Service, maintenance and repairs

Each operator of a University vehicle should assume the responsibility of proper care and maintenance of vehicles assigned for their use. If damage to the vehicle results from clear abuse or carelessness during use, the department will be billed for repairs made to the vehicle. Replacement vehicles will be charged to the responsible department for the miles driven. Department authorities should inform all operators of vehicles used by their department of this policy.

Fort Collins area

Transportation Services operates a full service and repair facility located at the Facilities Services South building. Work can be scheduled by calling 970-491-0116, 970-491-0084, or by emailing TransportationServices@colostate.edu. All maintenance and repair of vehicles in the Fort Collins area should be performed at this facility. Replacement vehicles are available upon request while the vehicle is being repaired.

Outside the Fort Collins area

Maintenance or repair

Prior to authorizing maintenance and repair to a vehicle, approval must be obtained through the call center at Transportation Services. Contact Transportation Services by calling 970-491-0175 or 970-491-0103 for coordination and determination on whether to return the vehicle to Transportation Services for repair or have repair completed at a commercial facility. We want to assure comprehensive use of warranty, benefit of available discounts and replacement with quality parts.

Failure to secure approval for service or repair expenditures may result in the charges being billed to the user’s department.

Tires

Vehicles in the Fort Collins area should have tires replaced at Transportation Services. If it is necessary to replace tires on a vehicle outside the Fort Collins area, the driver should contact Transportation Services for replacement authorization at 970-491-0175 or 970-491-0103.

In an emergency tires may be replaced at a factory outlet store, handling the same brand of tire installed on the vehicle. The same size, style, and quality tire should be installed. Please be sure that information concerning the vehicle appears on the company’s bill, together with the tire brand, type, and size, and the vehicles odometer reading at the time of tire mounting. The purchase invoice should then be mailed or delivered to Transportation Services to ensure prompt payment to the tire dealer or party paying for the tire replacement.

Battery and electrical system

The same methods and procedures outlined for tire replacement above should be taken if an electrical system failure occurs. Before having the battery replaced, please have a service garage determine the cause of the problem. A defective starter or charging system could cause indications of a defective battery. The vendor supplying the new battery should accept the old battery as trade as per Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Exhaust system, suspension and shock absorbers

The exhaust system, suspension, and shock absorbers should last the life of the vehicle with a proper preventative maintenance program. If a failure of one of these components does occur, contact Transportation Services for repair authorization.

Transportation Services must approve the above repairs, except in an emergency situation. If repairs are not authorized, the department may not be reimbursed for the repairs.