Comprehensive insurance cover is a way of keeping a van in good shape because you then have no reason not to have repairs fixed when minor accidents occur involving just the driver. This is whether they are the owner or employee of a company. So, look to companies like one sure insurance to provide a cover beyond just third-party insurance.
Van maintenance is one of the common considerations for a sole trader or company, but many owners do not realise how to keep their vehicles in tip-top condition for years to come. And many of these tips are free or even cost nothing at all. Van maintenance isn’t rocket science or even something that requires employees to have an advanced understanding of mechanics, so let’s run through a few of the basics.
Keeping it in Good Shape: Van Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know.
As a van owner, you need to count on your vehicle to get you through the working week and into the weekend. But, like any machine, your van will wear out over time and may start to develop problems. To keep your van in good shape, you need to maintain your vehicle regularly – and here are some helpful tips and tricks for doing just that:
- Don’t forget to check your oil level and change it at regular intervals. One of the most common causes of engine wear is an inadequate oil change, leading to internal engine damage and potential future failure. Well, over time, vans can lose their lubrication. It’s a natural part of van maintenance and a necessary safety precaution to avoid any potential engine damage. So, make sure that you are checking your van’s oil levels and change them when needed.
- Replace your brake pads annually, but not all the other parts. Brake pads wear down as a result of friction, which occurs when one of the pads contacts the wheel, causing the pad to heat up and release small amounts of carbon. This wear happens faster in colder weather because the brake pads have to work harder to make the same friction. Brake pads may be replaced more frequently in the summer because the brake pads wear faster in the heat. Typically, a brake pad should be replaced once a year.
- Execute tyre maintenance. Do tyre maintenance at least once a year. It’s a good idea to have your tyres checked once or twice a year. You’ll find that a tyre gives you a lot of information about how your van is running, its condition, your driving habits, and the cold weather.
- Keep it cool by parking it somewhere in the shade. When you drive your van in the heat of the summer, there’s a good chance that you could damage it. But you can reduce this risk by parking it in the shade or covering it so that it doesn’t get sun-beaten and wear out prematurely.
- Build a long-term relationship with the van dealership. When you first buy a van, you can make a lasting impression on the person who makes the sale. You are essentially buying their goodwill, and that first impression can last a lifetime. Of course, you will also have to have a long-term relationship with the dealership to make sure your van is in good standing.
- Buy a good quality vehicle cleaning product. All professionals recommend you use a cleaning product that has UV light and oxygen. Both can remove dirt and grime from your van.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your van in good shape is to be sure to drive it in good shape. If it is dirty, not well maintained, or in any other way not working properly, it probably won’t be a reliable driver when it needs to be. If you don’t drive it, it isn’t getting proper maintenance. However, if you do drive it the proper way, you can keep it in good shape so that it will last longer.
Returning to the insurance side of van upkeep, it has to be said that a comprehensive insurance policy will mean that any damage sustained is covered, whoever caused it. This protects a vehicle from employees, in a sense, and means that even a slight chip to the windscreen can be fixed without great cost to a business. Otherwise, there is that temptation to leave any damage caused to save money. So, this type of policy can be seen as a way of making sure that a van remains well maintained, just like following the list of tips above.
Conclusion
When it comes to van maintenance, you don’t want to skip a step. Remembering the easy-to-miss yet important details of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule can help you avoid costly repairs. You don’t want to take a chance with a van that could be causing costly problems or break down and result in you letting a customer down.
Keeping your van in a good state of tune is a must, but it’s also one of the more expensive hobbies. If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, you’ll also be in a prime location to do the maintenance on your van. However, if you’re the type of person who doesn’t have a spare hour to spend on your van (we all have them, right?) and who struggles to find the time to do the actual maintenance you need to do, maybe you should look at keeping your van in great shape with regular services conducted by your local garage mechanic.