We did some math and have some ideas to help you maximize your time, and in return the value you create. The average commute time to a local auto shop to swing in for maintenance is 15 minutes, not too bad. The average check in time, repair time, and checkout time is 1.25 hours. This is for minor repair and maintenance like oil changes, fluids, lights, and wipers. So we aren’t talking about engine replacements, just general auto maintenance. With the total time for general maintenance you are into it for about 1.5 hours.

With a mobile auto service like Fleet Advisor, the average call out fee or increased labor rate for mobile service is $40 total for the job. You can have a master technician come to you and save you 1.5 hours for $40. If you value your professional time above $26 per hour, it makes financial sense to have a Fleet Advisor mobile technician come to your home or office to take care of maintenance like oil changes, brakes, and more. We can do tires on site, we can do new windshields on site. I hope this helps paint a picture of the financial value of a mobile auto service vs waiting.

The post To wait at the Auto shop or not to wait? appeared first on Fleet Advisor.

Mobile detailing is exactly what it sounds like – a professional service that brings a top to bottom car detail directly to wherever you are around the Denver, Co metro area.These services have become more and more popular over the years as people look to spend a little bit more money in exchange for time saved.

There are several different options to consider regarding mobile detailing, which we’ll cover below:

WATERLESS OR TRADITIONAL?

There are some companies that offer full-blown car washes, packing a portable pressure washer into a well-equipped van. This option delivers a thorough and traditional wash, getting your car squeaky clean from top to bottom. Because these services have more equipment and overhead needs, they’re more expensive than the next option.

A waterless wash uses a highly lubricated formula with mild cleaning agents to clean your car’s surface without a hose and bucket. Traditionally these products have carried some risk of paint damage, but recent advances in technology allow modern products to encapsulate dirt and grit to be wiped away without scratching. As long as the detailing company uses precaution, and your car isn’t too dirty, a waterless wash will get your car looking amazing at less of a premium than the traditional method.

INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR ONLY?

With an exterior-only wash, you’re on your own regarding those dirty floorboards and the loose French fry you dropped earlier in the week. The detailer will clean your paint, windows, tires and rims and the outside of your car will look showroom ready; but inside your car will be exactly the way you left it. If you’re a meticulous person this is a great option, because you don’t need to find time to hand off the keys and the service is cheaper.

If however, your car interior can get out of hand without special attention then you might want to consider a full detail. Your mobile detailing professional will meet you at a predetermined time to hand off the keys, and then get to work. Expect your interior services including cupholders and air vents to get a wipe down. Additionally, the floorboards and seats will get a vacuum so there is no debris or dirt floating around. If your car has leather, you’ll also get a special conditioner applied to prevent UV damage. This service costs more but completes the feeling of having the car completely clean and ready.

TOP 5 PRODUCTS FOR MOBILE DETAILERS

#1) GLASS CLEANER

You don’t want your detailer using an all-purpose product on your glass because streaks are certain to occur.

#2) TIRE SHINE

Nothing completes a great detail job quite like a slick black tire. The level of gloss is up to you, and most professionals will tailor it to your request.

#3) RIM CLEANER

Brake dust is notoriously hard to remove with regular soap and water, so a specialty product is a must if you hope to get wheels looking perfect.

#4) MICROFIBER TOWELS

The old standby, it’s not a sexy choice – but a necessary one.

#5) WHEEL BRUSH

Again, a stream of water isn’t going to tackle brake dust well enough. A stiff bristled brush will do the job.

The services we offer for our Denver, CO mobile detailing service are below:

Hand wash, Wheel and Tire cleaning, Window cleaning, Vacuuming, Interior cleaning and detailing, upholstery and carpet cleaning, interior conditioning and protectant, Exterior protection, paint cleaning, paint correction, paint enhancements, and more. We operate our detail service for both individuals and fleets. Anything from your car, suv, truck, boat, or Rv to fleet cars, trucks, medium duty, heavy duty, equipment, and trailers. We also polish aluminum.

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There is so much more to a clean fleet than simply looking good. The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rules and regulations are putting more pressure on companies and corporations to keep their fleet in good condition at all times. With the tighter inspection protocols implemented by the DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on trucks and motor coaches, CMV drivers and operators are pushed to go the extra mile in order to maintain their trucks to government standards.

The FMCSA’s precautionary measures aren’t just intended to look good on paper, but actually serve a very important safety purpose. Several analyses have led the agency to the conclusion that there is still a lot to be done in terms of making roads safer by regulating trucks. Spills and rollovers are still a leading cause of highway injuries and fatalities. While a number of factors contribute to these incidents, maintaining a clean fleet reduces risk by increasing driver visibility, making trucks more visible to other drivers, and making sure that all headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are unobstructed by dirt and grime.

With these tough new government regulations in place, it can be tricky to maintain your fleet to the government’s ever-increasing standards. Fleet Advisor is here to help.

How Will Fleet Washing Help?

Part of the FMCSA inspection is determining whether a driver can see clearly from behind the wheel. This inspection is especially important in preventing rollovers and collisions. Fleet Advisors high-quality washing service is a cost-effective way to help your trucks pass inspection.

A clean fleet will also help with fuel efficiency, minimizing both your fuel costs and your environmental impact. This is because dirty trucks have decreased performance. You might not think that a coat of mud can make a big difference, but over the course of the long haul, the decrease in fuel efficiency will add up at the pump. It makes sense to keep your fleet clean and streamlined, especially when you consider just how many miles per year your fleet travels. Can you really afford to waste gas money shipping ugly mud across the country?

The post Can Fleet Washing Help on Annual DOT Inspections appeared first on Fleet Advisor.

The most obvious negative impact of winter weather is on safety. Slicker roads, poor visibility, and increased driver fatigue all result from the Colorado snowstorms and freezing temperatures associated with winter. However, there’s a lot that can be done to maximize a driver’s chance of staying safe on the road.

Tires are the most important thing to check out.

Tires are the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road. As such, not only are they the single component most responsible for a vehicle’s traction on the road surface, but they can also provide valuable indication of whether a vehicle’s other components need maintenance. Let’s have a conversation about what tires will best suit your fleet for the winter.

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Tires should be well maintained year-round, but they become even more important in winter when vehicles have to deal with inclement weather. Uneven tread wear not only presents a danger on the road but can also be the telltale sign of maintenance that has been neglected elsewhere. Uneven wear on treads could point to problems with alignment, or even larger problems with wheel-ends or steering components. Fleet Advisor is a partner with great alignment shops.

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Speaking of wheel-ends, winter contributes to the ease of their visual inspection. In summertime, wheel-end temperature needs to be measured with a thermometer. In the colder winter climate, though, a wheel-end that is overheating will give off a telltale excess of steam. Overheated wheel-ends indicate a lack of lubrication or improper clearances and should be immediately serviced if spotted.  

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Apart from safety concerns winter also impacts a vehicle fleet’s performance. Cooler ambient temperatures cause tires to lose pressure, increasing their rolling resistance and decreasing the vehicle’s MPG. Increased aerodynamic drag associated with colder temperatures represents a further loss of fleet efficiency. Fleet Advisor can swing by with a mobile fleet service unit to pump up those tires at the beginning of the winter season to ensure minimum loss of mpg efficiency.

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A certain loss of fleet efficiency is inevitable during winter, but that loss will only be compounded if you go into the season with improperly maintained vehicles. Preparation and prevention are key to saving time and money over the winter months. Accordingly, vehicles should go into winter at their best.

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Comprehensive preventative maintenance at the end of autumn will save money by the beginning of spring.

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Tires need to be rotated, wheel-ends inspected, and the fuel system purged of water. Water turns to ice when it’s freezing cold outside. Ice in the fuel system dents efficiency, but it’s easy to fortify the vulnerable parts of the system.

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The filters and water separators are the parts of a fuel system most likely to accumulate water ice. Filters should be cleaned and water separators should be drained before the first cold-snap of the season. Fuel and coolant lines are especially vulnerable to cracking in freezing temperatures, and they should be patched or replaced if worn.

Our On-Site fleet service team can come and perform a winter engine temperature test to ensure that your fleets coolant/antifreeze levels are set correctly to avoid costly engine problems due to freezing.

Maybe the most overlooked aspect of winter weather is its effect on diesel fuel itself.

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 Diesel reacts poorly to colder temperatures. 75% of diesel fuel is comprised of saturated hydrocarbons called paraffins. There’s a lot of complicated chemistry behind it, but it’s easiest to think of these paraffins as kind of like a wax candle.

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A candle is solid at room temperature, but its wax melts into a liquid when you get it hot.  Diesel fuel is essentially like candle wax, but it’s liquid at room temperature and it explodes when you get it hot.

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Just like hot liquid candle wax starts to turn into a gel when it cools, diesel fuel is known to “gel up” when ambient temperatures get colder than about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the “wax” in the diesel becomes too solid to flow through fuel systems, rendering a diesel engine inoperative.

