Managing your fleet in a fast-paced city like Houston is difficult, where unexpected repairs and breakdowns can derail your services.
Whether you run a small or large fleet of heavy-duty trucks, staying on top of fleet maintenance in Houston is essential for your business.
But we get it:
Keeping track of routine maintenance for multiple vehicles is next to impossible without the right partner and some mechanical knowledge.
To help you out, we’ll list out the different fleet maintenance services you can get in Houston and your potential expenses. We’ll also give you a rough schedule to help you plan your fleet maintenance routine.
This Article Contains:
- What Does Houston Fleet Maintenance Include?
- Can You Opt for Mobile Fleet Repair in the Houston Area?
- What Are the Benefits of Choosing Mobile Fleet Maintenance in Houston?
- How Much Do Mobile Fleet Maintenance Services Cost?
- Which Sectors Benefit From Mobile Fleet Maintenance?
- How Often Should You Get a Fleet Repair Service?
What Does Houston Fleet Maintenance Include?
A typical fleet maintenance service covers:
1. Preventive Maintenance
This includes all regular maintenance services to avoid damage due to Houston’s weather and poor road conditions. These typically involve:
- Oil changes: This preventive maintenance service requires checking the oil’s condition and replacing it if it’s contaminated.
- Battery checks: A functioning battery is essential to power your vehicle. An experienced technician will look for cracked cables or corroded terminals and repair them.
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems check: Transporting goods or delivering products long distances in the summer is unbearable without a proper HVAC system. Routine maintenance guarantees your fleet vehicles have ample Freon (refrigerant), a working compressor, and intact AC hoses.
- DOT (Department of Transportation) inspections: DOT inspections are a series of tests to guarantee that commercial vehicles meet federal safety standards and are fit to drive.
2. Corrective Maintenance
Unexpected repairs usually occur after a vehicle breakdown or failure. Here are some services that qualify as corrective maintenance:
- Flat tire change: A fleet mechanic can quickly change your tire if sharp objects on the road or improper inflation cause a flat.
- Brake repair: This service involves fixing a spongy brake pedal and other system parts, ensuring your vehicle has adequate braking power.
- Suspension fix: Struts on commercial and light-duty trucks that regularly transport goods can wear out fast, but a timely repair can fix this problem before it worsens.
3. Predictive Maintenance
This category of fleet management service involves using telematics software to identify problems in advance and plan repairs.
Telematics software uses onboard sensors and GPS location to provide real-time data on fleet vehicles, such as engine performance, tire pressure, and part wear. Fleet managers and mechanics can analyze this data to prevent potential issues like tire blowouts or HVAC failures.
4. Customized Maintenance Plan
Beyond regular maintenance, many Houston fleet mechanics also offer specialized services for heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles. These may include:
- Hydraulic systems checks: Ideal for utility vehicles and heavy equipment fleets, this service covers hydraulic pump and hose repairs to prevent steering failures and other issues.
- Cooling system repair: This service is vital for temperature-controlled cargo fleets transporting pharmaceutical products and fresh produce in Houston. The repair covers thermostat checks and complex repairs like radiator replacement.
- Trailer repair: A typical trailer repair covers electrical system tests, brake inspections, suspension replacement, and other services.
But arranging these services at a garage isn’t always easy, so let’s consider other options.
Can You Opt for Mobile Fleet Repair in the Houston Area?
Yes. Mobile fleet maintenance is widely available in Houston and has become a practical solution for keeping vehicles operational as fleet numbers grow.
However, if you’re new to mobile mechanical repairs and exploring options, consider AutoNation Mobile Service. Our skilled technicians are fully equipped to handle comprehensive fleet services from brake inspections to heavy-duty truck repair on-site.
Here are the simple steps to book a fleet maintenance service with us:
- Fill out the form with the following details: Your name, company name, email address, contact number, and zip code.
- Mention key information about the fleet, such as:
- Commercial fleet size
- Fleet type (rental, rideshare, etc.)
- Vehicle type (light-duty trucks or other commercial trucks).
- Click on “Request a Quote.”
Once you’re satisfied with the quote, select the preferred time slot, and our skilled technicians will visit you at your preferred location.
However, if you have any questions or concerns, you can call us at 1(855) 419-7904 or email fleet@autonationmobileservice.com.
