The Importance of Oil Changes: How GPS Fleet Tracking Can Help
21 Dec 2015Fleet drivers always seem to be in their company vehicles driving their routes. Whether they are making a delivery or driving to a customer’s location for service, each week they are usually driving for miles and miles.
Although your company vehicles do need to be properly maintained and repaired periodically, changing the oil is probably the most crucial part of your fleet vehicle maintenance routine. It is very important that you remember this important step. But with everything that goes on in your fleet business, it can be simple to forget. The good news is that GPS fleet tracking can remind you of when it’s time to get an oil change for your vehicles.
Why Oil Changes are Important
Your fleet vehicle cannot run without oil. Oil keeps your engine’s components working efficiently and reduces carbon and varnish accumulation from collecting on the engine. The oil’s main job is to keep the heat away from the vehicle’s combustion chamber and prevent your engine from blowing up. Oil protects the engine and keeps it running smoothly by collecting varnish, heat and carbons which eventually turns your oil into sludge. It is at this time, that your vehicle is in a most desperate need of oil change.
But why wait until the performance of your oil damages your vehicle or makes it run less efficiently? Your fleet vehicles’ engines can begin having many problems if you don’t change the oil in them regularly. A common problem is your engine and its parts can get too hot, which causes it to run less efficiently and warp or wear out over time. These parts need to stay lubricated to avoid issues.
Severe Driving Conditions
Typically, manufacturers will advise you to change your oil every 3000 miles, though some newer cars can go well beyond this. And there are other exceptions to this. If your fleet drivers drive in severe driving conditions, for example, the oil needs to be changed more frequently. Severe driving conditions in this case include the daily conditions we face each day, such as short trips, stop and go driving, towing other items, and time spent idling. These daily driving conditions cause your oil to quickly get dirty and reduce its useful life. Your oil filter is worn down by this dirty oil which fills it with gunk and also shortens its life as well.
How GPS Can Help with your Oil Change
Changing the oil in your fleet vehicles on schedule is very important and shouldn’t be overlooked. Besides, it is fairly inexpensive and preserves your vehicles. You can set up your GPS fleet tracking devices to alert your drivers when it’s time to check oil levels and to get the oil changed if needed.
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