Long Distance Trips - Van Fitness Checks
Before You Hit The Road
For Everyone
Updated:
Before you set out on a long journey, you need to make sure your van is fit for it. Actually, these are checks you should do every month or two, in general, but especially before a long journey. These checks are quick and simple, but they're also really important, so do make time for them.
Engine Oil
To properly check your oil level, you need to park on level ground and then leave the engine switched off for at least a couple of hours, so that all the oil can settle in the bottom of the engine, which is where the level check is performed.
1. Locate and pull out the dipstick. The first time you pull it out, it will probably show the wrong oil level, as the oil will have been splashed about inside the engine during your last journey. So, wipe the oil off the dipstick with a clean rag, then push it back into the pipe it came out of.
Dipstick
2. After a couple of seconds, remove it again and take a look at the oil level. Near the end of the dipstick, you will see markings that show you the minimum and maximum oil levels. That area that's covered in oil shows you how much oil you have, relative to those limits.
Dipstick level guide
Actual oil level
Too low?
If the oil on the dipstick is near the minimum, or worse, below it, you need to add some engine oil.
See
Change Engine Oil & Oil Filter (scroll down for instructions on topping up your oil).
Too high?
If you're sure you've parked on level ground and left your engine for long enough to get an accurate reading, you may need to drain some oil out.
See
Change Engine Oil & Oil Filter for instructions on removing oil. Drain it slowly, and repeat the first two steps of this guide until the oil level is at, or just below, maximum.
Coolant
See
Change Coolant / Anti Freeze to check your coolant level and top up as necessary.
Brake Fluid
See
Bleed The Brakes / Change Brake Fluid to check and top up your brake fluid. If your clutch shares a fluid reservoir with the brakes, this will also ensure that clutch pedal function remains normal.
Power Steering Fluid
This fluid ensures proper function of the power assisted steering (PAS) system. When the level is too low, steering can become difficult and rough. Keep the power steering fluid level between the markers on the side of the tank.
PAS filler cap
PAS level guide
Screenwash
Don't overlook your screenwash. It might seem less important than the other fluids in the engine bay, but you'll need it when your window gets covered in dust or other contaminants, as it naturally will. The filler cap looks like this:
Screenwash filler cap
Just pour water or screenwash fluid into the bottle until you can see that it's almost full. There's not usually a level guide; minimum is none and maximum is can't fit any more.
Tire Pressure & Tread Depth
See my article,
All About Tires, for info on checking tire pressure and tread depth.