For small business owners, missed jobs, late deliveries and unreliability are huge issues that can really impact business and reputation, and honestly, it’s not something you can afford to experience at all, never mind on a regular basis.
And if you’re spending a lot of time on the road moving between customers, i.e. as an electrician or plumber, or you deliver products you sell, you need a vehicle you can rely on. But as a van owner, you already know this.
This post is going to walk through some simple maintenance habits you should get into the habit of doing to help you avoid problems that can take you off the road and reduce repairs.
Battery Checks
Batteries don’t last forever, and a failing battery is the number one cause of why cars won’t start, especially after cold nights or long weekends.
Most van batteries last around three to five years, depending on the battery, so if you’re getting close to this point or you aren’t sure if the battery has ever been changed, now is the time to rectify this.
When replacing, always check for the manufacturer’s recommended van battery to ensure you get the right one. Not all van batteries fit all vans and you need the correct specifications for your van — the right capacity (Ah), cold cranking amps (CCA) and size.
Tyres and Pressure
You should be performing visual checks of your tyres on a regular basis. You’re looking for uneven wear, signs of damage, bulges or anything else that can impact the ability of the tyre to perform and keep you safe on the road.
You should also be checking inflation regularly, too, as underinflated tyres increase fuel use, reduce handling and overheat on long runs. Overinflated tyres, on the other hand, reduce grip and wear unevenly. Always check your tyre pressures before you hit the road and top up if you feel you need it.
Next, you should be checking that your tyre depth is above the legal limit of 1.5mm or the edge of a 20p coin, if that’s easier. If it’s below, you need them changed immediately. It’s not a suggestion but a legal requirement.
Lights and Visibility
Light bulbs fail; it’s standard and one of those regular wear-and-tear things. But not replacing or not realising they’ve failed is a big problem. You can land yourself in trouble with the police with a fine, or you can cause an accident, as other road users won’t know your intentions on the road.
Check headlight, brake lights, indicators and fog lights on a regular basis. It’s quick and easy and essential.
Then check things like wiper blades — essential for heavy rain. If you can’t wipe the rain from your windscreen, visibility will be massively reduced, leading to increased road traffic accidents. If your wipers are inefficient or are smearing when wiping, they need replacing sooner rather than later.
Load and Weight
Overloading causes more damage than you might realise. All vans have a max capacity for a reason, as this is what the suspension, tyres and braking systems can handle.
Overloading can not only put increased pressure on the system, reducing handling and increasing wear, but it can also invalidate your insurance if anything happens.
Know the payload. Respect it and distribute weight evenly rather than stacking all in one place. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
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