Your van is a versatile workhorse that is designed to make daily life easier. Whether you’re transporting construction materials, clearing garden waste or driving your swim team to the next competition, the added space that a van provides can help to make your everyday journeys more efficient and enjoyable.
Although most vans are built with reliability in mind, as with any vehicle you may find that breakdowns are a rare but inevitable occurrence. With regular maintenance and servicing, you can keep unexpected breakdowns to a minimum. But some technical failings and accidents on busy roads may be unavoidable, in which case it is important to be prepared.
Establishing a reliable breakdown recovery contact can give you peace of mind in case of an emergency, where it is also important to understand what can go wrong with your specific vehicle. Read on to find out more about the various circumstances that could require you to enlist the help of a van recovery specialist, with a look at how you can look after your vehicle to minimise risk.
There are a range of situations in which breakdown recovery services may be required, where some of these include:
Mechanical Faults
One of the leading causes of van breakdowns is mechanical failure, where this can often stop a vehicle from moving or functioning correctly. Common mechanical faults include engine failure, transmission issues, clutch or exhaust problems. Sometimes these can be repaired at the scene by a mechanic, or your vehicle may need to be towed for more extensive care.
Tyre Issues
Tyre problems are another common issue that can occur with vehicles of all kinds. You may have the spare parts and expertise to replace a tyre yourself, but if circumstances don’t allow for this then you may need to seek the support of a roadside repair team. If a tyre is punctured, flat or worn down then it is important to change it as soon as possible to ensure your van remains safe to drive.
Battery Failure
If your van battery is particularly old then you may find that it falters or fails when you’re out on the road, where this will usually be indicated by the battery warning light turning on. A dead battery could prevent your vehicle from starting up, where this can occur if it’s been left to stand in cold weather or if you’ve left the lights on overnight.
Weather
Often van breakdowns and accidents are caused by adverse weather conditions. For instance, vehicles can become stuck in mud, sand or snow, especially if you’re driving off road. Beyond this, driving through standing flood water can cause damage to your engine and your vehicle’s electrical system, where recovery services can help to rescue your vehicle and facilitate repairs.
Accidents & Collisions
Whilst some van issues are caused by spontaneous malfunctions, other problems may result from direct collisions and other accidents on the road. Even a minor collision could cause damage to your vehicle, where you may need to steer into a safe location and await the assistance of recovery services.
Misplaced Keys
Another commonplace issue that can arise as a van owner is if you misplace or lose your keys. You may have lost your spare set for instance, or locked a set in your van, where this can render your vehicle inaccessible. In this situation, a van recovery service can be contacted in order to help you to get into your vehicle and obtain a replacement set of keys.
Fuel Errors
Making an error with your fuel management is easy to do, especially if you’re in a hurry. You may find that you’ve inadvertently filled your tank with the wrong kind of fuel, or that you’re running out of fuel in the middle of a long journey. In these instances, contacting your vehicle recovery service can allow you to stay safe and get back out on the road quickly.
Electrical Problems
In addition to experiencing mechanical faults, you may also find that electrical problems can arise with your vehicle. These may include blowing a fuse or experiencing the effects of faulty wiring, where these issues can prevent your van from running properly. A professional mechanic will be able to identify the source of the problem and carry out repairs where necessary.
How To Prevent Van Breakdowns
Of course it is impossible to prevent all malfunctions with your vehicle, but there are some preventative steps you can take in order to ensure that your van is in the best possible condition before you begin your journey.
Some essential steps and checks to complete before setting out include:
Visual Inspections - Before entering your vehicle you should give the exterior an overhaul in order to spot potential body damage, lose mirrors, cracked windows or other pertinent issues.
Fluid Levels - You should try to check your van’s fluid levels before you set off, where this includes the engine oil, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid levels. Top up any fluids that are running low and look out for signs of leaks.
Tyres - Endeavour to check your van’s tyres before setting out on a long journey. This should include checking the tyre pressure, inspecting for signs of wear, and ensuring that you have a high quality spare tyre stored in your vehicle.
Brakes - The brakes are an essential part of any vehicle, where you should pay attention to unusual noises and warning lights that could indicate a braking issue. You should also ensure that your brake pads aren’t worn out before you drive.
Cargo - With a large vehicle or van it is important to check that your cargo is properly secured. Never exceed the vehicle’s weight limit, and try to ensure that your load won’t move around during your journey.
Documentation - In addition to giving your van a thorough overhaul, you should also check that all your paperwork is in order. This includes insurance documents, registration numbers and proof of licence, where it is also recommended to keep the phone number of your breakdown recovery service to hand.
Steps To Take In The Event Of A Breakdown
If you are experiencing a problem with your van, then there are several key steps you should try to take in order to keep yourself and other drivers safe:
Remain calm - try to consider where other drivers and pedestrians are situated in relation to your vehicle.
Pull over if it is safe to do so, trying to make sure that you’re off the road as much as possible.
Turn on your hazard lights immediately, especially if you’re blocking the road.
Exit the car via the left-hand side door, putting on bright clothes or a high visibility jacket if you have these to hand.
If you have a warning triangle in your van, this should be placed 45 metres behind your vehicle, where this is the equivalent of about 60 paces - importantly, you should not do this on the motorway.
In dark conditions or bad weather you should also keep your sidelights on, ensuring that you’re not standing in a manner that blocks other vehicles from seeing these lights.
Once you’re in a safe position, y ou should then call your breakdown or roadside recovery service.
Euroroute Recovery: Speedy Roadside Assistance For Your Van
We provide an unbeatable van recovery service, helping you to feel safer out on the road.
If you’re in need of urgent roadside assistance or van towing, give us a call and our team will come out to meet you straight away. Whether you’re experiencing a van breakdown or you’re dealing with a collision, we can take care of all your repair needs.
We’re proud to uphold an average recovery time of 40 minutes, so you can rest assured that we’ll be with you quickly. We also have depots stationed throughout Scotland, where we work across all areas of the Central Belt.
In addition to our comprehensive van services, we also offer standard car recovery and support, helping you to get on your way as soon as possible. Simply get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can assist you.
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