Keeping your first responder fleet vehicles serviced ensures they remain dependable and on the road when you need them to be. Usually, first responder vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances work harder than typical fleet vehicles. Running a diesel engine hard can be tough on them, but you can reduce service and repair downtime with the right fleet maintenance program.
We can help with your fleet maintenance, and keep those vehicles at peak performance, so you can continue to help keep people safe.
Here are some fleet maintenance tips for your first responder vehicles:
Idle a Diesel Engine a While After a Hardworking Shift
Whether it’s charging to the scene of an accident or racing a patient to the hospital, first responder vehicles work hard. After a diesel engine has run hard, it needs time to idle before cutting the engine. Try to give it several minutes to run and cool down. Cutting the engine too quickly can cause damage to the injectors. What happens is oil or unburned fuel can form carbon deposits in the injectors over time.
Check and Change Oil More Frequently
Often, first responder vehicles idle for extended periods. This long idle time won’t show in your regular mileage schedule, and that means checking for dirty oil frequently should be part of your fleet maintenance regime. Dirty oil can diminish performance and increase fuel consumption. Keep this in mind when planning your oil change maintenance intervals.
Use the Right Diagnostic Equipment
The types of engines in your fleet will determine the kind of diagnostic equipment you should have. The right tools will help your team pinpoint issues and parts that need repairing. Without proper diagnosing, you could end up overspending on parts and fleet maintenance services labor. Motorplex has the right diagnostic equipment and can help troubleshoot issues with your vehicles.
Create a Fleet Maintenance Schedule Strategy
For first responder vehicles, managers have to make sure they aren’t left with a fleet vehicle in the shop when they need it on the road. When you bring in the vehicle for service, think about what else can be replaced now instead of adding more downtime later. Sometimes, having multiple repairs done at once can streamline the process and help cut labor costs.
Keeping your fleet on the road is vital, especially if you operate a first responder fleet. Executing a proper maintenance program will help prevent future repairs and unnecessary downtime.
The team at Motorplex can help. Contact us about your fleet maintenance schedule. We will help you keep those essential vehicles on the road.
