Company vehicles can experience a lot of wear and tear, which is why you should have a company vehicle protection checklist. Commercial vehicles are essential to many businesses, which is why owners and employees should monitor their vehicles regularly. Flat tires, cracked windshields and broken taillights should be fixed as soon as possible because driving an unsafe vehicle — even for a short time — is never a good idea.
But what about hazards that aren’t in plain sight? Warning signs are often below the vehicle’s hood or its underbody. Visiting a professional mechanic is the best option for vehicle maintenance and inspections but going through a company vehicle protection checklist regularly can help identify smaller issues before they become bigger problems.
What can be included in a company vehicle protection checklist
Tire maintenance
Just looking at or kicking a tire isn’t a safe way to verify air pressure. If a tire is visibly damaged or flat, call a mechanic or a roadside assistance company immediately. It’s important to use a tire pressure gauge every week to make sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications. Inflation recommendations vary by vehicle so be sure to consult your owner’s manual.
It’s virtually impossible to check a tire’s tread depth without the proper tools. It’s important to use a tire depth gauge to regularly measure your vehicle’s tires. The Government of Ontario recommends replacing vehicle tires when dread depth is less than 1.5 mm. If your vehicle weighs more than 4,500 kilograms than it’s advised to replace tires if they have less than 3 mm of tread. Tires older than 10 years, regardless of tread, should also be replaced. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your municipalities tire safety recommendations and regulations.
It’s also important to make sure your spare tire is in good condition. Since they’re often stowed away in a trunk compartment, it’s easy to forget about spare tires but extremely important that you and your employees don’t. Tire maintenance is extremely important especially in the winter months.
Checking under the hood
Conducting regular checks to a few key aspects of your vehicle can help identify any potential problems before they cause issues on the road. Vehicle owner’s manuals are great resources to help find any of the parts below, and if you’re ever having trouble your local mechanic is a great person to ask for help.
Air filter: Clean filters allow more air intake and can result in better gas mileage. Filters that are brown or black are ready to be replaced so it’s best to check them every month.
- Coolant levels: Your vehicle’s radiator cools your engine and needs coolant (usually mixed with antifreeze) to run. Check coolant levels after the engine has been off for a while (or else the radiator will be hot) by unscrewing the radiator’s cap and adding coolant as necessary.
- Oil: Check oil levels before turning vehicles on for the day by removing the “dipstick”, wiping it clean, reinserting it and removing it again to see whether oil is low or full. Employees checking oil is fine but it’s best to leave changing it to a professional.
- Transmission fluid: To help vehicles shift gears smoothly, check transmission fluid the same way you check oil (the transmission dipstick is usually close by). Transmission fluid is something you can top-up yourself though employees should take their vehicle to the mechanic if they notice metal flakes in their fluid.
- Battery: Employees should never replace batteries themselves, but they can check to see if it needs maintenance. Placing a voltmeter across the terminal with the engine turned off is the easiest way to make sure it has enough power. You can also inspect the terminals to make sure there’s no corrosion buildup.
Ensure you’re protected
Tires with worn out tread, radiator with no coolant and every other issue above can be a hidden hazard without proper maintenance and a vehicle protection checklist. The best way to ensure your company vehicles are safe to drive is taking a proactive, preventative approach to maintaining them. A maintenance schedule, training, or anything else to help employees mitigate hidden hazards will go a long way towards keeping your company vehicles, staff and business safe.
Despite your best efforts to prevent emergencies, unforeseen circumstances can still arise. That’s why it’s crucial to maximize your preparedness. One way you can do this is with the right commercial auto insurance, having the right insurance policy can help ensure that your business can continue to operate in the event of a loss. To learn more about how insurance can help protect your business, visit our business insurance page today.
This blog is provided for information only and is not a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and will not be responsible for any loss arising out of reliance on the information. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply to coverage. See policy for details.