July 29th, 2010
If you run a van or even a fleet of vans for your business, then you will know how expensive it can be; particularly when you add in the costs of van insurance, road tax and garage repairs.
But one way to keep the costs of running a van down, is to look after your van and ensure that you maintain it properly. There are little things that you should keep on top of in order to keep your van or vans in good running order.
Firstly, ensure that your windscreen wash is full. Check your oil level too. This is easily done using the dipstick. Fill up your oil if the level is a little low.
You should also ensure that your coolant is kept to the right level. This ensures that the engine doesn’t overheat and is vital, particularly when the vehicle is being used a lot.
Tyre pressure is something else that needs to be monitored. Having the right tyre pressure means that the vehicle can drive much more effectively and it also means that the van doesn’t use up as much petrol. While you are checking your tyre pressure, you should also check your tyre tread. If this is not to the required level then you could be driving a dangerous vehicle.
By monitoring all of the above, you will be keeping your van in good working order meaning that it will cost less in the long run.
July 18th, 2010
Replacing the tyres on your van may be costly, but they are the only point of contact you have with the road so it’s essential that they are up to standard in case you need to stop quickly.
The minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre width, and this will be checked when your van has its MOT. It’s really important that you are aware how much tread your tyres have, because it can really affect the stopping distance of the vehicle in different weather conditions.
You can buy a tyre tread depth gauge from your local car or van spares and accessories shop and keep it in the vehicle to randomly check the depth of your tyres.
It’s all well and good trying to save money on fuel costs and also on van insurance, but you should never compromise on health and safety. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your tyres are in a good state of repair and you check them frequently for any damage or defects.
July 12th, 2010
When you take your van in for a service, you may be in for a shock. If you haven’t been fully maintaining your van, then it might be that you end up with a hefty bill at the end of the service. But there are things you can do to look after your van so that repair bills are greatly reduced. These are all very basic maintenance tips, but they can have a big impact on the overall condition of your van.
Firstly, you should check your oil levels on a regular basis. Use a dipstick to check the oil. The oil should be dark and clean looking and you should top it up if the level is too low.
Another thing to check is coolant. This can have a big impact on the working of your engine and also on whether the engine overheats. So always ensure that there is enough coolant in your vehicle.
The tyres are really important when it comes to van maintenance. The tyre pressure needs to be at the right level to ensure that the vehicle doesn’t have to work too hard to get up to speed. Having the right tyre pressure is also beneficial for saving money on fuel too.
Follow these simple steps to keep your van in good working condition so you won’t be shocked at your next service.
July 9th, 2010
It can be an expensive business running a van on a daily basis, but there are some things that you can do to keep on top of the van’s maintenance.
If your van is due its annual MOT, there is no point just taking it to the testing station and letting it fail. You can check out a few things yourself first, that if faulty would mean an automatic fail.
• Check all the car lights work; this includes the headlights, taillights and even number plate lights.
• The windscreen wipers are a common point of fail. Lift them off the windscreen and check to see if the rubber is delaminating from the wiper.
• The horn and windscreen washers need to be working to pass an MOT.
• The handbrake needs to able to hold your van in position, even if it parked on a hill.
• All seatbelts must work.
• Both driver side and passenger side mirrors must be in place and not cracked or broken.
• There must be no cracks in the windscreen or damage that will affect the driver’s field of view.
• Tyre tread depths must be 1.6mm over ¾ of the width of each tyre to pass an MOT.
You might not have the skills to adjust or repair these things yourself, but if you have them sorted out before the MOT, you will stand a better chance of the vehicle passing.
July 7th, 2010
There are a number of ways that you can save petrol or diesel costs if you drive a van. The cost of running a van seems to be increasing every year, so by making small changes to your driving style and following a few simple tips, you too can save money.
Adopt the right driving style
Driving your van erratically can actually increase the amount of fuel that you use. If you speed or even drive at a steady 70mph on the motorway, you could be using more fuel than necessary. It is a proven fact that if you drive at around 60mph on the motorway you will save a considerable amount of fuel over the year than if you drive at 70mph. Sudden acceleration and heavy braking can also contribute to excessive fuel consumption. You might get to your destination a couple of minutes sooner but it will have cost you more.
