If your business depends on a fleet of cars or vans, keeping them in shape is crucial to keeping your operations running smoothly. At Master Tech Auto Repair in Santa Fe, we’ve worked with many fleets and we know how costly it can be when even one vehicle is off the road. That’s why regular fleet maintenance is one of the smartest investments you can make.
In this blog, we’ll explain why fleet maintenance matters, how often you should schedule service, and how New Mexico’s unique climate can impact your vehicles.
The Costly Truth of Skipping Fleet Maintenance
Delaying maintenance may seem like a short term solution, but you’re risking your bottom line in the long run. Here’s what can happen when your fleet isn’t regularly serviced:
- Unexpected downtime: A single vehicle breakdown can throw a significant wrench in deliveries, appointments, or service calls, causing ripple effects for days or weeks throughout your business.
- Higher repair bills: Ignoring small issues now can lead to major repairs later, often costing thousands of dollars more than preventive maintenance.
- Reduced vehicle lifespan: Well-maintained vehicles last longer, which means you don't have to overhaul your fleet.
- Lost revenue opportunities: If a vehicle has to go to the shop unexpectedly, that may put you in a position where you have to turn down jobs or delay services, which can damage customer relationships and your reputation.
When you list all of these costs, regular fleet maintenance quickly proves to be a money-saver — not an expense.
How Often Should You Service Your Fleet?
While the exact schedule depends on your vehicle types and mileage, we suggest the following guidelines:
- Oil changes every 5,000–7,500 miles (or sooner for heavy use)
- Brake inspections at least twice a year
- Tire rotations every 6,000–8,000 miles
- Transmission checks every 30,000–60,000 miles
- Full safety inspections every 6 months
For fleets in constant operation, we’ve seen success with a quarterly maintenance plan. By being proactive, you can catch small issues before they become big problems. At Master Tech Auto Repair, we work with businesses to set up a customized schedule based on their usage patterns and specific needs.
How New Mexico’s Weather Affects Your Fleet
We love Santa Fe weather, but our climate can be tough on vehicles, and fleet vehicles — which are often on the road more than personal cars — take the brunt of it.
- High Altitude Effects
Santa Fe sits at over 7,000 feet above sea level. This can reduce engine power in vehicles not designed for high altitude, affect tire pressure, and even influence cooling system performance.
- Hot, Dry Summers
Intense sun exposure can degrade tires faster, fade paint, and dry out important rubber components like belts and hoses. Air conditioning systems also work harder in summer heat, tiring out quickly.
- Cold Winters and Temperature Swings
While Santa Fe winters aren’t as harsh as in some parts of the country, swinging temperatures and freezing nighttime temperatures can still affect battery performance, thicken fluids, and make engines harder to start.
- Dust and Road Debris
Dust from dry conditions and dirt roads can clog filters, scratch paint, and get into mechanical components if not regularly cleaned and inspected. This is especially true for fleet vehicles which are on the road more often than not!
Luckily, we keep all of these things in mind while performing fleet maintenance so you can keep your fleet safer and more reliable year-round.
Benefits of a Professional Fleet Maintenance Program
Partnering with a trusted local shop like Master Tech Auto Repair offers several advantages:
- Expertise in multiple vehicle types: We service both cars and vans, so you can bring your entire fleet to one shop.
- Consistent record-keeping: We track your fleet’s service history so that nothing gets overlooked.
- Preventive focus: Our inspections are designed to find and fix issues before they cause breakdowns so that you can stay on the road and in business!
- Local knowledge: We understand how Santa Fe’s altitude, climate, and road conditions affect vehicles.
With a professional program in place, you’ll spend less time worrying about unexpected breakdowns and more time focusing on your business.
The Bottom Line: Fleet Maintenance in Santa Fe Pays for Itself
Whether you operate a handful of service vans or a large fleet of company cars, regular maintenance will keep your vehicles on the road longer and save you money over time.
At Master Tech Auto Repair in Santa Fe, we make fleet maintenance easy. We’ll talk you through a customized plan, handle services quickly to minimize downtime, and keep your vehicles ready for whatever the New Mexico roads throw at them.
Call us today to learn more about our fleet maintenance services and schedule your first inspection.
