Buying a commercial vehicle is an investment and as with anything that you want to last and get your money’s worth from, it makes sound financial sense to protect that investment with a regular maintenance program.
Here are some of the essential aspects of commercial vehicle maintenance that should be on your agenda.
Keep your tires in good shape
There are several key things that you can do to improve the lifespan of your vehicle and alongside getting good commercial vehicle insurance in place so that you are covered if there is any damage you also need to check your tire pressures every week.
Checking your pressures regularly is a real no-brainer as it reduces the risk of uneven or accelerated wear and tear, plus it helps to ensure that the vehicle is able to perform as it should do.
Incorrectly inflated tires can cause blow-outs and put stress on other parts that will then wear out quicker.
Give it a wash
You might think that giving your vehicle a regular wash is hardly a maintenance tip but your efforts will often be rewarded with a longer lifespan and a better resale value.
By washing your car at least once a week you will be helping to remove damaging dirt and grime that can spoil your paintwork and getting rid of corrosive substances like road salt that really attack the bodywork if left in place for too long.
The other bonus is that clients will be impressed that you take care to keep your vehicle clean so it could even be good for business.
Regular servicing matters
It can be tempting to skip or delay a scheduled service if cash flow is a bit tight but that could prove to be a false economy.
One of the big benefits of regular servicing is that the vehicle performs to the best of its ability and by getting your garage to take a look under the hood, they could easily spot a small problem that can be fixed cheaply before it turns into a bigger and more expensive issue.
Use genuine parts
Replacing components is something you will have to do during the ownership of your commercial vehicle and it might seem a sensible saving to buy a non-genuine and cheaper replacement, but it might not be such a good idea.
Although some replica parts might be ok you are risking the prospect of engine wear or failure if you don’t stick to the recommended quality parts as suggested by the manufacturer.
Fluid levels
Regular maintenance is all about getting into good habits and if you commit to checking fluid levels and walking around your vehicle to inspect it a few times a week it could help save you from some bigger bills down the road.
Check your tire treads and pressures, look for any loose fixings and inspect the bodywork. After that, check the various fluids that your vehicle relies on such as oil and coolant levels.
A few minutes a day looking after your commercial vehicle could make all the difference to how long it stays on the road and how much you sell it for when the time comes to replace it.