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Preparing for Icy Conditions

Vanaways
Vanaways
7th Nov 2022
Preparing for Icy Conditions

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.

Vanaways Reviews

   
Jessica Allard

Jessica Allard

11 March 2025

"From start to finish Morgan and the team have been fantastic in sorting 2 new defenders out for us from the quote 3 weeks ago to them being delivered they have been brilliant the deal they got us was unbeatable thank you Lewis @ steve Allard and son stonemasons"

Zoe Batchelor

Zoe Batchelor

17 January 2025

"Love the van, Perfect as the spec I ordered, Saving up for the next one, thank you Adrian and Team, Boyd Batchelor, Tillage Nurseries"

Rob De-Ath

Rob De-Ath

18 June 2024

"Purchased my new ford platinum and Theo brown’s help was 1st class . Quickly responding to all emails and calls answering anything I needed to know to help get my deal over the line . Thank you again Theo I be back in touch at Christmas with my next order 👍😊"

Clare Wood

Clare Wood

19 November 2024

"Just purchased a 2nd van through Vanaways to add to our company fleet. Steve Catley was helpful, communicative and informative all the way through the process. We would definitely use Vanaways again, and would not hesitate to recommend them."

4.9 out of 5 from 442 reviews
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