Now more than ever, it's critical for fleet owners to prioritize the health and longevity of their vehicles—and fortunately, there are some simple ways to do that. We spoke with Jenny Baker-Ford, Manager of Fleet Maintenance at Mike Albert, to discuss her top recommendations for getting the most miles out of your current fleet.
All these recommendations share a common foundation: a future-focused mindset. Fleet management is complex, so it makes sense that many fleet managers tend to focus their energies on the most immediate and pressing issues. However, when it comes to navigating uncertain economic times, playing the long game is crucial.
"If you know you'll need to keep your vehicles for another year or two, you have to shift your focus from month-to-month to the future ahead," says Baker-Ford. "You need to ensure that your existing fleet is maintained well enough to extend the vehicles' life long enough to fill your anticipated gap."
Here are three key elements to extending your vehicles' lives through comprehensive maintenance.
Follow factory-recommended maintenance schedules.
It may seem obvious, but it's essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations when you need to extend the life of your vehicles. "When an OEM puts out a factory-recommended schedule, it's so important for fleet managers to adhere to that recommendation," says Baker-Ford. "A bare-bones approach to maintenance isn't going to cut it anymore."
To that end, she says, fleet managers should take care to conduct maintenance beyond the standard oil changes and tire rotations, and follow the OEM recommended schedules for brake fluid flushes, transmission flushes, and differential services. "Performing these maintenance items can go a long way to keeping your vehicle in top condition," she says. "And if you skimp on those services, you're likely going to have bigger problems down the road."
Stay ahead of problems with predictive maintenance.
One unanticipated repair can be enough to make you wish you hadn't tried to extend the life of a vehicle. "With vehicle health monitoring, you can anticipate some mechanical issues before they become pricey problems," says Baker-Ford. "Thanks to telematics, fleet managers have something akin to a crystal ball, allowing them a glimpse into the future."
For example, the Albert IQ system from Mike Albert collects hundreds of mechanical diagnostics from each vehicle, analyzes this extensive data, and focuses on the 40+ most critical indicators. It scores potential issues by importance and cross-references information to uncover the root causes of problems.
The platform generates real-time health reports for each vehicle and creates prioritized maintenance tickets. It also tracks open OEM recall notices to ensure regulatory compliance. What truly sets Albert IQ apart is the human expertise behind the technology—Mike Albert's ASE-certified maintenance team reviews all tickets, consolidates alerts requiring immediate attention, and sends notifications to both fleet administrators and drivers through email and our Overdrive mobile app.
A real-world example demonstrates this value proposition: When Albert IQ detected an overcharging battery and generated a "red alert," immediate notification allowed the driver to address a failed alternator for $595. Without early detection, the problem could have escalated to wiring harness damage, battery meltdown, or electronic module failure, costing between $900 and $4,500. The system saved significant repair costs, minimized downtime, and ensured both the driver and vehicle remained safe and productive.
Extending vehicle life and saving money.
Armed with easily accessible data, Mike Albert helped multi-billion-dollar construction firm Big-D identify their costliest maintenance expenses and suggested a preventive maintenance program that has driven costs down significantly. In addition, by utilizing Mike Albert-approved repair shops 90% of the time or more, the company saved nearly $100,000 in just one year. That's because Mike Albert negotiates better rates with these shops—and ensures that every maintenance service is, indeed, necessary.
Lean on fleet experts when you need them.
"As a fleet manager, you have a laundry list of responsibilities to tend to—so don't be afraid to reach out for help or advice when you need it," says Baker-Ford. "This is especially true when it comes to fleet vehicle maintenance."
"There's no shame in consulting an expert if you don't know an answer," notes Baker-Ford. "For example, if you didn't perform your transmission flush and it's 20,000 miles overdue, I recommend calling your local dealer or a shop you trust and ask them how to proceed."
Additionally, working with a fleet management company, she notes, can provide another layer of expertise that helps optimize fleet maintenance.
By prioritizing comprehensive maintenance and health monitoring to keep your existing vehicles in top condition, you'll be well-positioned to ride out the ups and downs caused by tariffs and other economic factors.
For assistance with upgrading your vehicle maintenance and health monitoring programs, contact Mike Albert today.
