Types of Fleet Maintenance

There are three types of maintenance that happen within fleets: corrective, predictive and preventive maintenance. - __[Corrective maintenance](/blog/fleet-unscheduled-maintenance-best-practices)__ is often unscheduled and done as a reaction to a failed item on a vehicle. - __Preventive maintenance (PM)__ is a proactive approach to fleet maintenance – where regular maintenance is scheduled and performed. - __[Predictive maintenance (PdM)](/blog/reduce-downtime-predictive-maintenance-pitstop)__ is even more proactive than preventive maintenance, where fleets look to historical service records to make a prediction about a fleet asset and perform repairs before items fail.

Example of Predictive Maintenance

A fleet manager realizes that the alternator in most vehicles of a certain make and model dies between 100-115k miles. Rather than waiting to see if the trend holds true, they decide to replace the alternator on similar vehicles once they get close to 100k miles in order to avoid the costs of a vehicle breakdown away from the shop.

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Fleet Preventive Maintenance Program Components

A [preventive maintenance program](/blog/the-best-preventive-maintenance-program-guide-for-fleets) allows fleet managers to improve their overall uptime and reduce the costs associated with unplanned repairs, as well as extend the lifetime of the assets in their fleet. Here are a few components of a fleet preventive maintenance program. ![5 Components of a Fleet Preventive Maintenance Program Infographic](//images.ctfassets.net/hh9a9bjevp7u/4GerJNszFnubSwAl7pKwpH/238132db687f72dfa992282047159e3d/24-Fleetio-Infographic-600x1231-v7-2X.png) __1. Start by inventorying each asset in your fleet.__ Create a list, documenting each asset in your fleet that requires preventive maintenance. Include asset details such as year, make and model. __2. Record the existing service history for each asset.__ By seeing what service has been performed historically, you can better prioritize upcoming maintenance needs, rather than constantly performing avoidable [fleet repairs](/blog/reactive-maintenance). Create a system for documenting fleet-wide maintenance. __3. Create a list of OEM-recommended maintenance tasks and intervals for each asset.__ When determining what maintenance to perform, and how often, it's best to refer to the guidelines set in place by the [original equipment manufacturer (OEM)](https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/guide-page.html). __4. Develop a PM calendar for each asset.__ Once you know what maintenance has been performed and what maintenance needs to be performed, create a maintenance calendar to anticipate vehicle downtime for each asset. __5. Log odometer readings and other usage data.__ Track meter readings for all of the assets in your fleet in order to ensure that your assets are receiving the service they need, when they need it.

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5 Best Practices for Implementing Preventive Maintenance

Implementing a [fleet maintenance schedule](/features/pm-scheduling) is one thing; sticking to it is another. Many fleets still use paper work orders and spreadsheets to manage their PM, which can be inefficient and cause vehicles to miss routine maintenance, leading to downtime and costly repairs. While you may have a [planned preventative maintenance (PPM)](/blog/planned-preventative-maintenance) schedule in place, check out these best practices to see how a [fleet management system](/solutions/fleet-management-software) can help you increase efficiency. ### 1. Set Service Reminders Based on Odometer Updates Most fleet preventive maintenance schedules are based around mileage and hour intervals, so fleet managers rely heavily on odometer readings to manage maintenance. Because many fleets still use paper processes, most drivers can only provide odometer readings when they return to the office. This means managers are receiving infrequent, and sometimes inaccurate, odometer updates. With an [integrated fleet management system](/solutions/integrations), you receive recurring, accurate odometer updates to help automate service reminders. Instead of hunting down drivers and manually tracking when service is due, you can avoid the information bottleneck and start service on time. Drivers update odometer readings through a [driver inspection app](/go), or you can integrate your [telematics fleet management](/blog/fleet-telematics) system into fleet management software to receive automatic meter updates in real-time.

With accurate odometer readings, your fleet can adhere to routine preventive maintenance, set service schedules in your maintenance software and receive reminders based on odometer updates.