Still on the fence about hiring mobile mechanics?
We’ll help you decide.
What Are the Benefits of Choosing Mobile Fleet Maintenance in Houston?
Mobile fleet maintenance offers several benefits, including:
- Increased driver safety and vehicle reliability: Unmaintained vehicles with worn brakes or poor wheel alignment pose serious risks, especially around traffic-prone areas, such as I-45 or US-59. Calling a mobile fleet mechanic quickly resolves the problem before your fleet hits the road and ensures your drivers operate well-maintained vehicles.
- Scheduling convenience: Mobile mechanics allow you to schedule expert fleet service after business hours or during vehicle downtime. Some service providers also let you choose your preferred time slots based on availability through their website. This flexibility helps you avoid disruptions and keep your fleet operation running smoothly.
- Time-saving and cost-effective: Fleet managers often have to arrange pick-up and drop-off for fleet vehicles from the garage. This becomes expensive and time-consuming, especially for energy companies in Greenway Plaza that rely on service trucks for time-sensitive field inspections. With mobile maintenance, the technicians come to you, so you can skip the hassle altogether.
- Upfront pricing: Most repair services have high overhead costs, which is why they charge more for repairs. But mobile fleet mechanics only charge for the service and parts. Reputed fleet maintenance services also offer upfront estimates so you know what to expect.
- Access to specialized technicians: Traditional garages may not always have the right mechanic for every fleet vehicle. This can be problematic if your commercial fleet has a mix of truck and van types. With mobile fleet service, you can request ASE-certified mechanics or a highly experienced technician who can handle various vehicle types and mechanical repairs.
- Environmentally friendly: By avoiding unnecessary trips to the garage for unexpected repairs, you use less fuel, reducing your carbon footprint. This makes mobile fleet maintenance a greener choice.
With such benefits, you might think the fleet repair costs will be high.
Let’s see if that’s true.
How Much Do Mobile Fleet Maintenance Services Cost?
The average fleet maintenance cost is around $0.10 to $0.20 per mile. These repair costs depend on the fleet type, extent of damage, and the vehicle’s age. For example, if the vehicle has been in service for:
- Less than a year, maintenance will cost about $15 per vehicle per month
- More than three years, you’ll spend around $70 per vehicle per month
A complete vehicle replacement, however, will cost fleet managers about $18,000 to $30,000.
Worried the fleet repairs won’t be helpful to your company?
Keep reading!
Which Sectors Benefit From Mobile Fleet Maintenance?
Mobile fleet repair can help companies and industries such as:
- Taxi and car rental companies: With cars constantly rotating between customers, scheduling a garage visit can be challenging, especially if you need complex repairs, like a transmission replacement. Mobile mechanics can provide on-site services at the lot, ensuring the rental is back in service quickly and ready for the next booking.
- Public transport providers: Most buses or coaches run on tight schedules and high passenger loads, so they can’t afford to lose time during working hours. With mobile repairs, mechanics can fix the vehicles between shifts or overnight.
- Agricultural fleets: Farm vehicles usually operate in remote locations and under harsh conditions. Mobile experts can service tractors or heavy equipment in the field, saving you from lengthy trips to distant garages.
Now that you know mobile fleet maintenance is helpful, let’s check if you’re due for the next repair.
How Often Should You Get a Fleet Repair Service?
The fleet maintenance schedule depends on vehicle type, usage, and operating conditions. Here’s a general timeline you can follow for regular inspection:
- Monthly: Check AC performance, oil levels, exterior lights, windshield wipers, tire pressure, and wheels
- Quarterly: Inspect battery, mirrors, glass, undercarriage, and vehicle frame
- Biannually: Schedule comprehensive repairs like vehicle diagnostics, electrical system checks, or brake repair
Help Your Fleet Stay Road-Ready with AutoNation Mobile Service
Handling daily deliveries, transporting cargo, and keeping the fleet operation steady is already demanding. Once you add in the pressure of fleet maintenance, the stress quickly piles up.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Don’t, because AutoNation Mobile Service experts are just a call away.
Our mobile fleet mechanics can tackle everything from a minor leak to a complete heavy-duty truck repair. With upfront pricing on comprehensive fleet services and after-hours customer support, your vehicles get all the attention they need.
Get in touch with us for stress-free fleet maintenance services on-site.