What does the 6S inspection of a vehicle refer to?
4 Answers
6S stands for Sort (SEIRI), Set in order (SEITON), Shine (SEISOU), Standardize (SEIKETSU), Sustain (SHITSUKEI), and Safety (SAFETY). Later, because safety is also a very important item in factory management, and the English pronunciation of safety also starts with S, it was added to the 5S and collectively referred to as 6S. The following is a detailed introduction: 1. "Sort": It is to distinguish between the things that are needed and not needed (excess tools, materials, semi-finished products, finished products, stationery, etc.) in the company (factory). Move the unnecessary things away from the workplace, concentrate and classify them for identification management, so that the workplace only retains the necessary things, making the workplace neat and beautiful, and allowing workers to work in a comfortable environment. 2. "Set in order": It is to quantify, locate, and identify the things that have been sorted out and are needed in the workplace, and store them where they can be easily accessed when needed, so as to reduce the time wasted in searching for items. 3. "Shine": It is to make the workplace free of garbage and dirt, and the equipment free of dust and oil stains, that is, to regularly clean the things that have been sorted and set in order to maintain a state where they can be used at any time. This is the first purpose. The second purpose is to visually inspect, touch, smell, and listen during the cleaning process to discover the root cause of abnormalities and improve them. "Shine" is to clean both the surface and the inside (visible and invisible places). 4. "Standardize": It is to maintain the clean state after sorting, setting in order, and shining, and more importantly, to find the root cause and eliminate it. For example, the source of dirt in the workplace, the oil leakage point that causes oil stains on the equipment, and the looseness of the equipment. 5. "Sustain": It is for all employees to participate in the work of sorting, setting in order, shining, and standardizing, maintaining a neat and clean working environment, and to formulate various relevant standards for everyone to comply with in order to do this work well, so that everyone can develop the habit of complying with the standards. 6. "Safety": It is to eliminate or prevent the sources of safety accidents in the workplace (such as oil stains on the ground, blocked aisles, blocked safety doors, ineffective fire extinguishers, materials and finished products piled too high with the risk of collapse, etc.).
The 6S vehicle inspection is typically a systematic maintenance procedure, which I understand to include a comprehensive evaluation of six key areas: first, a safety check covering the braking system, steering system, and safety devices such as seat belts; second, a functional check, including the operation of the engine, transmission, and electronic equipment; third, a cleanliness check, addressing the hygiene of the exterior and interior; fourth, a tire inspection, checking air pressure and wear conditions; fifth, an assessment of the lubrication and cooling systems; and finally, standardized documentation to ensure all results are recorded for tracking purposes. This method originates from management principles, and when I implemented a simplified version on my own car, I found it helps identify potential issues in advance and prevents sudden breakdowns. Conducting this type of inspection regularly is highly worthwhile, especially before long-distance driving, as it helps protect personal safety and extends the vehicle's lifespan. I recommend performing a core check once a month.
When it comes to the 6S vehicle inspection, I see it as a practical method to maintain optimal car condition. Its six components may cover safety items (like brakes and lights), performance items (engine and suspension), hygiene items (cleaning dirt), tire items (pressure and tread), electrical items (battery and wiring), and maintenance items (standardized records). I often pay attention to these points when using the car, performing simple checks. For example, dim lights might indicate a contact issue, which can be resolved immediately. Promoting this kind of inspection is effective in preventing road risks and can also save on repair costs. I advocate for new drivers to develop this habit, as driving comfortably relies on it.
The 6S vehicle inspection is a standardized process that I have effectively implemented in fleet maintenance to enhance efficiency. The six steps include safety checks (braking and steering functions), functional inspections (engine and suspension), cleaning maintenance (removing oil stains), tire condition assessment (wear and pressure), electrical system checks (lights and battery), and documentation management (recording results). This ensures all vehicles are safe and compliant, significantly reducing accident risks. After our team began performing these inspections regularly, we observed a substantial decrease in maintenance expenditures.
