There are a lot of different expenses that go into keeping a commercial vehicle fleet of trucks, vans and cars well-maintained and running year-round.
Things like fuel costs, oil changes, care and maintenance for everything else under the hood, insurance and tire changes – at the end of the year, all these expenses can add up.
This, though, is the price of doing business the right way.
However, toss on top of that even larger expenses that occur when unexpected vehicle repairs and part replacements are in order. These are the expenses that truly hurt your bottom line.
Doing your due diligence and having your vehicles undergo routine maintenance and care can help avoid these kinds of disastrous expenses down the line. In other words, a little money now can save you a lot more later.
A good place to start is with your vehicles’ tires – an area that can account for the 3rd largest expense for a vehicle fleet.
Regularly check, balance and rotate tires
Taking your vehicles in to have its tires regularly inspected and maintained is the best way to not only monitor their health but keep them in the best condition possible.
Rotating tires is one of the single most important things you can do to improve the lifespan of your tires, period. Bringing tires from the front to the back and the back to the front distributes wear evenly. This will take the burden off one set of tires so they don’t wear out before the others and help them last longer.
Making sure your vehicles’ tires are balanced is equally important. Unbalanced tires may be uneven, putting more weight on a certain section of the tire. This will cause that section’s tread to wear out faster and possibly lead to unexpected problems. Keeping tires balanced distributes weight and wear.
Unbalanced tires don’t just hurt the tires, they can hurt the overall condition of the vehicle too. Unbalanced tires can cause vibrations or pull on the steering wheel that can cause issues with the wheel bearings. Unbalanced tires can also decrease your fuel economy at higher speeds.
Don’t skimp on high-quality tires
It may be tempting to try and save a couple bucks by buying used tires, less expensive (lower quality) tires or simply driving tires down until they are as bald as inner tubes. But your tires should be the last place you should consider cutting corners.
Never skimp on tires, always go with the highest-quality tire that’s in your budget. Yes, it may be more expensive up front. However, the dollars it will save you down the line are massive.
High-quality tires, if properly cared for, will last longer for your vehicles, take longer to wear down and ultimately increase the time between installation and replacement by months, maybe even years.
With poor tires, you leave yourself more vulnerable to flats, slipping and sliding in rainy or snowy conditions or even blowouts. This can lead to the need for roadside assistance or even towing service.
You are always better off going with high-quality, new tires.
Trying to find a way to manage your yearly vehicle expenses? Bring your commercial fleet of vans, trucks and cars into Raben Tire for some special treatment.
No matter what your need, Raben Tire locations are staffed with experienced, dedicated and trained associates committed to providing you with the best service and value possible.