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title: "Common Mistakes & FAQ's"
canonical: "https://flagshiphelpcenter.myekos.com/space/EHC1/3310256153/Common%20Mistakes%20%26%20FAQ's"
format: markdown
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> Macro (toc)

# **Common Mistakes**

Setting up PM Programs and Service Reminders in EKOS is simple once you understand how the pieces fit together. Below are the most common mistakes users make—and how to avoid them.


These tips will help keep your system clean, accurate, and easy to manage as your fleet grows.

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## Creating Too Many PM Programs

Some users create **multiple PM Programs with only one schedule in each**, such as:

- *Diesel Oil Change Program*
- *Diesel Tire Program*
- *Diesel Inspection Program*
- *Diesel Brake Program*
- *Diesel Filter Program*


There is **nothing technically wrong** with doing it this way — EKOS will still generate the correct reminders and the system will still work.

However, this setup becomes harder to manage as your fleet grows.


**Why this becomes a problem**

When each schedule lives in its own program, you end up with:

- Many PM Programs to scroll through
- Extra clicks every time you assign programs to vehicles
- Difficulty remembering which programs to assign to each vehicle
- More chances to accidentally assign the wrong thing

While it still works, it’s not the *smoothest* way to manage preventive maintenance.


**Better Practice: Group Schedules Together by Vehicle Type**

A cleaner, easier way is to group all schedules that belong to the same type of vehicle into **one PM Program**.

### **Good Example**

**Diesel Bus PM Program**

Includes:

- Oil Change
- Annual Inspection
- Tire Rotation

### **Why this is better**

- You assign **one** PM Program instead of three
- It’s easier to set up new vehicles
- Editing is faster (change a schedule once → all vehicles update)
- PM Programs stay neat and organized

### *Important: You’re Not Losing Flexibility*


Even when you group multiple schedules inside one PM Program, EKOS still creates:

- **Separate reminders**
- With **separate due dates**
- Based on **your meter and time intervals**


So instead of three PM Programs with one reminder each…

You now have **one PM Program with three reminders each**.


The reminders work exactly the same — it’s just easier for you to manage.

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## **Thinking a Bigger PM Program Means More Work on Work Orders**

Some users believe that if a PM Program has seven schedules, they must add all seven to every Work Order.

**This is NOT how EKOS works.**


Work Orders only show **reminders**, not the program they came from.

So whether you use 7 programs with 1 schedule each or 1 program with 7 schedules, you will still see:

- 7 reminders
- You can complete 1
- Or several
- Or all at once

No extra work. Just better organization.

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## **Misunderstanding the Static Schedule Toggle**

Static schedules are for maintenance tied to a **fixed date** every year.


Common mistake:

Users leave static OFF for items like annual inspections that must always occur in the same month (ex: every February).

### **What happens when Static is OFF**

Completing the work early changes the next due date (e.g., completed in December → due next December).


### **What happens when Static is ON**

The reminder stays tied to the correct calendar date

(ex: completes in December → still due next February).


Use static for:

- State inspections
- Emissions tests
- DOT annual inspections
- Any date that should never “move”

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