2. Types of Vehicle Maintenance: Preventive, Corrective and Predictive
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance, as its name suggests, is a proactive approach to keeping your vehicle in good working order. It involves carrying out regular checks and replacing parts that are subject to wear and tear before they break or cause other damage to the vehicle.
This maintenance is usually based on a schedule defined by the vehicle manufacturer, which may include items such as changing oil, replacing air and fuel filters, checking fluid levels, inspecting belts and hoses, among others. Preventive maintenance can prevent costly repairs in the future, improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency, and extend its lifespan.
Corrective Maintenance
The corrective maintenance is carried out after the occurrence of a failure or defect in the vehicle. It may involve repairing or replacing parts that have failed or are damaged. Corrective maintenance can be as simple as replacing a burnt-out light bulb or as complex as repairing a damaged engine.
While corrective maintenance may be unavoidable in some cases, it is generally more expensive and time-consuming than preventive maintenance. This is because, in addition to repair or replacement costs, there may be additional costs associated with discontinuing use of the vehicle. Furthermore, unforeseen failures can cause additional damage to other parts of the vehicle.
Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is a relatively new approach to vehicle maintenance that uses advanced technology to predict failures before they occur. This is done by continuously monitoring the performance and condition of the vehicle and analyzing the collected data to identify signs of potential problems.
For example, a predictive maintenance system can monitor engine vibration to detect imbalances that could indicate a problem with the crankshaft. Or you can monitor engine temperature to identify potential overheating issues. When a possible problem is detected, the system can alert the driver or automatically schedule a maintenance.
Predictive maintenance can be more expensive to implement than preventive or corrective maintenance, as it often requires specialized equipment and software. However, it can result in significant savings in the long run, avoiding costly repairs and extending the life of your vehicle.
In conclusion, each type of vehicle maintenance has its own advantages and disadvantages. Preventive maintenance can prevent problems before they occur, but it may not identify all possible problems. Corrective maintenance may be required after a failure, but it can be expensive and time consuming. Predictive maintenance can predict problems before they occur, but it can be expensive to implement. Therefore, the best approach may be a combination of these three types of maintenance.