Maintain your van
If your van is serviced regularly, you can save fuel over the course of a year. Just changing the air filter alone can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. If your tyres are under inflated, this can also increase fuel costs. And carrying unnecessary heavy items in your van can also increase the amount of fuel you use.
Air conditioning uses about 10% more fuel than if you drive without it turned on and drag from roof bars and open windows can increase the amount of fuel you use further.
June 27th, 2010
It can be devastating to take your company vehicle into the garage for a service only to find that they have to keep it in for a few days because there are some problems that need fixing.
Not only is this frustrating because you will be without your van and therefore unable to conduct your business in the normal way, but it can also be very costly.
So that is why it is essential to properly maintain your van to ensure that these major problems don’t build up.
You should check your oil every month using a dipstick. Add more oil if necessary, but always change your oil on a quarterly basis to ensure that the van performs to its best standards.
Check the air filter once a month too and replace this if it’s dirty. Also, look at your spark plugs and replace them if they are too worn.
The coolant level should be checked once a week and the brake fluid level needs to be checked on a monthly basis.
The tyres should also be checked on a regular basis and the correct pressure should always be maintained to ensure that you are driving a safe and efficient vehicle.
Carrying out these regular checks may prevent you from getting a shock when you next take your van into the garage.
June 1st, 2010
Do you use your van for commercial purposes? If you use your van for tasks such as carrying goods then you need to make sure you are adequately insured. Large scale organisations can always replace the van with a spare van whenever anything goes wrong with the van. However, self-employed workers and small-scale organisations will suffer major losses as they rely on the use of only one or two vans. This is the reason why you should opt for the right van insurance policy.
Are your insurance premiums bothering you?
You are probably still undecided which level of cover to take due to expensive insurance premiums. And your total vehicle outgoings can add up to a lot of money. However, you can reduce the total amount of money you spend on the vehicle with regular maintenance.
Van maintenance tips
You should make sure that you service and maintain your van regularly to avoid major repairs. If your van is still under warranty then take your van back to the manufacturer if you have any mechanical problems. Check your oil level regularly to prevent any problems with the engine. Similarly, check the water level and coolant level in the engine as well. In addition, you should also examine the tyre pressure from time to time. Low tyre pressure will affect the fuel consumption and you could be spending to much money on fuel.
May 26th, 2010
Regular van maintenance is important if you use the vehicle for commercial purposes such as for transporting goods. It is essential when the vehicle is your only source of income. It is important that you service the vehicle regularly to prevent any major repairs. Weekly or monthly servicing trips can help you immensely in the long run.
Tyres – This is one component which requires up-to-date maintenance to avoid any major problems. Ensure that you check the tyre pressure regularly as incorrect pressure can affect the steering of a van. This can eventually lead to accidents and this will severely affect your insurance premiums in the next year even if it is a minor incident. In addition, check the tread on the tyres. You will have to pay a fine if you have illegal tyre treads.
Oil – Regular engine oil checks form an integral part of van maintenance. Ensure that there is a sufficient level of oil in the engine. This will ensure that all the van parts are working properly. A reduction in oil levels can affect the engine resulting in expensive repair bills.
Water/coolant – Engine water and coolant play an important role in the cooling of the engine. You can curb repair bills by checking the water level in the engine. Water freezing is a common problem in the winter season. You can prevent the problem by ensuring that the anti-freeze levels are sufficient.
May 26th, 2010
Vans function as the main source of income and employment for many individuals and small-scale firms. Thus, it is important that you maintain your van regularly to enhance the performance of the vehicle. Here are few basic and simple procedures which will help in maintaining your van.
1. Water or coolant
Engine water and coolant play a vital role in maintaining the temperature of the engine. Both the coolant and water keep the engine cool. Therefore, you should check the level of water in the engine. This will save you from any major repair bills. You should also check the anti freeze levels in the water to avoid water freezing. Water freezing is a common problem in the winter months.
2. Washer fluid
Never allow the washer fluid to run out as it can affect the visibility of the driver. You cannot clean the windscreen if the washer fluid runs out. This will increase the chances of an accident, which will in turn affect your van insurance premiums.
3. Brake fluid
This is one of the most simple maintenance procedures. At the same time, it is also one of the most important. Check the brake fluid level to avoid any major accident.
