As the days grow shorter and the weather begins to worsen, we decided to write this informative piece on how to get your Van ready for Winter.
We recommend that you follow these 10 easy tips:
1.) Battery:
The cold weather is hard on batteries. They do not perform to their best at low temperatures. Most batteries have a lifespan of between 2 to 4 years. It is important to check if your battery needs to be replaced within this time frame. This will save you the bother of needing a jump start (especially in bad weather conditions).
2.) Tyres:
Tyres need to be thoroughly inspected. Each tyre needs to be checked for pressure. Tyre thread should be at a minimum of 3mm. Look for bulges or signs of puncture, glass, nails or any other sharp objects. Check that the spare tyre is okay and that there is a jack in your van. For countries that get heavy snowfall in the Winter, we would suggest swapping your normal tyres for snow tyres.
3.) Brakes:
We strongly urge that you get all elements of your brakes checked over by a mechanic, including brake pads, discs and shoes to establish they are all working efficiently.
4.) Engine oil:
Did you know that your engine needs to be serviced every 30,000 miles? This service should include an oil change. The cold weather can ruin your oil as temperatures drop it can change the thickness this resulting in your engine not being lubricated enough. You also need to check your engine oil level regularly, ensuring it never goes below the minimum level on the dipstick.
5.) Filters:
This is a good time of year to also change your fuel, oil and air filters. An engine that is not in good working order means it is not functioning at it highest capability.
6.) Lights:
It is important to keep indicators, headlights and rear taillights clean so that your van remains visible to other vehicles on the road in low sun light and bad weather conditions. Ensure that all lights are working correctly and replace any bulbs if necessary.
7.) Windscreen and Wipers:
Once again, visibility is so significant and it can be impaired due to the low sun light and bad weather. Two conditions that you have no control over. We firmly recommend that you clean the inside and outside of your windscreen completely and ensure that your heater and defroster are both working properly to keep your windscreen clear at all times. Check your wipers and replace if necessary. We also suggest a mixture of water and windscreen washer fluid as just having water means it can freeze. Keeping a pair of sunglasses in your van can help when the Winter sun is low in the sky.
8.) Anti-Freeze:
Similarly to the engine oil, the coolant level should be checked regularly and topped up if needed. It is best to use pink pre-mixed coolant.
9.) Belts and Hoses:
Cold weather can also affect belts and hoses as it causes them to perish. It is important to inspect them for wear and tear and replace if necessary.
10.) Emergency Kit:
Lastly, we advise that you carry a homemade emergency kit in your van with the following items;
- high vis vest/ jacket,
- flashlight (with extra batteries),
- water (maybe some food if going on a long journey),
- de-icer and scraper,
- demisting cloth,
- in-vehicle phone charger,
- first aid kit,
- blanket,
- tow rope,
- hazard warning triangle,
- shovel,
- fire extinguisher,
- jump leads for battery, &
- tyre chains (if in a country with heavy snow fall).
In conclusion, we strongly recommend that you Get your Van ready for Winter to be one step ahead of the bad weather and to ensure your safety on the roads.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic or if you need some assistance with Getting your Van ready for Winter then contact us here at Mercedes Sprinters Van Sales and we can help you out.