If you own a service fleet of trucks, trailers or vans, you know how difficult it can be to find a reliable repair service that will perform good maintenance and take great care of your fleet vehicles. It’s important to find a shop and technicians that know your business and know the unique needs of fleet vehicles.

Why is regular maintenance for fleet vehicles so important?

You may not think of your fleet vehicles as needing regular maintenance, but fleet vehicles often acquire mileage faster than most person vehicles if they spend the majority of the day driving, instead of just commuting like personal cars. Scheduled, routine maintenance helps your fleet vehicles stay in great shape and in peak performance – which makes for easier driving, better gas mileage and minimal repair costs down the line.

In addition to the repair costs of major part failure, when your fleet vehicle is out of commission, you know that you not only incur costs from the repair, but the detrimental costs to your business when you lose time arranging alternate means of transportation and dealing with repairs.

What are some of our standard fleet services and repairs?

• Truck and trailer repair
• Engine repair – diesel and gasoline
• Brake repair
• Van repair
• Pre-purchase inspections
• Door repair
• On-site repair and maintenance
• And more!

With NAPA certified parts and shops, you don’t have to worry about warranty. Contact us today to see how we can help keep your fleet in great shape!

Your clutch: Things every driver should know

Just like brakes, it’s easy for drivers to tell when the clutch is wearing out and needing a replacement. A worn out, or wearing out, clutch can be harder to handle. You might notice that the pedals seem to ‘stick’ more, and that pushing the clutch in requires more force than normal. A clutch in need of repair can also lose the smoothness of a clutch in good condition; you might notice a ‘shakiness’ or jerking motion when the clutch moves from gear to gear, or even total loss of control at times, as the clutch slips out of gear entirely.
The clutch doesn’t usually last the lifespan of the car. Depending on the vehicle’s make and model, and how well the clutch is treated, the clutch may or may not last more than 50,000 miles. Even the climate of where you live and drive, and your commute-type can affect the clutch. A driver that sits in city traffic all day, inching along, uses the clutch a lot more than a driver that coasts down the highway. Hot weather also affects the usage of clutch fluid, and can cause the fluid to run thin much faster than in a cold climate.

If you haven’t noticed a gradual wearing-down of your clutch, and find yourself in a sudden clutch crisis – the clutch stops working entirely or you notice smoke or the smell of electrical fire underneath your hood, you’re likely in for a surprise clutch replacement.
This type of replacement is something that controls your daily driving experience, so it’s important to take this repair seriously. Locate a good mechanic shop, one that you trust. Since the cost of clutch replacement varies so widely, you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal, while getting the repair done right. Depending on the make and model, a clutch replacement can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Small sedans like the Honda Civic can run on the less expensive end of the spectrum, while more “driving-focused” cars like many BMW models can run into the thousands to replace the clutch. It’s best to have a relationship with a mechanic before you find yourself suddenly in need of their services. If you do find yourself in a bad clutch replacement situation, you can contact Protime Automotive to get more information and even a quote on the repair costs. We’re NAPA-endorsed automotive repair establishments.

Brakes are your first line of defense against any accidents or collisions on and off the road. So it’s important that you get them checked out before they begin to fail or make noises. If you’re like most drivers in Virginia Beach, you only get your brakes checked once you notice that something’s wrong. It’s important to get your brakes checked regularly. Note, an easy way to remember is to get them checked each time you go in for an oil or filter change at Protime Automotive.

Maintaining functioning brakes is not only for your safety but also other driver’s .

Grinding or Screeching noises when you brake:
Cause: This usually indicates that the brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced immediately. Remember, the grinding and screeching is not a “friendly reminder” to change your brake pads, it is a sign of a mechanical problem. Not replacing your brake pads at this point will result in serious problems and more expensive repair costs.

Your ABS light on the dashboard is on:
Cause: Have one of our auto technicians do a routine brake check, if there are no discernible problems and the light is still coming on, check the wiring and electric plugs. They can suffer from over-all wear and tear too!

Pulsating or shaky braking:
Cause: Consistent use of your auto brakes means heat and wear caused by friction. Over time, this can warp the rotors by thinning them out, which leads to the shaky feeling.

Difficulty braking:
Cause: This is difficult to say without a full inspection of the brakes by a mechanic, but any of the above are likely potential causes. Visit Protime Automotive and get your brakes checked today!