Whether operating an entire fleet or driving your single business van, it’s imperative to keep your vehicle running. Van maintenance is essential for the smooth operation of your vehicles, so it’s key not to let it slip. The good news is, that there are things you or your team can do to prolong the life of your van and ensure it runs well for years to come.
In this post, we’ll share our maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your commercial van.
How can I extend the life of my van?
We have five essential maintenance steps to share with you to extend your van’s lifespan that can be done fairly simply at home or at your base of operations:
- Keep it clean
- Change your oil regularly
- Keep an eye on fluid levels
- Check your tyres
- Follow a maintenance schedule
Change your oil regularly
Just like with your car, oil is a crucial element of your van operating at its best. Oil is needed to lubricate the engine, reduce friction, and prevent wear and tear on components. Without oil, you could cause damage that can rack up costs in repair and replacement bills.
Contaminants like dirt can build up in oil which will inevitably damage your engine. By changing it regularly, you avoid the risk of damage through harmful levels of contaminants.
Keep an eye on fluid levels
One of the most essential steps in enhancing the longevity of your van and its components is regularly checking all fluid levels and not just your oil. Keep an eye on your coolants, power steering fluid, and brake fluid to avoid damage, from minor engine issues to serious accidents.
Keep it clean
Have you ever looked at a sink half-full of dishes to wash and thought ‘I’ll get to that later’, only for later to arrive and the amount of dishes has doubled? Your van can suffer the same fate. If you don’t clean it regularly, that dirt will build up and cause problems such as rust which can be costly to remove.
If you use your van to transport food, a dirty vehicle can lead to cross-contamination of goods. Ensure your van is clean to avoid contaminated foods and the serious ramifications that can cause.
Check your tyres
Any driver will know that there are three things to check when it comes to your tyres:
- Damage (cuts, bulges, sidewall damage, punctures, etc)
- Tread depth
- Tyre pressure
Check for damage. Any cuts from sharp objects, anything stuck in the tread, and any unusual bulges need to be investigated to avoid repairs and the possibility of a flat tyre while on the go.
Keep on top of your tyre’s tread depth. The law is a minimum depth of 1.6mm across the central three quarters, but it’s recommended not to let it dip below 3mm for optimum performance. The thinner the tyre tread, the less your wheels can grip the road, which can result in accidents and damage.
Tyres naturally lose air over time, so it’s important to check the pressure is at a good level and keep it topped up accordingly. Deflating tyres can lead to loss of road grip and extended brake times, causing damage to the vehicle and accidents.
Follow a maintenance schedule
Our final tip, and perhaps the most important, is to create a maintenance schedule. Carry out full checks of your vehicle at least once a year, or more depending on the age and condition of your van.
By regularly cleaning your vehicle and checking its tyres, fluid levels, electrics and other necessary parts, you can prevent damage while also keeping on top of any issues that may start small and can be rectified quickly.
Expert advice from Norfolk Truck & Van
If you find yourself without the time to check your van, leave it to the professionals. Our teams at Norfolk Truck & Van in Norfolk, Suffolk and London are on hand and ready to service your vehicle with years of experience and knowledge under their belts. We cover the servicing of all major commercial vehicle brands, as well as deliver expert MOTs and tachograph calibrations.
Maximise the lifespan and condition of your van with our helpful tips or by visiting us and letting the experts do the work for you. To arrange a service, get in touch with your local depot today.
For the Norfolk depot, call 01603 253 300. For the Suffolk depot, call 01473 834 200. For the London depot, call 0208 804 1266. For our Norwich Van centre, call 01603 253 999.