For many tradespeople and van owners who use their vehicle for leisure, it’s imperative that their van is safe to drive and in working order at all times. This is when a van becomes more than simply a vehicle.
It’s the backbone of daily operations, whether you use your van for commercial or domestic purposes. Whether you’re transporting equipment, goods or your family to a beautiful summer location, unexpected breakdowns can lead to missed appointments, unhappy customers or a disappointing mini-break.
That’s why it’s important that your van remains reliable throughout the year, regardless of the season. In this article, we’ll be telling you how you can keep your work van eligible all year round.
Stick to a regular van servicing schedule
Routine servicing is the foundation of vehicle reliability, whether it be a van or a car. At regular intervals, and following manufacturers’ recommendations, you should have routine maintenance carried out on your van. This will help to identify minor issues before they become a major, expensive problem. A professional service will typically include, depending on the tier you choose, the following things:
- Engine oil and filter replacement
- Air and fuel filter inspections
- Brake checks
- Suspension inspection
- Fluid level top-ups
- Battery testing
- General safety inspection
Even if your van appears to be running smoothly, skipping arranged van servicing will reduce fuel efficiency, increase wear on important components and parts and shorten the lifespan of the van overall.
Frequently check your tyres
Tyres have a significant impact on things like fuel economy, overall reliability and, most importantly, safety. As work vans in particular are often required to carry heavy loads, tyres will therefore wear more quickly than those on passenger vehicles. With this in mind, your van tyres need more regular checks, such as uneven tread wear, cuts, bulges, punctures, sidewall damage and correct tyre pressure. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure will improve handling and reduce fuel consumption, therefore helping your van tyres to last longer. Don’t forget to rotate your tyres when recommended and replace them before the tread becomes dangerously low.
Monitor all fluid levels
Your van’s fluid levels go far beyond just windscreen washer. There are several essential fluids that will keep your van operating efficiently. Low or contaminated fluids can quickly lead to mechanical failure if left unchecked. This doesn’t make for a reliable van. As such, you should check a range of van fluid levels, including engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid and, of course, windscreen washing fluid. It’s a good habit to inspect fluid levels every few weeks or before going on a long journey.
Keep the battery in good condition
Battery problems are among the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns, especially during the winter months. There are some signs to look out for that suggest your battery needs some attention, including slow engine cranking, dim headlights, dashboard warning lights and electrical faults. Upon inspection of the battery, if corrosion is present, then you should clean the terminals and have the battery tested on a yearly basis. If the battery itself is several years old, then it’s sensible to consider having the battery replaced for additional peace of mind.
Prepare for all adverse weather conditions
While it might be summer now, the weather can still surprise you. From extreme heat to torrential downpours and everything in between, the summer months don’t necessarily mean it’s an easy ride for vans. The same goes for the winter season. While it might be generally cold, it can still snow or ice over, and all van owners need to be prepared for such weather extremes, whether it is hot or cold. Here’s how to prepare for the summer and winter seasons:
How to prepare your van for summer
- Inspect coolant levels regularly
- Check van air conditioning performance
- Monitor tyre pressures as heat can increase air pressure
- Watch engine temperature gauges carefully during heavy traffic
How to prepare your van for winter
- Check antifreeze levels
- Replace worn windscreen wipers
- Ensure heaters and demisters work properly
- Carry an ice scraper and de-icer
- Keep an emergency kit in the vehicle
Don’t ignore dashboard warning lights
Most modern vehicles will be equipped with sophisticated onboard diagnostic lights that alert the drivers when something occurs which requires immediate attention. If you ignore these dashboard warning lights, then it can transform the problem from a relatively simple and inexpensive repair into a major mechanical problem, which can also be incredibly expensive to fix or replace. With this in mind, if a warning light appears on your dashboard, you should identify what it’s indicating, consult your manual and arrange for a professional (such as us here VanServ) to diagnose and rectify the issues promptly. Addressing problems early will almost always cost less than delaying the required repair.
Avoid overloading your van
Every work van has a maximum payload capacity set by the manufacturer. Consistently exceeding the limit can result in poor handling, tyre failures, suspension damage, brake wear and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, it’s important that you distribute the cargo as evenly as possible and make sure that you avoid carrying unnecessary equipment that adds extra weight needlessly.
Ensure your van is clean
This might not seem like an important step in ensuring the reliability of your van, but it’s actually about more than just the appearance of the van. Road salt, mud, dirt and moisture can encourage corrosion, especially underneath the vehicle, for instance. If you wash your van regularly, it also gives you an opportunity to pay close attention to things like:
- Wheel arches
- Undercarriage
- Door seals
- Drainage channels
The next step is to open up the can and remove loose debris that could be interfering with pedals or that could, potentially, damage your much-needed equipment. This is just another reason to keep your van clean.
Drive sensibly
Driving smoothly and sensibly has a direct impact on van reliability, believe it or not. For instance, harsh acceleration, heavy braking and excessive speeding will place unnecessary stress and wear on the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension and tyres. Smooth driving reduces wear while improving fuel economy and extending the life of the van’s major parts and components.
If you’d like further information about how VanServ can help to keep your van running reliably, including van servicing, air conditioning services, gearbox replacements and more, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today – we’re always on hand to help.