You only have to look out of your bedroom window in a morning when you get up to
see that it is freezing cold outside. As a motorist, you will be aware that this is the time of year when some motor vehicles such as vans may struggle to start if they have not been serviced. As a courier driver running your own business, it is imperative that your light commercial vehicle is working correctly otherwise it is highly unlikely you will be able to do your work and if you can’t do that then your income will suffer.

As mentioned above, you should make sure that your van is serviced on a regular basis and the garage will do many of the things that we mention below. You may feel in the current economic climate you don’t want the expense of forking out for a service but in the long term it should be beneficial.

Make sure that the van is cleaned both inside and outside on a regular basis. You don’t really want the bodywork getting covered in salt from the road gritters as this may damage the paintwork in the long term. Make sure that the carpeting and mats do not get wet and if they do to dry them out to avoid mold. These things could affect how much the van is worth when you come to sell it.

Check the oil level on a regular basis along with the coolant level and make sure that the windscreen washer reservoir is topped up and has suitable screen wash in it. You don’t want the later two fluids freezing over for obvious reasons.

Make sure that your tyres are roadworthy and have good grip as this will ensure that they work effectively on snow and ice that we tend to come across at this time of year.

It gets darker quicker at this time of year so make sure that all your lights are working ensuring that you can see ahead and be seen.

Are your windscreen wipers working effectively? If not – change them.

Have your brakes checked and if necessary have the brake pads/discs changed.

When you have finished for the day, if possible, park your van on your drive rather than on the road as it is less likely to be hit by a passing vehicle that may loose control on an icy road.

Carry extra warm clothing, a pair of boots, as shovel and spare food and a drink incase you break down or get caught in a snowdrift.

We do hope that you have found the above of some benefit. Stay safe.