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There are a few ways to stop diesel from “gelling up.” The easiest is to keep your vehicles warm. Whenever possible diesel vehicles should be stored in heated garages in the winter months to ensure that they’ll start and run when they’re needed. Indoor storage isn’t a reality for every operation. Our Mobile On-Site Denver, CO fleet service team can come and check the operation of your block heater or install a block heater which allows you to plug in your diesel truck at night and keeps it warm and ready to fire up in the morning. If worst comes to worst, give Fleet Advisor a call and we can walk you through some tips to get that thing started up on a cold morning. Or send one of our on-site technicians to help.

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Whether it’s roads, drivers, tires, fuel systems, or the fuel itself, winter presents challenges for every commercial fleet. But with good planning and proactive maintenance, your vehicles can weather this difficult season.

Always remember to take advantage of our on-site DOT inspection program in order to catch these little problems before they are big problems. FMCSA annual DOT inspections for vehicles of all sizes with mobile and onsite inspections available.

Your last reminder, check out our fleet washing program to keep your fleet free from winter road crum and help you have clear and safe visibility.

The post Winter. Winter. Winter. How to prep your fleet appeared first on Fleet Advisor.

Changing the oil of every vehicle in your entire fleet may sound daunting, but it’s a crucial part of fleet maintenance. If you let your vehicles go too long without an oil change, it will start to muck up your engine and ultimately, reduce the lifespan of your vehicles. Regular oil changes help to keep the engine happy and clean while also ensuring that your fleet will continue to run strong for many years to come. But don’t worry, you don’t have to change the oil of each vehicle in the fleet yourself. Our fleet service partners at Fleet Advisor will come to you on-site to take care of all your oil changes and other fleet maintenance services. Save time, money, and hassle by having an on-site technician come to your yard or job site to perform the service. Are you a delivery company that leaves its vans at the dock after hours, hire an on-site fleet maintenance technician to come to you and perform the service after hours.

TIRE ROTATION

Another important aspect of maintenance for your fleet is tire rotating. Most vehicles are rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, meaning that only two of the four wheels are powered. Because of this, the tread of your tires will wear unevenly and you’ll need to rotate them regularly. This ensures that all four tires wear relatively evenly to improve the longevity of your fleets’ tires. Having even tires is important for a snowy Denver, CO winter.

AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE

Colorado may be known for its mountains and snowy weather, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get hot! The last thing you want is for one or more vehicles in your fleet to lose their air conditioning in the midst of a hot Colorado summer. Fortunately, this can be avoided by having fleet services like those at Fleet Advisor in Denver take care of your AC maintenance for your fleet. We’ll make sure they are fully charged, operational, and ready to go. That way, you can keep your drivers comfortable and happy regardless of the weather.

BRAKES

Routine brake maintenance is perhaps the most important and beneficial fleet service you can have done. Good brakes don’t only make for a more pleasant driving experience, they are also a major safety factor. Our fleet maintenance services at Fleet Advisor will make sure that your brake pads have plenty of life left, there are no bubbles in your brake fluid, and that your brakes are working properly for the safety of your drivers and those around them. If you drive in the mountains frequently, have your brakes checked professionally by a Fleet Advisor technician partner to ensure safety for your drivers and others coming down the hill.

The post 4 Tips to Maintain your Denver Fleet appeared first on Fleet Advisor.

When you schedule on-site vehicle maintenance you can do it at a time that is convenient for you, such as when the vehicle won’t be in use. Having to transport a vehicle to a shop for maintenance is time consuming and can put the truck or other equipment out of use for much longer than the actual maintenance may take, just because of those drop off and delivery times. On-site truck maintenance allows you better access to the vehicle when you need it.

2. Reduce Stranded Driver Pay

Another downfall of having to bring a semi or other heavy equipment to a facility for service is the fact you’ll have to pay an employee to deliver it. You can eliminate costs related to paying a driver to bring the vehicle to the shop, wait for the maintenance, and return it to the jobsite by choosing on-site fleet maintenance.

3. Improves Worksite Efficiency

With proper fleet preventative maintenance in Colorado comes better efficiency. Worries about breakdowns or other equipment failures will be minimized thanks to having your vehicles properly serviced. Additionally, when you have on-site maintenance conducted at a time that is best for you, the work being done can be scheduled around any known downtime, ensuring the jobsite doesn’t grind to a halt as you wait for an oil change or other required service.

