Fleet management has always been a data game. Every route, tank of gas, and maintenance schedule relies on accurate data to optimize your fleet management solutions. A big part of this is accurate odometer readings, both lifetime distances and intervals between temporary resets. Odometers allow you to measure how far a vehicle has driven over a set period of time by taking readings at recorded intervals.
While we once relied on drivers and maintenance techs to take manual odometer readings, modern telematics typically make it easier to log odometer miles automatically. However, whether you use manual or automatic methods, accurate odometer readings are essential to a well-managed fleet for six important reasons.
1) Time Your Preventative Maintenance
Fleet vehicle maintenance can be scheduled in weeks or miles. Oil changes, for example, are typically recommended based on a vehicle's odometer miles. This ensures that any vehicle that has run it's engine and rotated it's tires over the road for set distances receives the correct amount of attention. Tires are checked for safe treads, engine fluids are topped up or cycled, and moving parts like belts are inspected for damage.
Accurate odometer readings ensure that preventative and routine maintenance occur based on wear-and-tear, whether your daily routes are long or short.
2) Track the Lifecycle of Your Vehicles
A vehicle's lifespan is also typically measured in miles. In order to properly plan for vehicle rotation and long-term maintenance, you need to keep accurate track of the vehicle's lifetime odometer reading. Vehicles that are over halfway through their predicted mile lifespan will likely be cycled to lighter work, traded in, or returned to the leasing company for newer vehicles. But inaccurate odometer readings can lead to keeping a vehicle longer or cycling it too soon - losing the efficiency on either end of the equation.
3) Audit Route Accuracy and Off-Route Driving
Daily odometer readings can confirm the accuracy of your route planning. Fleet managers should know exactly how far their drivers are going each day in order to calculate timing, fuel, and other minute details that allow for performance optimization. If vehicles come back with significantly more or less miles than they should based on the route - the route may require detours or the driver may be taking off-route paths that will need to be accounted for.
Auditing daily odometer readings can also help estimate the wear-and-tear if drivers use the vehicles off-hours for personal reasons or take company vehicles home with them.
4) Track Fuel Efficiency
Once you know the exact distance a vehicle is going - or will go - each day, you can also calculate for fuel efficiency. Fuel tanks should reduce by predictable amounts each day, and the cost of fuel can be calculated based on local prices and the fleet's filling policies. If fuel is burning too fast, the vehicle may need to be inspected. If fuel costs don't match odometer readings and efficiency, you might be in a position to stop fuel fraud.
5) Billing Vehicle Usage by Third Parties
Are your fleet vehicles ever used by third parties? Depending on the fleet, you may rent out vehicles, provide cars for visiting workers, or allow workers to keep their vehicles at home between shifts. Odometer readings will tell you just how far a car was driven when it was outside of your direct control. It may allow you to bill rented usage, catch excessive personal use of company vehicles, or even identify if the vehicle went an unusual distance while it was supposed to be parked with a third party.
6) Up-to-Date Insurance Coverage
Insurance policies often request to keep track of odometer readings in order to estimate the potential cost of maintenance and repairs. Accurate odometer readings given to your insurance providers can ensure optimized policies and coverage for your fleet.
Tips for Keeping Accurate Odometer Readings
- Make the the mi/km setting is correct
- Watch for rounding consistency in recording and calculations
- Occasionally check the accuracy of telematic odometer recordings
- Reset the 'trip' odometer at specific maintenance or usage intervals
If you are seeking ways to optimize your fleet or fleet management solutions, Wilmar Inc is here to help. Our team provides expert fleet building, maintenance, management, and optimization strategies that can help your fleet achieve top performance. Contact us today to learn more.
