Identifying the major fleet management costs and their significance. (Part 5)

Contd from part 4

Tyre costs:

Deciding to buy new tyres for your fleet can be a big decision considering every installation cost, acquisition costs, disposal costs and not to mention considering the brand, durability and size of the tyres. Vehicles travelling long distances on a monthly basis, carrying heavy loads or following tough terrains for transportation may require frequent rotations and replacements. However, there are few ways by which the tyres can be maintained and replacement costs can be avoided for a longer time.

Inflating tyres to their recommended tyre pressure (psi) is critical to a safer and cost-efficient fleet. While over inflated tyres can lead to an unsafe and dynamic driving experience, under inflated tyres with speeding can be dangerous as the chemical changes in the tyres caused due to friction between the tyres and roads might cause a breakdown or blowout. Also as mentioned in of Geotab’s blog, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (US Department of Transportation) mentions proper inflation of tyres lead to increase in fuel efficiency from 0.6% to a maximum of 3%.  Therefore, it is imperative to consider every cost related to tyres for fleet cost control.

Any real time information on tyre pressure will be helpful to fleet managers rather than performing constant and frequent manual checks. Depending on the weather conditions (too hot, too cold), tyres can be checked for pressure, replaced and used on suitable road conditions. The tyre wear and tear will also depend on the cargo used to transport. Usually, its advisable to match the vehicle load to tyre pressure since both adds on to fuel mileage.

Given below are following key takeaways to reduce tyre costs in fleets:

1. Consider opting for a telematics provider to get real time information on vehicle performance and maintenance.
2. Check and inspect vehicles regularly for preventive maintenance.
3. Use tread wear grading to understand tyre wear and tear
4. For every vehicle, use the recommended tyre pressure
5. Choose a standard tyre rotation routine for fleets to align replacement schedules.
6. Choose routes and cargo based on vehicle types

Every fleet requirement is unique and so are the fleet management strategies. It is important to devise fleet specific technology solutions early in the business to avoid costs that result from ignorance. Knowing about your fleet economy daily not only improves operational efficiency but also puts you ahead in terms of customer service and experience.