4. Maximizes Bottom Line

Ultimately, on-site fleet vehicle maintenance will boost your bottom line by helping to prevent breakdowns, maximize worksite efficiency and reduce unnecessary driver pay while they deliver and wait for shop services. As a fleet vehicle manager, what’s better than that?

Fleet Advisor is your Denver, CO partner for on-site fleet maintenance. Leader in Denver On-Site DOT Inspections.

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Goodyear offers tire lifecycle and maintenance guidelines to maximize the power of your fleet:

Beware of underinflation

Underinflation can reduce your tire’s life significantly; it can also add to your fuel costs.  A good tire management program maintains proper air pressure, helps extend tire life and adds to fuel economy, which ultimately translates into cost savings. Tire inflation is the cheapest and easiest way to control fuel expenses. 

Invest in quality tires

When purchasing tires, always consider the lifecycle of the tire, its usage, cost per mile and the maintenance it will need. Buying strictly based on price may, in the end, be more expensive.

Implement regular tire checks

Make regular tire checks part of your drivers’ weekly or monthly maintenance routine. Be sure to check the tire tread depth with frequency and include yard surveys in your maintenance program to maximize efficiency and control cost. 

Choose tires that meet OEM standards

When purchasing tires, select tires that meet or exceed OEM standards. Additionally, remember to consider any modifications made to the vehicle that may affect the tire specifications.

Purchase tires that meet seasonal demands

Make sure to purchase tires that meet seasonal demands, especially in winter conditions. Your fleet needs tires that will perform well in all climates.

These tire strategies will help you make the most cost effective fleet investments. Extensive tire knowledge helps control operating expenses, which is a prime concern for fleet managers. 

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If your job requires you to take on the icy roads, then take note of these important winter trucking safety tips so you can steer clear of potential hazards.

GET OFF TO A SMART START

Before you begin any driving in winter weather, get your vehicle safety inspected to make sure all your systems are in order. Brakes, fluids, tires, defroster, heater, wipers, brake lights – all of these are especially critical in inclement weather, so get these checked out and replaced if necessary before the cold weather strikes.

PREPARE FOR ANYTHING

While it would be best to not have mechanical issues or accidents or become stranded, unfortunately these things do happen – and often when we least expect it! Keep a few essentials in your vehicle in case of the unexpected. Warm clothing, bottled water, a phone charger, a windshield scraper, and jumper cables are just a few items you can stash away for safety.

SLOW IT DOWN

It may seem obvious in our list of winter safety driving tips, but we’re going to say it anyway – slower speeds help reduce winter accidents! Especially when you’re in a large vehicle, driving fast decreases your time to react and can cause you to roll or spin out if there’s black ice on the roads. Better to take your time than to cause an accident.

KNOW HOW TO BRAKE FOR YOUR VEHICLE

If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), these will be your best friend in slippery conditions. You’ll want to hold the brakes down to engage ABS, which will help you to slow down more quickly. However, if your truck does not have ABS, you’ll instead need to pump your brakes repeatedly to get a similar effect. If you hold down the brake pedal on a vehicle that doesn’t have anti-lock brakes, you’re more likely to skid because of the poor traction.

KEEP A CUSHION AROUND YOU

No, we’re not talking about a comfort pillow. Rather, when driving in winter weather, you want to keep a generous cushion of extra space between you and vehicles in front of you. This way, even if someone else stops short or spins out, you have time to react and move out of danger.

NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS

One of the fastest ways to lose control in icy conditions is by making rapid, jerky movements. Whether changing lanes or slowing down for a stop light, make sure you perform your intended movement slowly, deliberately, and with awareness of all the other vehicles around you.

MORE BRAKE TIME

We talked about the space cushion earlier…well, this is especially true where braking is concerned. Give yourself plenty of braking distance when you’re approaching vehicles or intersections. When you start early, you can brake more slowly and in a controlled fashion, and thus, gain better traction and avoid skids.

WATCH OUT ON BRIDGES AND HILLS

When winter weather rolls in, bridges and elevated areas often get hit the worst, as they’re more exposed to frigid winds. If your path takes you over an exposed bridge or hilly area, use extra caution, slow your speeds, and keep a sharp eye out for black ice or other hazards.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Your headlights and tail lights are how other motorists will recognize your vehicle in low visibility. Make sure they’re clean and free of snow or any other debris that could make them less visible.

USE YOUR JUDGMENT

Some conditions such as snow and ice just shouldn’t be braved, period – even by the most experienced truck drivers! Your first priority and number one winter driving safety tip should always be to stay safe. If weather conditions are too severe, pull off the road – but don’t park on the shoulder! Instead, find a truck stop or some other safe place to wait out the weather.

