Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the Shop's hours of service?
• What if my vehicle has a breakdown during an off-hour when no one is at the Shop?
• How often is my vehicle scheduled for Preventive Maintenance?
• How often does my oil need to be changed?
• How do I arrange a pool car for an out-of-town trip?
• What air pressure should I maintain in my tires?
• How can I find out if my vehicle is ready?
• How do I get a new Gasboy card?
• Is it okay to use another vehicle's gas card if I can't find mine?
• What do I do if the gas pumps aren't working?
• What figure do I enter for a meter reading on the Gasboy card reader when I'm prompted for one?
• Who do I see for a vehicle license tag?
• When is the City auction?

What are the Shop's hours of service?

7:00-5:30 on Weekdays. The service station is open from 5:00 A.M. until 5 P.M. on all weekdays except Wednesdays, when it's 7:00-5:30.

What if my vehicle has a breakdown during an off-hour when no one is at the Shop?

· If the vehicle will not move and needs to be towed, the procedure is to call Police's regular number (673-8331) in order to get the next authorized wrecker service in the rotation. The vehicle will be towed to the Shop.
· If a flat tire occurs, and a spare cannot be found, most local tire service companies have an answering service to dispatch an emergency repairman, if the vehicle needs to be repaired before the Shop opens back up.

How often is my vehicle scheduled for Preventive Maintenance?

A maintenance PM (PM-B) is scheduled every 6 months for most vehicles (4 months for refuse trucks). The mileage interval is 12,000 on cars and pickups, 8,000 miles on heavy trucks, and 6,000 miles on refuse trucks.

How often does my oil need to be changed?

Every 4,000 miles on most vehicles. For machines with hour meters, the engine manufacturer's recommendation should be followed. However, as a guideline, 150-175 hours is used in the absence of the recommendation.

How do I arrange a pool car for an out-of-town trip?

Phone Equipment Management (676-6449) and the trip will be scheduled into the Motor Pool, and the Shop will be notified.

What air pressure should I maintain in my tires?

· Small Staff Sedans: 35 psi
· Larger sedans, patrol cars, pickups: 40 psi
· Large trucks: 110-120 psi
· Motorgraders: 40 psi
· Other large tractors: consult Equipment Services

How can I find out if my vehicle is ready?

Call 676-6073 and ask for the foreman

How do I get a new Gasboy card?

Call 676-6068 and ask for the secretary, or stop by the office

Is it okay to use another vehicle's gas card if I can't find mine?

This causes complications. If it is an emergency and it must be done, at least get the other vehicle's mileage to input into the authorization station. No matter what, notify Equipment Services as soon as possible.

What do I do if the gas pumps aren't working?

· Try another gas pump. There are two pumps for unleaded gas, and two for Diesel.
· If neither one will work, the problem may be with the Gasboy card reader. Notify the police, who will try to dispatch a Shop person to get the pumps working again, and go to a Skinny's store or an L & L Convenience Store who are able to fill a City of Abilene vehicle in an emergency. The receipt needs to show the vehicle number, the license tag #, and your clear signature.

What figure do I enter for a meter reading on the Gasboy card reader when I'm prompted for one?

· In most cases, the odometer reading (mileage). Do not enter the tenths.
· If your machine only has an hour meter, enter that number. Do not enter the tenths.
· If your vehicle has both an hour meter and an odometer, usually the odometer reading is entered, unless you are certain that your vehicle is an exception.
· If your machine has no meter whatsoever, just enter a zero.

Who do I see for a vehicle license tag?

Equipment Management (676-6449).

When is the City auction?

Usually between late August and mid-September.