How Telematics Can Help Reduce the Number of Breakdowns

There are lots of factors involved in running a fleet of any size. If you’re ever in doubt about how your fleet is performing and where you can make improvements, look to your numbers. They never lie.  Using fleet management software can give you all kinds of information about your vehicles. Believe it or not, telematics can help reduce the number of breakdowns as well.

Not convinced? Let us explain.

Driver performance

Telematics can tell you a lot about your vehicles’ performance out on the road. That doesn’t just apply to its location and how far it’s travelled. The data you collect can also tell you how the vehicle is being driven.

Even with forward planning vehicles get stuck in traffic from time to time. That can lead to heavier braking and increased use of the clutch which increases wear and tear. These are all issues that could lead to breakdowns if you don’t know what’s happening. On the other hand, if you know the vehicle has had a few tough journeys you can bring it in for a planned once over. Your vehicle keeps running and you don’t have to deal with unexpected down time or recovering a vehicle that’s broken down a hundred miles away.

Fuel consumption

Every fleet manager we know keeps a close eye on fuel consumption. Your telematics data can easily tell you how your vehicles are performing. Increased fuel consumption could just be the result of a vehicle being stuck in heavy traffic. You may be able to solve the problem with an adjustment in the route your driver takes.

However if fuel consumption suddenly increases for no apparent reason it could be a sign of an underlying problem. The spark plugs might need replacing, the clutch could be worn or it could even be a sign that the tyres are wearing down. Telematics can act as an early warning system to allow you to intervene before the vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident.

Looking for patterns

Your telematics data can help you to reduce the number of breakdowns by allowing you to look for patterns.  The system of scheduled maintenance that you already have in place may not prevent every breakdown.  When you’re faced with an unexpected vehicle failure the data can tell you whether early intervention could have made a difference.  If an issue affects more than one vehicle the data will allow you to adjust your maintenance schedule to reduce the problem.

You can also change the checks that your drivers carry out.  If you’ve identified a potential problem you can add it to the list of vehicle checks that each driver completes before they start work. The advantage of a telematics system is that it allows the driver to record any issues digitally so that you’re aware of them straight away. It reduces the need for lots of paperwork that could get lost.

If you’d like to find out more about how telematics can reduce the number of breakdowns you experience, get in touch.