Total Installer May-June 2019

SPONSORED BY
7 REGULAR CHECKS FOR YOUR VAN
By Charles Stubbings, Account Manager, Moneybarn.
For the majority of van owners, a commercial vehicle is key to trade and having it off the road takes
its toll on business. With that in mind, Moneybarn has put together seven important maintenance
checks you can carry out to keep your van on the road.
“Tyres must be inflated
to the manufacturer’s
specification for the
weight of the load”
1Tidy tyres LCV tyres, like car tyres, must
have a minimum 1.6mm of tread. Bald
tyres not only increase the likelihood of an
accident due to less grip but could also keep you
off the road while you find a spare.
Tyres must be inflated to the vehicle
manufacturer’s specification for the weight of the
load, so refer to your handbook to find the right
pressure for your van.
Under-inflated tyres generate more heat from
friction, causing more wear and tear to the tyres
and impacting fuel consumption. Similarly, overinflated
tyres cause premature wear on the centre
of the tyre.
2Under the bonnet Before you open the
bonnet, check underneath your van for any
leaks. Under the bonnet, check the oil,
water/coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid
and windscreen washer fluid. Perform these
checks weekly and before any long journey.
After the fluids, take a look at the battery. Check
the condition of the terminals and cables for any
signs of cracking, breaking or built-up residue. If
you notice any of these, book your van in with a
mechanic as soon as possible.
3Door check A van is broken into every 23
minutes in the UK, so it’s crucial your
doors lock and close properly.
Van doors are subject to wear and tear every day,
being pulled open and slammed shut multiple
times at each job. During a routine walk around,
you should check all doors can be opened and
closed properly and with ease. Test the rear doors
by opening them fully and if your van has a side
door, check it stays on its runners when it opens
and closes.
4Light it up It’s a legal requirement to have
all lights on your van working properly.
Routinely walk around your van and test
they’re all working. For your brake lights, you’ll
need another person to help you.
If you notice a light isn’t working correctly, you’ll
need to replace the bulb. However, if this doesn’t
work, it could be a wiring issue – in which case,
you’ll need to take the vehicle to a garage to fix
the problem. LCV owners should also make sure
lights are clean, as dirty lights or those with
reduced visibility can impact your driving and that
of those around you.
5Stay visible Windscreen wipers must be
able to clear the windscreen effectively. If
they leave streaks or squeak when passing
over the windscreen, it means they’ve become
worn and need to be replaced.
You should also check for any chips or cracks in
the windscreen. Even a tiny bit of damage could
end up cracking the whole screen, which is
incredibly dangerous while driving.
6Keep it clean It’s recommended you wash
your van at least once a month to avoid
any permanent damage or staining to the
paintwork. Keeping it clean will also reduce the
likelihood of rust appearing. Although it won’t help
your van’s performance, having a clean exterior
also provides the professional image you want to
project to customers.
7And finally… You should be aware of your
van’s gross and axle weight limits.
Remember the total vehicle weight
includes the combined weight of the driver,
passengers, load and fuel. Not only is loading an
LCV above its weight limit illegal, but it also
causes excessive wear and tear on the van and
undue strain on tyres. This increases the risk of
tyre failure, resulting in downtime for repair.
Regularly serviced and maintained vehicles
should breakdown less often but consider making
these checks regularly for LCVs that work offroad,
perform high mileage or are subject to
extreme conditions.
Contact Moneybarn
0330 555 1230
www.moneybarn.com/van-finance/
@MoneybarnUK
76 TIJULY/AUG 2019 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST