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What if we told you that maintenance isn’t just something your fleet does — it’s everything your fleet is?
In Episode 65 of Straight Talk on Fleet, IntelliShift’s VP of Fleet Evangelism Erin Gilchrist sits down with Stefano Denari, Fleetio’s Fleet Ecosystem Strategist, for a raw, insightful look into what fleet maintenance should be doing for your business (and what it’s costing you when it’s not).
If you’re a fleet leader, you already know: maintenance is tough. But it doesn’t have to be this tough. Not when you’ve got the right strategy, tools, and, most importantly, culture.
Key Takeaways
“Any organization that manages vehicles and equipment to serve their customers is in the maintenance business,” Stefano says. The sooner your team sees maintenance as an investment rather than a drain, the sooner you start winning.
"We have this idea that we can go from zero to perfect overnight... but you have to get the ball rolling first," Stefano explains. Start by fixing one process. Build from there.
From FMCSA violations to missed customer appointments to driver retention, maintenance affects every part of your fleet operation. A reactive approach doesn’t just cost money—it costs your reputation.
According to Stefano, the average preventive maintenance program can reduce breakdowns by 70%. That’s a stat worth taking to leadership.
"Talk to your drivers," Erin urges. "They can tell you what’s going on. If something isn’t getting done, they probably know why."
Why This Matters
Your vehicles may be where the dollars go, but your people are where the value is created. A reactive maintenance culture puts both at risk. If your drivers don’t trust their equipment or your techs can’t keep up with breakdowns, it impacts morale, safety, efficiency, and your ability to serve customers.
It’s time to stop seeing maintenance as the “problem child” of your organization. With the right mindset, smart tech integrations, and better cross-team collaboration, maintenance becomes a lever for growth—not just a line item.
Ready to Rethink Fleet Maintenance?
Listen to the complete episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Subscribe to Straight Talk on Fleet for weekly insights designed to elevate your fleet management operations and career.
