VEHICLE SERVICE

To schedule your maintenance visit, Call our Fleet Coordinator, Kim Elofson at 614-430-1688 ext. 208 

Oil Changes

Oil change appointments are your responsibility. Not making maintenance appointments or alerting the garage staff to issues with the vehicle can lead to disciplinary action.

All Tristar Vehicles: When the odometer shows about 1000 miles to go before the mileage due figure on your window sticker, you MUST call the Fleet Coordinator to arrange an appointment. Regular maintenance  appointments are not scheduled for Mondays or Fridays. Please allow at least one and a half hours for this appointment as the technicians also thoroughly inspect your car for additional services. Emergencies will be seen and taken care of as soon as possible.

Mechanical Issues/Car Failure

If you experience ANY mechanical problems, notify the Fleet Coordinator or office staff right away.  

If you have any issues with your Tristar vehicle please call the garage immediately. Call the office number and select option 3 or Ext 208 for the Fleet Coordinator/Garage. Do not attempt any repairs unless directed by garage staff. Do not try to continue driving the car due to possible other damages that can occur. Please DO move the car out of traffic or to a safe place if possible. Garage and office staff will work together to get you and your students taken care of and the vehicle towed if necessary. If the car must be towed make sure to leave the car unlocked and the keys over the visor.

Remember   All lights must be on and working per Tristar policy. If any lights are out contact the garage so we can get those taken care of quickly.

Gasoline Cards/Fueling Policy

A gasoline card is issued for each vehicle (not each driver). This card is to remain permanently in the glove box of the car. Do not keep it in your wallet. Each driver is also issued a PIN #, which is to remain with the driver.  Do not keep the card and PIN # together. Fuel cards are for FUEL PURCHASES ONLY, any unauthorized use of gasoline cards for personal use or non-fuel purchases is grounds for immediate dismissal. 

Fueling Instructions

  • Use unleaded regular (87) fuel only. Do not use high test or Ethanol 85.

  • Note your mileage to enter on the reader. (You will need to key this in when refueling)

  • You must use the enter button after each entry

  • Follow the instructions on the reader

  • When prompted, enter your security code (PIN #) and then your mileage reading, whichever comes first.

***If your gas card is denied three times in a row, you will be locked from using it for 24 hours. We suggest after the second unsuccessful attempt, try another gas station and contact someone in the office. 

Immediately report any lost or stolen card(s) to the office by calling 614-430-1688, option 3.

Winter Car Care

Winter can be frustrating to all of us during the early mornings when trying to get our cars cleared of the ice and snow. Here are some helpful  tips you can use that can make that chore easier. 

Ice Scrapers

All cars have an ice scraper in the trunk. If you do not or yours is broken contact the service center for a replacement.

Windshield

If you have a water-repellant product at home, such as Rain-X, apply it to the windshield and all windows. It will make it much easier to scrape off ice and snow. The repellant may help keep the glass free of salt and slush. The repellant does this by filling in microscopic pits and scratches to which the stuff clings. 

If snow or ice has accumulated you will need to run the heat to loosen it before scraping. Do not “chop” at the windshield as that could crack or even break the windshield.

Frozen, Snow or Ice Covered Side Windows

Do Not force the window open or try to use the window to clear ice by putting the window down as this can damage the window motor.  Use the provided scraper and you can also use Rain-X on these windows as well.

Windshield Wipers 

Make sure your windshield wipers are completely off before you turn off your car. The wipers will come on automatically the next time you start the car up which can damage the blades, arms or even break the wiper motor. Starting your car and attempting to turn on your wipers when they are frozen to your windshield can cause breakage. Also, attempting to yank or chop at the wipers can damage the blades or wiper arms. To free frozen wipers, turn on the defroster to warm the windshield. As a proactive measure the night before, you can pull the wiper arms up into the vertical position and leave them there until morning when you can clean the windshield and put them back down. 

Frozen Doors

To keep your doors from freezing you can try a silicone spray on the rubber gaskets between the door and the car's body. Do the same for the trunk, too. If those products are not available you can remove moisture from the gaskets by wiping them down with a dry rag the night before. 

Fuel 

Topping off the gas tank is a good way to make sure the fuel won't freeze, as a near-empty tank can cause condensation that turns into ice crystals. Remember never go below a half a tank.  You don't want to risk running out of fuel in the cold. 

Battery 

If the car will be sitting over a period of time such as a long weekend or a school break, especially during  low temperatures, starting the car  and letting it run until it reaches normal operating temperature will help keep the battery charged. 

Letting the car heat up can also help with any snow or ice build up making it less difficult to deal with when you are trying to get going in the morning.

Reminder

Car mechanical problems: Call SERVICE CENTER 614-430-1688 Option 3 or  Ext 208

Car accidents - Call Kim Elofson 614-430-1688 Option 4 or Ext 208. Cell 614-401-9867