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6 Tips For Better VW Van Operation In Manchester

Fuel economy, efficient usage and regular maintenance are key factors that influence the cost of running your VW commercial van. Although it takes a little planning and a systematic approach, ensuring economic operation is not difficult to achieve.

1: Plan Your Trips

Every mile that your van travels adds to your costs. Plan your trips wisely to reduce mileage and save time. You can also consider combining trips without affecting service quality. Pay attention to road and traffic conditions while routing. Sometimes, travelling a few more miles to avoid a congested route or a poor road saves time and fuel.

2: Ensure That Your Van Is Loaded Correctly

For better stability, safety and handling, your van must be loaded with care. Heavy cargo should be kept lower and towards the centre of the van. This keeps the centre of gravity low, which keeps the van balanced and stable.

Items that are incorrectly loaded or secured can topple over or get thrown about during transit. Loose items can get damaged or it can damage other items. Tying down unstable items prevent them from getting thrown about or knocking into other items. Once loading is complete, double-check to ensure that the cargo door is locked.

3: Highlight The Importance Of Safe Driving

No driver, irrespective of expertise, is in control during an accident. Besides the obvious issues of downtime and repair costs, poor driving practices, endanger the life of all road users.

Unlike cars, the total weight of a van depends on its cargo. Changes in weight result in variations in stopping distances. In wet or icy conditions, even small variations in cargo can translate into huge variations in stopping distances.

Drivers should adjust their braking distances according to the load and road conditions. Encourage drivers to slow down while approaching junctions and roundabouts. This gives them more time to stop if someone jumps in front of them.

Driving a car and a van are very different. If drivers are transitioning from cars to vans, ensure that they are familiar with the requirements of van driving.

Vans and cars have different control placements and dashboard layouts, which takes time to get used to. Some vans have a sixth gear for fuel efficiency. Not using it will increase your costs by burning more fuel.

A van is usually taller than a car. This means you need more overhead clearance. The roof of some bridges and underground parking facilities may be too low to enter. Vans take more time to turn and are also more difficult to park than cars.

Speed limits are different for cars and vans on some roads. A van does not have a centre mirror or a rear window. The driver has to rely on what is visible through the side mirrors and windows.

4: A Steady Speed Saves More Fuel

A heavy van takes time to accelerate and slow down. If drivers have to frequently brake and accelerate, they are probably going too fast for the road conditions. For driving comfort and fuel efficiency, encourage drivers to go at a comfortable steady pace.

For van stability and to prevent throwing the cargo about while negotiating a curve, drivers should go slowly and stay to the outside of the bend as much as possible.

5: Encourage Regular Checks

Periodic service is essential, but for a heavy-duty vehicle, it is also important to do some regular checks. The safety risks due to poor maintenance are amplified in commercial vehicles due to their heavy-duty usage patterns.

Encourage drivers to perform daily and weekly checks so that problems can be spotted before they result in breakdowns or accidents. Things like body condition and paint damage can be checked daily. Tyre condition, tyre pressures and functioning of lights should be checked at least once in a week. Oil and other fluid levels should be checked at least every two weeks.

6: Don’t Delay Periodic Service

Periodic service is the backbone of good van maintenance. Ensure that your Volkswagen van is serviced at a specialist van centre like Volksmaster according to the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Regular service ensures good performance, fuel efficiency and safety. It also reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns and disruptions.

Get the most out of your van. For a Volkswagen van service in Manchester, call our Van Centre in Oldham. Whether you have one commercial van or an entire fleet, you can depend on us. We are Volkswagen specialists offering dealer-equivalent or better service at lower prices.

Arranging Your Service

Drop your car off
Simply drop your car off with us between 8am and 10am and in most cases your vehicle will be ready for collection the same day between 3.30 and 5.30. Outside these hours you are welcome to park.

Wait with your car
Most servicing and repair work can be done while you wait. If this is your preference we have a superb waiting area equipped with free hot and cold drinks and a interesting viewing area where you can watch our trained technicians working on your vehicle.

Courtesy car
If your vehicle needs to stay with us for 1 day or longer then you are able to pre-book one of our courtesy vehicles to keep you mobile.

Pick up / drop off
The ultimate hassle free solution; one of our drivers will arrange to collect your vehicle from your home or place of work at a pre-arranged time and then return your vehicle when the work is complete. Our service advisors will contact you when the vehicle arrives on site during the day to discuss the progress of the work and then advise you of the time you can expect your vehicle back. Contact our service advisors for more details.

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6 Tips For Better VW Van Operation In Manchester

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