Which statement correctly differentiates preventive and predictive maintenance?

• A. Preventive maintenance is time-based; predictive maintenance uses data to predict failures and schedule repairs.
• B. Preventive uses data to predict failures; predictive is time-based.
• C. Both are time-based.
• D. Predictive maintenance eliminates the need for maintenance.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how preventive and predictive maintenance differ comes down to how we decide when to service a machine: fixed schedules versus data-driven decisions. Preventive maintenance is scheduled at regular intervals or after a certain amount of use, regardless of the machine’s current condition. Predictive maintenance uses real-time or historical data from sensors and performance indicators to estimate when a component will fail and plan repairs just before that happens. The correct statement reflects this distinction by saying preventive maintenance is time-based and predictive maintenance uses data to predict failures and schedule repairs. The other options misstate one or both parts—for example, suggesting both are time-based, or that predictive maintenance eliminates maintenance.