How to Prepare Your Van for Winter

It seems that the first frost of winter caught us all by surprise, unfortunately t-shirts and shorts have once again been pushed to the back of the wardrobe and, as the temperature drops and the roads become treacherous, you might want to make sure that your van is prepared.

To make sure that your transition to winter is seamless, follow these few tips!

Keep Your Engine Healthy

We’re sure this goes without saying, but a lot of people are left stranded in winter because they haven’t taken appropriate action to prepare for the cold. Keeping your engine fluid at the optimum level is essential, make sure your antifreeze is topped up and check your manufacturer handbook to see if a thinner engine oil is recommended.

Check Your Tyres

A workman without his van is very limited, and winter tyres can help to make sure you get to each job safely and on time! If you don’t think you’ll be straying too far from well-gritted main roads however, all season tyres are often sufficient.

Ensuring that your tyres are properly inflated and have enough tread is also very important. As they are often carrying heavy loads, worn tyres are a common issue for vans and if they have too little tread, traction and stopping distance will be affected.

Avoid Frozen Locks

Something that is often overlooked in winter vehicle preparations is locks. Once you’ve made it to your job, the last thing you want is not to be able to access your tools! The cold weather can severely impact the long-term health of your locks, making them harder to open and easier to break through. Petroleum jelly or a spray lubricant can help by halting the water before it reaches the internals!

Your Battery Won’t Last Forever

Batteries usually have a life expectancy of five years, during the winter months however, a greater strain is put on them due an increased demand from the heater and lights. With the cold weather also impacting on its performance, this can all increase the likeliness of battery failure! If you notice yours beginning to struggle, replace it to avoid the inconvenience of breaking down.