Fleet Services Temporary Location

We broke the news last month that Fleet Services will need to relocate during construction of our new facility starting in July. We can now share where we will be moving to. Our new location will be the former Housing Services Building located next to the new Nagle-Duda Gymnastics & Spirit Squad Training Center across the street from the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex. The address is 175 Prairie Meadow Dr. This location will provide space for Fleet Administrative offices and the full rental fleet. Customers will pick up and return vehicles at the new location and will be able to park personal vehicles. The shop will remain in its usual location and will operate in the current location through construction. We understand that this new location will not be as convenient for all customers, so we are trying to come up with ways to be as accommodating as possible. The exact timing of the move is still being ironed out but expect the relocation in July. We will continue to provide updates as news becomes available.

Process Change – Dropping a Vehicle at the Shop, Drop the Keys Off Too!

If you are dropping a vehicle off at the shop for service please walk inside, hand someone your keys, and let them know the vehicle has been delivered. When the vehicle is done and ready to be picked up you will need to come inside the shop office and pick-up the set of keys you left. We have been servicing vehicles with spare sets of keys kept on premises since the start of the pandemic, but we are changing the process now to prepare for the admin office relocation coming in July. We will make every effort to remind customers of this procedural change when an appointment is scheduled.

Iowa’s New Hands Free Phone Law

On April 2, 2025, Governor Kim Reynolds signed Iowa's new hands-free phone bill into law. The new law, which takes effect July 1, bans drivers from using their phone while driving unless it’s in a "hands-free" mode. View the full article from KCRG that explains the new law.

Our priority is to make sure everyone is aware of the new law and understands what you are no longer allowed to do. The most important change is that you are not allowed to hold your phone when you’re behind the wheel, it will need to be operated “hands free”. That means you are limited to a single touch to activate a voice mode and need to use verbal commands to turn that device on or off, or to complete a function like calling someone or playing music. Most Fleet vehicles have the ability to pair via Bluetooth for handsfree calling so we want to encourage folks to do that. If using a phone for GPS navigation it would be best to start the route before departing so as to limit interaction with the phone while driving. 

Nissan Altima – Carplay Android Auto

We have had some of the new Nissan Altima sedans in the rental fleet for about a month and based on some informal surveys customers seem to like them. One thing we wanted to point out is that unlike the last two model years of Chevy Malibu’s, the Altimas require a cord in order to utilize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If you are going on a longer trip and want to use one of those services for navigation you will want to make sure to bring a cord along. You do not need a cord for a standard Bluetooth connection. A standard connection will allow you to make and answer calls and do basic audio streaming.

Honest Mike’s Used Cars

Currently for sale on our GovDeals auction page are a silver 2020 Chevy Malibu with 64k miles, a 2017 Ford Transit T150 low roof cargo van with 34k miles, and a 2017 Ford Transit 350 Cargo Van with 50k miles. If a minivan is what you’re after, we have a white 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan with only 38k miles. Check out our site so you can see all of our vehicles currently listed for sale.

Fleet Factoid

The Chevrolet Suburban has been an important fixture in the University’s Fleet for many years but did you know it is also a celebrity? The Suburban is the only car with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame having appeared in over 2,500 movies and TV shows. View the full article from Jalopnik.