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After a couple of mild winters in recent years, you might not be too worried about whether your van is suitable for cold-weather driving. However, the escalation of climate change means that the weather has a tendency to turn quickly in the UK, and more adverse weather conditions could be just around the corner.
At Van Sales UK, the best advice that we can give van drivers as we head into winter would be to avoid going out in icy conditions. But, as a tradesperson, your livelihood often relies upon you getting to your customers whatever the weather – driving through heavy rain, ice and snow is often a necessity. With a little foresight and planning, however, you can make things a lot more straightforward for you and your van.
How to Prepare Your Van for Icy Conditions
Before you head out on a job, you should always ensure that your van is fit for driving in adverse weather conditions by carrying out the following checks:
- Check the condition of your van’s battery, including the electrolyte level. Its efficiency can be affected by low temperatures, and it can be expensive to replace. Many local garages offer free checks – a service that is well worth taking advantage of.
- Ensure that your tyre pressure is adequate. They should ideally have a depth of 3mm to provide maximum grip. If you live in an area prone to temperamental weather, consider switching to winter tyres.
- You should always have a sufficient level of engine coolant. Make sure that you have enough antifreeze to avoid damage.
- Stock up on windscreen washer fluid as you’re likely to use more during icy conditions. You should also increase the concentration to prevent the water from freezing.
- Inspect your windscreen wipes – with more grit and salt on the road, they still need to be able to clear your windscreen efficiently.
You should also try and keep your van undercover to minimise the effect of frost and ice. If this isn’t possible, putting a little bit of WD40 on the locks, along with a thin coat of silicone-based furniture polish on the rubber door seals can stop both the lock and the door from freezing shut.
Winter Van Essentials
While you may already have some of these items already stored in your van, it’s always best to make sure that you’re stocked up to prepare for any eventuality:
- De-icer
- An ice scraper
- Jump leads
- A shovel – to dig yourself out if need be
- A tow rope
- A piece of old carpet or rags – can be placed under your van’s wheels to prevent them from skidding
- A torch
- A blanket – to keep warm if you need to wait for help
- Boots and other cold weather protection
- A first-aid kit
- A warm drink and some food
Prepare for Winter with Van Sales UK
When you’re going out in icy conditions, you want to be sure that you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle you can trust. At Van Sales UK, we stock a vast range of reliable new and used vans from leading brands, available for outright purchase as well as hire purchase, finance lease and contract hire. All of our contracts come complete with manufacturers’ warranty and breakdown cover and include free mainland UK delivery. For more information about any of our vans, please get in touch today.
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