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SEARCHFleet drivers are your first line of defense for unscheduled maintenance needs. Here's some advice to help them identify brake problems that require servicing.
Fleet drivers are your first line of defense for unscheduled maintenance needs. As a fleet manager, you need their help to identify early signs of trouble so a slowly emerging problem doesn’t develop into a major safety hazard. This is particularly true with brakes.
A number of factors can lead to premature wear-and-tear of a vehicle’s brake system – exposure to road salt, a history of aggressive driving and sudden braking, a driver whose foot habitually rides the brake, a glitch introduced during manufacturing or repair work, etc.
According to Firestone, here are some brake conditions that signal the vehicle needs to be serviced as soon as possible:
A screeching, grinding, squealing or rubbing noise
Vibration and pulsation in the pedal or steering wheel
The need to press down further to complete braking functions
A pungent burning smell near the tires
Illumination of the brake warning light.
You may want to pass this tip along to fleet drivers as a friendly reminder. Working as a team, fleet managers and drivers can help keep vehicles as safe as possible while also reducing vehicle downtimes and repair costs.
Additionally, some drivers – those who aren’t necessarily avid car or truck DIYers – may want to watch a video reviewing how a vehicle’s disc brakes work. To view the video, which ACDelco produced, just click on the photo or link above.
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