Before winter you do the usual health checks on your van to ensure it is safe to drive over the winter in the snow, ice and rain; but what about after winter? Yes, we do still have a little more of winter to go but coming into the new year it is important to give your van a full check. Winter can affect your van in multiple ways, so here is everything that you can do so your van is completely ready for the New Year.

Many garages will do health checks for free or for a small charge, or you can do one yourself if not! Start the year off right, here are all the aspects you need to check to complete a full health check on your van:

Tyres

After driving around all winter through the snow, ice and grit you tyres will have worn slightly. So, heading into the new year it is important to check your tyres fully. Make sure you check the tyre pressure and tread depth of each tyre, including your spare tyre (if you have one), using a tyre safety kit. The legal minimum requirement for tyre depth is 1.6mm, make sure you make the check at multiple points around the tyre to see if you have a wheel alignment problem if the depth varies.

Brakes

You should check your brakes multiple times throughout the year, but after winter especially because your brakes can often get clogged up by grit, road salt and other impurities off the roads. When checking your brakes, you need to listen for any squeaking or grinding, feel if your brake pedal is soft, and check if your brake or ABS light is on. If you find that any of these are happening, then take your van to a garage to get them checked urgently.

Suspension

Checking your suspension is easy, to test the condition of your suspension (shock absorbers) you need to simply press down on each corner of your van above the wheel. If you press down on the van and then release it, if it returns to its normal position quickly then your suspension is good. If it seems to return slowly, you will need to get your suspension checked professionally as there may be a problem.

Air Conditioning

You may think checking your air conditioning system in the new year is a little premature, but hadn’t you might as well check your van all at once? So, check that your air conditioning system works properly and doesn’t leak, give it a clean by using a foam paintbrush or change your air filter.

Check Your Fluids

You should be checking your engine oil, coolant and brake fluid regularly, so while performing your new year health check make sure they are all checked too. Fill up each component to the recommended levels, most modern vans do alert you if the levels are too low, but check them anyway.

Wipers and Washers

Checking your wipers after winter is essential because the drop in temperatures can cause your wiper blades to crack along the rubber. It may be best for you to change your wiper blades in the new year if you haven’t had a new set in a while. We offer a huge range of Bosch wiper blades for most vans. Check that your washers are working properly as well just by testing them and fill up your washer fluid to the recommended level.

Detailing

If you are performing all these checks on your van, why wouldn’t you give your van a well-deserved clean inside and out? Everyone’s vehicle is usually in a dirty state after winter, so bring in the new year right with a squeaky clean van! After all the salt that will have built up on your van’s bodywork, it is important to give it a clean to prevent the risk of paint damage and metal corrosion. We have a huge range of Autoglym and Auto Finesse cleaning products to leave your van in it’s best condition.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned your van’s interior, it would be a good idea to buy some seat covers, floor mats or a rear load liner if you don’t already have them to ensure your van’s interior stays as clean as it possibly can!

Include the essentials

Coming into the New Year is all about being organised for the year ahead of you, so make sure you have all the essentials you will need in your van! These essentials include any emergency and breakdown kits that will help you with any roadside malfunction; we have a range of AA products that are perfect to keep in your van. Keeping a first aid kit and LED Torch in your van is perfect to ensure your safety if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road!

Undergo all these checks and cleans on your van to ensure you and your van are ready for the new year; have a great new year’s everyone!