How To Prepare Your Van for the Winter Months
Winter is here and that means its time to carry out some essential checks that will ensure your van is ready for the coldest of months.
Indeed, as the nights get longer and the weather turns chillier, it is important to adjust your driving to compensate for the challenging conditions and pack a few extra supplies in case you’re ever caught in the cold.
Make sure both you and your van are prepared for the winter months with these top tips:
Be More Vigilent on the Road
Wintery months bring with it shorter days with the sun rising later in the morning and the sun setting in early in the evening.
The weather will also change, which means driving conditions can become challenging, particularly if it is wet and dark. Moreover, cold snaps will bring the risk of ice on the road, as well as snow, sleet and fog.
Statistics show a notable increase in the number of road traffic accidents during winter months, so be sure to adopt caution on the road and look out for vulnerable road users like cyclists, bikers and pedestrians.
Stay on top of Van Maintenance
Invest in a winter check for your van ahead of the change in conditions to ensure your vehicle is in the best possible state to manage the colder months.
A winter check should assess the battery, brakes, tyres, lights and wiper blades to ensure they are all in good working order, or whether they will need replacing.
Fit Cold-weather Tyres
Don't make the mistake of thinking that winter tyres are only for snowy conditions. Winter tyres offer many benefits no matter if the weather is damp, wet or dry.
They're made of a softer compound than a regular tyre, which grips the road surface better in temperatures under seven degrees Celsius, where a standard tyre becomes hard - offering less traction.
Grippier winter tyres are particularly useful for vans, which have to consider the impact driving with a potentially heavy payload can have on the level of grip and traction on the road.
Winter tyres can also help in rural areas, providing enhanced traction and handling on slopes and bends.
Keep Screenwash Topped Up
There is a good chance you’ll be working your way through the screenwash during the winter months, so it’s a smart idea to ensure you have a spare supply ready for when you need a top up.
Not only do windscreens take a drubbing from the rainier, frostier weather during winter months, but the abrasive salt – which is laid on roads to tackle ice – will coat your windscreen and significantly reduce visibility.
Be mindful of your wiper blades too – salt on the windscreen can be damaging to the blades if not lubricated beforehand. So, make sure you always carry a spare bottle.
Pack an Emergency Supply Kit
It is worthwhile adopting an attitude of ‘prepare for the worst’ when it comes to driving during winter months.
As such, packing an emergency kit of essentials might well prove a lifesaver if it is ever needed.
This should include a shovel in case you get stuck in snow, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, boots, an ice scraper/de-icer, jump leads, a tow rope, and high-energy food.
Carry Extra Clothes
Pack a set of warm clothes and coats to ensure you can wrap up in case you find yourself stranded on the roadside after a breakdown or incident.
