Maintenance Cost or Routine Service
There is an inherent cost of ownership with anything that is yours.
- When you sign up for a vacation, you are signing up to buy food and souvenirs for the kids.
- When you buy a house, you have to pay the taxes.
- When you buy a computer, you have to buy internet service access to make it useful, and
- When you buy a vehicle you commit yourself to pay for the maintenance costs associated with that vehicle.
Fire Trucks are no different.
Vehicles of all types are fascinating and complicated.
There are so many different systems, valves, engines, power sources, cooling systems, hoses, needed lubrication, etc. that all function in nearly perfect unison to do the simple job of moving us from place to place. And, in the case of fire trucks, all these systems have to work together to move the pump and a little water to the place where it is most needed. Then shift that power into moving water onto the fire... like they say "put the wet stuff on the red stuff".
"Maintenance costs" are distinct from "Repair costs".
Maintenance costs cover specifically the items that must be maintained at particular intervals, (hours, miles, time, etc.), to keep all the systems of a vehicle running in good order. Most commonly this means fluids and filters. It can also extend to other items which can be considered "consumable" but aren't maintained on as often a schedule. These could include belts, tires, gaskets, pump packing, aerial slide pads or cables, and even pump valves or larger items.
The items covered in "maintenance" are serviced by dealers or other authorized service providers. Manufacturers provide specific guidelines over which these items should be at a minimum reviewed, or replaced, all falling within the umbrella of "service" or PM inspections, (preventative maintenance).
Overall, maintenance is always an item that should be recognized, given great importance, and budgeted when you make the investment for a vehicle. This ensures you maximize both the experience you have with the vehicle while it's in service and the liquidation value of the vehicle once you sell it or trade it in.
Next, we will discuss one of the biggest variables in the cost of a vehicle.... repair costs.
Total Cost of Ownership - The Series
Total Cost of Ownership - the overview
- Total Cost of Ownership. - soft costs (travel - meetings - etc.)
- Total Cost of Ownership - truck purchase price
- Total Cost of Ownership - financing costs
