Tips for Looking After Your Company Vehicle

If you’re relying on a vehicle for work, then you have a duty to keep it in good working order. Doing so will allow you to get the best out of the vehicle for the longest possible time – and it might also result in safety improvements.

When you don’t actually own the vehicle, you might be obligated by the terms of your employment contract to perform a little bit of basic maintenance. But exactly what does that maintenance look like?

Regularly Inspect and Maintain Tyres

Your tyres are the parts of the vehicle that actually contact the road surface. Keeping them in good shape will allow you to maintain maximum traction, which can drive up fuel efficiency while driving down the risk of an accident.

Specifically, you’ll want to regularly inflate your tyres to the pressure described in the vehicle’s manual. It’s also worth examining the tread depth. When it approaches the legal minimum of 1.6mm, you’ll probably benefit from a replacement tyre.

It’s a good idea to find a local fitter. If you’re based in Buckinghamshire, for example, you might look for tyre fitters in Buckingham.

Adhere to Scheduled Servicing

Keeping the vehicle in the best possible condition means adhering to the service intervals recommended by the manufacturer. This might mean bringing the car in to be serviced after a particular number of miles, or after a certain time has elapsed. You can supplement more exhaustive annual servicing with more regular check-ups. This will allow you to spot small problems before they have a chance to escalate.

Keep the Vehicle Clean

The cleanliness of your vehicle might also matter, especially if you’re eventually going to need to hand the vehicle over to a colleague, or provide lifts to other people in your professional capacity. When dirt and grime are allowed to persist inside the vehicle, it can inflict long-term damage. Plus, a dirty vehicle might reflect poorly on you as a professional and thereby harm your career prospects.

Monitor Fluid Levels

Your car relies on a number of essential fluids, like oil, coolant, brake fluid, and screenwash. Topping these up where necessary is often essential to the long-term functioning of the vehicle. You might also find specialised versions of these substances, which are designed to cope with freezing temperatures. If you know you’re going to be driving a lot during winter, it might be worth making the switch.

Understand Your Responsibilities

As part of the agreement that allows you to drive the car, you might have declared yourself willing to not only look after the vehicle, but also report on any problems. Compliance will allow you to avoid negative consequences – legal and otherwise.