Top 5 Automotive Maintenance Tips for Car Rental Companies

Do you own a car rental company? Are you in charge of managing a car rental service? Do you know how to properly maintain your fleet?

If you are in charge of running a car rental company, then you should also be aware of how to make sure that all your vehicles and automotive stuff are kept in tip-top shape. From ensuring that even the smallest components like the automotive wheel bearings are functioning properly, to checking the interior and exterior condition of all your cars, proper maintenance is the key to keeping your business ahead of the game.

Running in Excellent Shape

Vehicles in car rental companies see a lot of action. They are often in and out of the yard and used by different kinds of people. This also means they are subjected to different driving styles that can affect the overall state of the vehicle. The literal lengths that these automobiles go to – from ferrying passengers around the city to going out for long runs on country roads – can contribute to a vehicle’s wear and tear or the vehicle’s general condition.

Regardless if you have a cute coupé, a stately sedan, a versatile van, or maybe even a bus, you need to make sure that these vehicles are properly maintained. Responsible car rental services providers must see to it that every passenger is kept safe and secured inside the vehicles.

That is why you should also be aware of the ways that you can maintain the looks, and more importantly, the performance, of your vehicles. This is not only for your clients’ welfare but also for you. Keeping a healthy fleet of vehicles will also bode well for your business.

Aside from the safety and reliability benefits, a well-maintained car also has higher resale value. Maintaining it well will translate to reduced repair costs. Clients will also have a higher probability of returning for your services if the cars they use look nice and run well.

If you’re not too familiar with how to ensure that your fleet of rental vehicles will stay in excellent shape, here are some very simple tips that you can follow:

1.        Conduct Regular Maintenance Checks

Whether you have your own in-house team of service technicians or you send your vehicle to your neighborhood car service center, it is a must that you follow a regular preventive maintenance schedule (PMS).

A PMS is a necessity, especially when you are managing a huge fleet of vehicles. Most probably, you cannot be able to personally check each and every vehicle, so it is best to leave it to the experts.

Have a professional mechanic send your cars for routine checks to an auto service center. This will ensure that your vehicles will go through stringent inspection and testing. Following the right PMS for your cars will alert you to any possible malfunctions or problems. Catching these irregularities will help you avoid more extensive repairs or costly replacements.

2.        Check Wheels and Tires

The wheels and tires of your vehicles usually bear the brunt of the work. To ensure that everything will be rolling smoothly, make sure to check the condition of your tires and wheels before the vehicle leaves your garage.

Check the tire pressure. There are gadgets nowadays that you can use to monitor tire pressure so you can make use of that. You will see the recommended tire pressure inside the car manual, so see to it that it is followed. Aside from safety reasons, tire pressure also influences the fuel economy.

Another factor that affects fuel economy and safety is wheel imbalance. Make sure to have your wheels aligned and balanced. Typically, tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles, although you should also check the car manual to be sure. You should have the tire tread checked at least on a weekly basis as well.

In addition, be mindful of any incidence of chirping, grating, or grinding sounds. These noises can be signs of a bad wheel bearing or CV joint. Ignoring unusual sounds like these may lead to potential danger while driving, so it is best to have a professional check them out. Negligence to such warnings could result in expensive repair costs or worse, it could pose a potential danger.

3.        Do Routine Engine Tests

The engine is the heart of your vehicle. If you have a faulty engine, your car may encounter performance glitches or may not even start at all. You wouldn’t want to experience an unexpected downtime in the middle of nowhere would you?

Among the main concerns that you should have inspected are the spark plugs, engine air filter, engine coolant level, engine oil levels, and drive belts. See if these components will need cleaning or replacement. Neglecting to check these items might lead to more engine problems.

Also, avoid sludge build-up. Sludge is a major contributor to engine problems. When this black, gooey substance accumulates, it can mix with the engine oil and get pumped up through the entire engine. Make sure you also use the correct automotive oil to avoid engine troubles.

4.        Be Mindful of Fuel Concerns

Another habit that you should develop is to always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when it comes to the kind of fuel you should use. Check the suggested octane rating for your fleet.

Remember that different vehicles may have different recommended octane ratings. Check your owner’s manual for the correct type of fuel needed. High-octane fuel is not necessarily applicable to all vehicles. It also doesn’t automatically equate to high performance, especially if it’s not compatible with the car.

Being vigilant in checking and using the right fuel will help in your efforts to save on fuel costs as well as in reducing your environmental footprint.

5.        Don’t Neglect Aesthetics and Cleanliness

They say, your car’s aesthetics is a reflection of how you dress yourself as an owner. Aside from ensuring that your vehicles are healthy inside, you should also make sure that they look great outside. This is not merely for aesthetic purposes, but also for the longevity of your fleet.

Clients will tend to gravitate towards clean and polished vehicles. Having this in mind, make sure that you clean the interior and exterior of all the cars in your fleet. Aside from a regular car wash, conduct routine deep cleaning and detailing of all your cars. This will ensure that the nooks and crannies are taken care of. You should also shampoo and condition your upholstery, wax and polish the exterior, and conduct all the necessary paint jobs or bodywork touch-ups.

Stay in Excellent Shape

Well-maintained vehicles, especially when used in a car rental fleet, can bring in a lot of customers. Ensuring that the vehicles are all in tip-top shape will also help you get good reviews from your clients. Remember that word of mouth is a powerful advertising tool, and when they are satisfied with your car’s performance and your company’s services, then you can look forward to a fruitful future.

Make sure that you obediently follow the maintenance tips mentioned above. Aside from this, you should also regularly check in and consult your trusty automotive service center to ensure that your fleet stays in excellent running condition for you to keep that spotless and excellent reviews coming in!

AUTHOR BIO

Hassanein Alwan is the Managing Director of Mineral Circles Bearings with more than 10 years’ experience in the bearing industry’s technical support division, sales and marketing, plus strategic business development consultancy.