With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic keeping much of America homebound, many businesses and fleet managers are having to keep vehicles grounded for the indefinite future. However, grounding a vehicle is not quite as simple as parking it in a garage and closing the door.

As a driver, it is important that you learn the optimum tire pressure for your vehicle and fill your tires to the factory recommended pressure setting. Doing so will improve handling on the road, prevent blow-outs, allow for smoother rides and lengthen the life of your tires.

We all have places to be, and we can't afford to let darkness stop us. Whether it's a commute from work to home during the winter when night-time falls earlier, or a trip to visit family when you want to avoid traffic, driving at night is sometimes unavoidable. It is also inherently more dangerous.

As we prepare for the winter season, it is important to make certain that our vehicles are in good condition. Have the oil changed, refill the window-washing fluid, re-stock your first-aid kit, make sure there are jumper cables in the trunk, and, if you live in an area where it regularly reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below...consider investing in winter tires!

Vehicles are recalled by auto manufacturers for various reasons, usually pertaining to the safety of the driver. When you receive a recall notice for your vehicle, it is recommended that you drive to the nearest dealership, or have your vehicle towed there if it is unsafe to drive. The dealership is then responsible for repair of the vehicle, on their dime, as well as any previous repairs pertaining to the recalled part (if you smartly kept your receipts from previous repairs).

As the cold of the winter thaws, so do our vehicle and its structural components. The Spring is the perfect time to provide your automobile with a little tender love and care so it may achieve peak performance before hitting the highway.

We at Fleet Services and our partners at LeasePlan have come up with a standard Springtime Maintenance Checklist.

The most important job of the Fleet Managers at Fleet Services is to ensure the safety of  drivers. And although every manufacturer in the automotive industry now offers advanced safety features in their newer models, cars are still hi-tech machines that do occasionally experience mechanical failures. Fortunately, our Fleet Management program is supported through our affiliation with Network Inc., and everyone who drives a vehicle acquired through Fleet is enrolled in our Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) program, which works the same way as AAA.  So, what should you do you if your vehicle has a mechanical breakdown while you're driving on the highway?  To answer this question, we would like to share the following list of  Seven Steps To Follow When Your Car Breaks Down On The Highway

There is a frightening bit of fiction growing around the grapevine of the auto industry, telling us that the only way to drive green is to buy a newer-model hybrid or electric vehicle. Luckily, debunking common myths happens to be a specialty of the fleet management experts at Fleet Services. In reality, there are a great many steps one may take to become a more eco-friendly driver.

We must begin by stating that this is NOT an article with tips on how to do donuts in the snow. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. At Fleet Services, we strive to maintain a perfect record when it comes to driver safety. Such is the reason for many of our practices, including the toll-free 1-800 number that drivers can call at any time to speak with an ASE-certified technician. We also make sure our clients are insured and that regular maintenance checks are performed on each vehicle in a fleet. 

I’ll never forget the trips my father and I used to take to the Rockies. We’d fly into Denver International Airport, hop into an SUV with snow tires fastened tight, and begin the often-treacherous journey up the winding mountain roads towards the ski villages. We experienced both calm driving conditions and also those with blizzards and roads of ice, always taking our time and putting safety before speed. I soon learned one important factor keeping us safe, and that was my father’s dutiful habit of keeping up with our vehicle’s maintenance and making regular service visits.

However, keeping track of a vehicle’s service needs and preparing for the winter months can be a difficult--not to mention expensive--task without the right tools and knowledge. To make things easier for drivers everywhere, Caritas Vehicle Services has relationships with service providers in all 50 states, where clients receive discounts of up to 40% on vehicle maintenance and repairs. Caritas also provides 24/7/365 emergency roadside assistance and a toll-free 800 number where certified ASE technicians are ready at all times to answer your questions and to make specific recommendations for your vehicle’s maintenance needs.

For more information on winter driving safety, please click on the link below to read an excellent article published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In very simple, layman’s terms, it presents helpful information on preparing your vehicle for the snow and ice, highlighting the need to take preventive measures.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips