ForConstructionPros.com

For contractors operating fleets of vehicles it appears 2007 will offer models that sacrifice miles per gallon to improve the environment, and offer a variety of technological improvements that will not only require a change of maintenance practices but, predictably, will require more maintenance parts and result in increased labor costs.

Over the past 10 years technological improvements have actually resulted in less maintenance required on fleet vehicles. Examples include:

• Extended oil changes
• Longer brake life as a result of ABS brakes
• Application-specific tires/treads that resulted in improved MPG
• Improved batteries, alternators, and starters
• Long-life lights
• Sealed front-end, universal joints
• Improved suspensions
• Longer warranties
• Engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU), or Electronic Control Module (ECM) computers

These and other improvements lead to improved, more-efficient service and maintenance at less cost. But changes and improvements in 2007 models are expected to have the opposite effect, requiring more attention to vehicle maintenance.

For example, additional diesel improvements will be implemented to further reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. Similar changes in 2006 models resulted in some environmental improvements but also lower MPG and higher operating under-hood temperatures. These higher temperatures under the hood generated premature under-hood failures, which caused higher maintenance costs. Examples are:

• Wiring insulation, connectors, and connections saw increased incidents of repair due to higher under-hood temperatures. Vibration loosened connections and harness bandings loosened harness locations causing movement and resultant insulation damage.
• Heat soaking caused higher ranges of hot and cold heat ups and cool downs, working on hose integrity and causing premature failures.

So budget for new 2007 models for added repairs in rubber hoses, insulated wires, and gaskets that deteriorate from heat – components that used to last 100,000 miles that will now last only 60,000 miles because of heat sinks.