“A clean vehicle is inherently a safer vehicle for several key reasons,” says Keith Bailey, strategic account specialist at Hydro-Chem Systems, a supplier of mobile washing systems.

The first of those, of course, is visibility.  

“Regular washing keeps headlights, taillights, signals and reflective materials clear of dirt and grime, ensuring maximum visibility to other drivers at greater distances,” Bailey says.

Implementing proper cleaning protocols also helps prevent critical systems failures. Dirt, mud and road salt are known to heavily corrode undercarriage components over time.

Routine cleaning prevents premature rust and deterioration of vital safety systems, including brake lines, valves and steerage linkages.

Cleaner trucks also mean easier inspection and earlier detection of any potential issues.

“A clean undercarriage allows mechanics and operators to quickly spot fluid leaks, cracks, or worn parts during routine inspections before a catastrophic failure occurs on the road,” Bailey explains.

Bailey recommends four top priorities that a fleet manager should establish as part of a regular vehicle cleaning protocol:

• Establish a scalable cleaning strategy: Choose a washing system that’s tailored to your fleet size, operational demands and climates. “Large fleets typically require automated in-house systems to handle volume efficiently, whereas smaller fleets can utilize hand-washing or commercial retail wash facilities,” Bailey notes. As for the climate piece, if you’re located in the northern part of the country that uses a lot of road salt, aim for weekly washes in the winter and bi-weekly washes in summer.
• Prioritize undercarriage cleaning: Fleets will often focus on the sides of their vehicles to maintain their visual mobile billboard, but the undercarriage requires equal attention to remove salt, chemical de-icers and mud that cause severe rust and mechanical failures.
• Protect graphics and maintain warranties: “Ensure that the chosen cleaning method does not damage custom graphics or vehicle wraps,” Bailey advises. “Standard friction brushes can dull finishes, strip protective coatings and void manufacturer warranties.” Employing touchless washing methods, as recommended by major graphic suppliers like 3M, safeguards your expensive branding investments and maintains warranty compliance.
• Instill a culture of fleet pride: Once an efficient, reliable cleaning method is in place, Bailey says, set clear expectations for drivers and operators. Fleet managers should be transitioning from relatively passive policies, like recommending washing one’s truck weekly, to firmer standards like not permitting dirty vehicles on the road at all. That way, your entire team owns the policy, and fleet pride becomes an inherent value across your operation.