Winter is here, which only means one thing, it’s time to get your refrigerated van ready for the cold season. It might appear outlandish to suggest you need to prepare your vehicle for the winter, however, there are dangers you could face if you don’t do it correctly.
Today, we will inform you how to get your refrigerated van ready for winter, and discuss the potential consequences you may face.
Buy an ice scraper
A simple yet effective tool you can buy that can keep your van running is an ice scraper. This has been a lifesaver for all types of vehicles during the winter, due to its ability to remove ice from your windscreen and windows. It’s equally effective on a refrigerated vehicle too, as with one stroke you can remove any ice that is blocking your view from the driver seat. As mentioned before, this tool has proven to save countless lives when weather conditions have been difficult to manage.
Without question, you’re at risk of dangering yourself or other road users if you don’t effectively remove any ice or snow before setting off. Your view will be seriously reduced due to the heavy snow or ice sticking to your windscreen or mirrors. The blind spot of a driver driving a refrigerated van is reduced further compared to a car user, as you don’t have a rearview mirror. So, you must avoid making this worse for yourself, and try to enhance your vision on the road as much as possible.
Don’t let this put you off buying a refrigerated van, as without a doubt they’re great to drive. But just be wary of the risks you may face when it is freezing temperatures, and the vehicle becomes frequently vulnerable to ice and snow. So, where can you buy an ice scraper from I hear you ask? Well, you can purchase one from the majority of hardware stores or online retailers. All products are available at reasonable prices, so you won’t need to worry about paying over the odds for them. We recommend you browse on Amazon or Halfords, as these two shops provide the best quality ice scrapers in the business.
Assess your tyres thoroughly
Another simple task you can do to get your refrigerated van ready for winter is to asses your tyres thoroughly on a regular basis. Driving in the winter can prove to be challenging at times, especially if you have to face black ice on the road. So, assessing your tyres before you start your journey can be very beneficial, as you will be guaranteeing the safety of your vehicle on the road.
There are a few things you can look out for when checking your tyres. Firstly, is there any wear or tear noticeable? If so, to what extent? If it’s only minor, this is allowed, but if it’s extremely obvious and doesn’t look great, we highly recommend you replace the tyres promptly. This is to prevent any danger you could face on the road, as during icy conditions your tyres will not be reliable enough to drive you through it.
Also, frequently monitoring the PSI level of your tyres is essential before driving the vehicle, as this shows if they’re inflated or not. Naturally, you can lose air in your tyres each month, but during the winter months, you can face obstacles that could damage your tyres, and decrease the air within them. It’s simple enough to check the air pressure of your tyres, all you need to do is unscrew the valve cap and firmly attach the air pressure gauge. You’ll hear a noise from the machine, and it then displays the current pressure.
Make sure to have the right pressure for the tyre, as different manufacturers have varied pressure limits. It’s also worth noting if you didn’t know already, the front and rear tyres have different air pressure limits – so keep an eye out for that.
Top up antifreeze regularly
If you’re a seasoned driver, you will know the importance of antifreeze, but if you’re a newbie and aren’t fully sure what it is or how it works then don’t worry, we will explain. Antifreeze is a coloured liquid that prevents water in the cooling system from freezing during the winter months. It’s a key component for your refrigerated van, as the coolant is pumped throughout the engine to maintain an even temperature.
Antifreeze is used all year round but typically needs more attention during the colder months. If you’re not sure where to find it in your van, then don’t panic, it’s quite easy to spot. There will be a cap with a warning sign displayed on it, and this is to warn you not to open it whilst the engine is hot or running. So, do us a favour, don’t open it if you’re unsure!
If you’re still unsure and would like to learn more, get in touch with our team today and we can provide you with any extra information you may need.
Keep on top of maintenance
Whilst using our other tips to get your refrigerated van ready for winter, it’s equally vital that you keep on top of the basic maintenance of the vehicle. This is arguably the most important thing you do for your van during the winter, as you don’t want to skip out on any tasks and then something goes wrong.
If you would prefer this is done by an expert, then we highly encourage you to seek their opinion on your van. The mechanic will thoroughly conduct a test to make sure everything is functioning correctly with zero issues. They will also give you advice if you encounter any problems in the future, so you don’t need to worry about them leaving you dry after inspection. For more maintenance tips, check out our refrigerated van maintenance tips article.
We hope our advice has impressed and provided you with new knowledge on gearing your van for the winter. If you have any other questions or queries on the subject, get in touch with our team today!