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As with personal vehicles, minor problems become major expenses when ignored. By taking a proactive approach, the vehicle remains in service more often, has a longer life span and is less costly to operate.
Tracking repair expenses
When measuring vehicle ownership cost, maintenance and repair expenses should be calculated on a cost-per-mile basis. There are two important factors to consider with the cost-per-mile viewpoint: The better a vehicle is maintained, the lower the cost per mile will be over the life of the vehicle, and cost per mile tends to increase with vehicle age.
When the cost per mile actually begins to increase is often a function of how well the vehicle has been maintained and driven.
By tracking maintenance and repair costs on a cost-per-mile basis, an accurate picture can be developed of the most efficient maintenance program, which will provide valuable input into vehicle replacement intervals.
Planning for maintenance
The manufacturer’s service recommendations are based on “normal” driving habits. Vehicles with multiple drivers normally fall in the “severe duty” category and will require more frequent service intervals. This is where the difference between a quick-lube shop and fleet-maintenance specialist becomes noticeable. Where a quick lube shop will simply change the oil and filter, a fleet technician will do a thorough inspection of the vehicle each time to identify future service and safety problems. They also will keep detailed service records required for warranty service.
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