Winter brings tough driving conditions and weather that can test all the vital components on your wheelchair van. Preparing your wheelchair van for winter will not prevent winter from coming but it will help you and your wheelchair van for the toughest season of the year. Below we will provide 5 tips on how you can best prepare to tackle this winter. It should go without saying, keep blankets, phone charger, water and some protein bars in your vehicle as winter approaches so you are equipped if you slide off the road and need to wait a few hours for a tow truck to arrive.
People love warranties, they help keep cost down to zero out of pocket or a small deductible compared to full retail for common repairs. Having a roadside assistance membership when owning a wheelchair van is very similar. Winter driving can test your vehicle's tires, battery, wheelchair van conversion components and driving skills. If you are purchasing a New or Used Wheelchair van, ask your dealer at BLVD.com if they offer a Roadside Assistance membership with your purchase. Below are a few things you might experience this winter and having a roadside assistance membership typically includes these situations that can save you hundreds of dollars and will give you a number stored in your phone ready to go should they happen to you!
Like many things, Batteries are not built like they used to be. Having your dealer check the connections and test the battery once a year is important. Replacing a vehicle starting battery prior to its failing is recommended as it will prevent you from being in the stranded moment with a dead battery. Vehicles that sit outside in the extreme cold are more likely to freeze solid as battery manufacturers are using less acid and more water to be environmentally friendly. Frozen wheelchair van batteries are not going to start, putting a maintainer or starting your vehicle once a day when the Alberta Clipper rolls in for a week will help keep your battery at top charge and reduce the risk of it freezing.
Scheduling a service with your local dealer prior to winter is worth the investment. First it will help prepare door rollers, ramp motors, ramp hinges, kneeling chains and other components of your wheelchair van conversion for winter ahead by cleaning all the road crime off them and applying new lubricate for the salt, snow, ice and extreme cold ahead. Certified techs also have the ability to identify if one of these components are near the end of their service life and can advise on what might need to be replaced prior to it failing and leaving you stranded.
For best traction to control stopping and acceleration winter tires on your wheelchair van will make a night and day difference. If you have never had winter tires and are not sure which size and type is best? Learn more about the 3 types of tires for wheelchair vans and check out this Winter Tires Blog that goes in to detail on these types. Softer compounds and tread designs helps your vehicle grip the road in the most extreme winter conditions for confidence in cornering. Visit Blvd.com dealer locator and locate the nearest certified dealer near you to learn more about pricing and availability.
Even gasoline can change in the bitter cold. Lower octane gas is blended with ethanol and other additives that can increase the amount of moisture in the system causing it to freeze up lines not allowing the flow from the tank to the engine. Fuel levels that are low will increase the risk of this happening as the moisture amount is increased with less gas in the tank. Keeping at least 1/2 of a tank and adding a product such as HEET will remove the moisture and decrease the risk of your vehicle running out of gas or the fuel lines from freezing up. If possible, using 91 octane non ethanol blended gas in your wheelchair van would be the best for winter conditions no matter the extremes. Higher fuel levels will be beneficial in the event you slide off the road and need to wait for help to keep your vehicle running to stay warm.
Do you need help finding service, winter tires, roadside assistance or battery testing for your wheelchair van? BLVD.com has certified dealer across the entire country that are ready to help. Looking to replace your wheelchair van with a New or Used wheelchair van? Search our inventory of over 3,500 wheelchair vans for sale with inventory that changes hourly and ready for immediate delivery.
My professional background stems from non-profit marketing and fundraising for a large children’s cancer hospital. Every day I was able to make connections and relationships for kids and their families going through devastating times. From securing small donations to large corporate support, it was all about providing hope that one day doctors and researchers would find a cure. It was truly an honor to be a part of something so important.
Just this past year, I came to work alongside my family for BLVD.com, a website dedicated to offering the latest information and resources for people needing mobility products. This was a dream come true for me as I have always wanted to combine more time with my family while still helping others. Our family has been in the mobility industry for over 35 years with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for people with mobility issues. This is the spirit behind BLVD and what I am most excited about sharing in my blog.
I love meeting new people and have found that volunteering is the best way to learn more about others and myself. Coffee keeps me going as do walks my pup "Kirby" and most of all being with family and friends. I invite you to check out my blog to learn more about how "together we can move through life better!"