The post Drive Safe this winter, Here are some tips appeared first on Fleet Advisor.

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As part of our On-Site DOT inspection service in Denver, CO, we check vehicles for a safety triangle kit, which includes emergency reflective triangles. The DOT Inspection officer will also check for a triangle kit because it’s a safety requirement in case of a breakdown. We hope you don’t have to use the DOT Triangle Kit, but knowing how to do it in an emergency is a good thing to practice. 

Even with safe driving habits and well-maintained equipment, vehicle breakdowns are inevitable. Knowing proper DOT safety triangle placement and prioritizing vehicle breakdown safety can minimize losses during these unexpected situations. Being prepared for emergencies is key to reducing risk.

DOT SAFETY TRIANGLE PLACEMENT

Warning Devices

According to section 393.95 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), your commercial motor vehicle should at least: 

• Six flares that can burn for 30 minutes
• Three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles
• Three liquid-burning flares with enough fuel to burn for 60 minutes continuously

You Are Prohibited From Having Flame-Producing Devices on These Vehicles:

• Any vehicle containing Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (explosives) hazardous materials,
• Any cargo tank motor vehicle used to transport Division 2.1 (flammable gas) or Class 3 (flammable liquid) dangerous materials, whether loaded or empty.
• Any commercial motor that uses compressed gas is prohibited from flame-producing devices.

When A Breakdown Or Accident Occurs, You Should:

• Stop and ensure the area is secure.
• Turn on the four-way flashers of your vehicle.
• As per regulations requirements, set out your warning devices within ten minutes of stopping.
• Call your company to tell them what happened in detail if there is a breakdown.

In the Event of an Accident

• Call the law enforcement.
• Check for injuries.
• Call your company.
• Document the accident.

Warning Device Placement

• As we mentioned earlier, if your vehicle stops on the shoulder of the highway, you must activate the four-way flashers within ten minutes and set out warning devices at once.
• Remember to hold the devices in front of you to increase your visibility to traffic. Put on a high-visibility vest and be alert for other drivers who may not see you on the road.

Depending on Where the Vehicle Stops, the Placement of the Device Varies.

On a Two-Lane Road:

• Place the first device on the traffic side of the vehicle 10 feet (about four paces) from the front or rear, depending on the direction of traffic,
• Place the second device 100 feet (about 40 paces) behind the vehicle, and
• Place the third device 100 feet (40 paces) ahead of the vehicle on the lane where the vehicle stopped.

One-Way or Divided Highway:

• Place the devices 10, 100, and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle and toward the approaching traffic
• Within 500 feet of a hill, curve, or obstruction
  • Place a device 100 to 500 feet from the vehicle toward the obstruction.
  • Place the other two according to the rules for two-lane or divided highways.

You Need To Have an Accident Report Kit

You should have an accident report kit and the required warning devices. This will make it easy for you to locate all the items in one place in case of an accident.

The Accident Report Kit Should Include:

• A written report form to make documentation easy
• A high-visibility vest
• A diagram template to allow for a simple drawing of the accident scene
• Pens and pencils
• Witness card
• A camera

Emergency Breakdown Safety Tips

When facing a roadside emergency, an effective Emergency Breakdown Safety Kit is your first line of defense. However, having the kit is only part of the equation; understanding and implementing proper Emergency Breakdown Safety Tips is crucial for driver and equipment safety, including emergency triangle placement. Finding a legal parking location and activating your hazard lights are paramount should a breakdown occur. Remember, your safety is the priority, so exit the vehicle carefully, always facing oncoming traffic. Driver and equipment safety breakdowns result in lost time and money.

Proper emergency triangle placement and reflective triangles are key to alerting other drivers to your situation. Red warning triangles should be placed away from the road for maximum safety and visibility.  By prioritizing these tips for emergency breakdown safety, you protect yourself and help ensure that traffic flow continues safely. Understanding these procedures minimizes accident risk and helps mitigate the lost time and money that breakdowns inevitably result in.

Stay On Top Of Fleet Maintenance With Fleet Advisor

If you’re tired of dealing with expensive repairs that could have easily been fixed if you only had the time, it’s time to call Denver’s Fleet Maintenance experts. Our on-site mobile service lets our fleet maintenance experts come to you for inspections, maintenance, and repairs. We can prepare your vehicles for the summer before the first 80-degree day appears and prepare your vehicles to ace their DOT inspections.

The post Where To Place Your DOT Safety Triangle Kit if You Break Down appeared first on Fleet Advisor.