Fleet drivers are risking breakdowns through ignorance about modern cars and lack of basic maintenance, according to RAC research.
Fleet drivers are risking breakdowns through ignorance about modern cars and lack of basic maintenance, according to RAC research.
RAC’s monthly vehicle fault analysis (VFA) reports – supplied to fleets and car manufacturers to help rectify automotive problems – have revealed the top “driver-induced” reasons for breakdowns.
While the statistics show some “usual suspects” for breakdown call-outs, including wheel changing (number one problem) and contamination of diesel engines with petrol (number three problem), others illustrate both lack of car knowledge and the quirks of modern vehicle technology.
As Elvin Ravenscroft, technical support manager at RAC, says: “Fleet drivers are often unfamiliar with the vehicle they’re driving, especially in the case of hire cars, and they don’t bother to read the hand book.”
The problem of “no fault found” – where a driver has reported a fault based on a noise or smell and the RAC patrol has found no fault – has become the second most common driver problem.
Ravenscroft explains: “One of the regular culprits when we find no fault with a driver’s car is the remote key fob. These tend to operate on a similar radio frequency to television set top boxes and wireless door bells, causing intermittent interference which stops the driver from disarming the alarm or opening the door remotely.
“Unfortunately, the drivers themselves don’t realise the fob often contains a manual key that can be used to open the door and start the vehicle.”
Fleet calls to RAC because of having no spare tyre is another problem, with drivers leaving a punctured tyre in the boot from a previous wheel change and failing to have it repaired.
In addition, the advent of modern tyre repair kits – using a tyre filling foam dispensed from canisters – have generated an increase in call outs as the driver either doesn’t want, or doesn’t know how, to operate the canister.
The size of many current fleet vehicles – such as 4x4s - also puts drivers off changing tyres themselves. Alloy wheel nuts present an extra challenge, especially when corrosion sets in and the wheel gets stuck to the wheel hub. However, this issue can be overcome by suitable anti-seize grease being applied when the car is serviced.
Flat batteries come well within the top 20 driver-related faults but, again, the problems are preventable.
Ravenscroft adds: “Forgetting to switch off interior and exterior lights is a bigger problem with cars today as modern batteries are designed for a high discharge of power when starting the car, but not for a constant, steady power flow as in the case of lights. However, as a result of RAC feeding back its data to vehicle manufacturers, they are modifying their vehicles to prevent this happening by incorporating changes into future vehicle designs.
“Equally, fleet drivers are equipped with more and more on-board electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones, PCs and navigation systems, that drain car batteries quickly. To tackle this, it’s good to run the engine and replenish the charge after using mobile equipment or get a garage to fit a larger capacity battery.”
Air conditioning – the staple of the modern car - is also tricking drivers into thinking there’s a breakdown fault, calling out help when they see a pool of water under the car. In fact, it’s condensed moisture from the AC system draining from the vehicle.
RAC’s VFA reports can provide fault summaries for fleets and manufacturers based on both driver-induced and mechanical faults. The data covers 400 fault types and identifies the reason for failure and potential remedies.
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RAC Press office contact:
Jon Day on 01603 209287/07800 690555
Adam Cracknell on 01603 684916/07800 688517
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About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
Aviva bought RAC in May 2005. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14%.
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