance might help address each of those issues before they occur.
“AC systems needs to be checked within the spring for each overall performance and freon levels, in order that any issues are caught well before the warmth of summer creates an urgent problem.”
Cooling systems deserve the identical level of attention.
Vehicle coolant must also be checked within the spring, with particular attention to leaks and to verifying that the thermostat is working appropriately.
Neglecting these inspections can result in one of the crucial common summer-related breakdowns: overheating. Combined with battery failures, overheating events account for lots of the service disruptions fleets experience during hot weather.
“The 2 most typical summer breakdowns that would have been prevented are no-starts attributable to battery failure and overheating from neglected cooling systems,” she said.
The Small Maintenance Investments that Deliver
In the case of preventive maintenance, fleets often concentrate on inspections, but other practices may play a crucial role in reducing downtime.
More frequent oil changes can deliver a number of the best ROI for fleets in the course of the summer season because oil breaks down faster in warmer weather, Baker said.
More frequent service intervals also create opportunities to discover developing issues before they develop into costly repairs.
“By getting oil changes more often in the course of the warmer months and pairing them with the right inspections every time, fleet managers can reduce unplanned downtime,” she said.
Telematics’ Role in Stopping Summer Breakdowns
Technology might help fleets move beyond scheduled maintenance and toward a more proactive approach. Telematics and maintenance platforms provide worthwhile insight into vehicle health and performance trends, particularly during times of utmost heat.
“Telematics and maintenance data are powerful tools for getting ahead of summer-related vehicle issues before they end in a breakdown.”
By monitoring key indicators, fleet managers can discover problems before drivers develop into stranded.
Staying Consistent
Ultimately, the fleets that avoid recurring summer downtime are inclined to share one characteristic: consistency.
When asked to provide fleet managers one piece of recommendation to enhance summer fleet readiness this yr, she was direct.
Baker’s response: “Be consistent and formalize that consistency right into a weather readiness policy.”
That policy should outline the preventive measures needed to maintain vehicles operating reliably throughout the season. The policy should specifically include more frequent oil changes during summer months, scheduled inspections for AC systems, battery testing, and cooling system checks.
The payoff extends beyond reliability.
“Lower overall costs are each the goal and the results of doing summer readiness the precise way,” Baker said.
For fleet managers, summer maintenance is less about reacting to heat-related failures and more about stopping them through planning and inspection.,
About Jenny Baker: With over 30 years of dedicated experience within the automotive industry, Jenny Baker-Ford brings expertise to her role as Maintenance Manager at Mike Albert. Since joining the corporate in April 2019, she has leveraged her extensive knowledge of auto service requirements across multiple manufacturers to develop tailored maintenance strategies that minimize downtime and optimize fleet performance.
Throughout her profession, Jenny has maintained a commitment to skilled development and industry certifications. As an ASE Certified skilled, she brings technical credibility to her leadership role. Her skill set encompasses project management, continuous improvement methodologies, and comprehensive knowledge of automotive services and products.
Prior to joining Mike Albert, Jenny held service and warranty roles at Lexus and Toyota dealerships and at Busam Automotive.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
