8 things which you can do to maintain the quality of your van.
From the moment the keys are handed over, you're a proud owner of a Mercedes-Benz van! And our Service employees remain available to help you, but there are also a few things you can do for yourself to ensure your van stays in good shape. Our expert Wolfgang Müller knows what you need to do.
1. Wash your van regularly.
Winter and summer have their own specific types of dirt. Depending on the season, grit salt, pollen or bird droppings can get onto the paintwork. And that's why it's especially important to give your van a regular wash the whole year through. Cleaning the underbody after the winter will remove the last of any salt residues present.
2. Select the right type of car wash.
Opt for a car wash which offers a manual pre-wash. Larger dirt particles can otherwise get stuck on the cleaning rollers, which may then cause scratches to your own vehicle. In the car wash, you want to make sure that they only use textile rollers. The pre-wash should be at least 30 to 60 seconds long and should go around the entire vehicle.
3. In the case of repairs, make sure you get them sorted rapidly and by professionals.
A well-maintained van will have a longer service life and will make the roads a safer place. Have your van checked by our certified workshops as soon as you notice any anomalies or unusual noises when using it. If you discover any deep scratches, or if you can see the metalwork underneath, you need to get these fixed as soon as possible.
4. Check the oil level regularly.
You should check the oil level at least once a month. When you do this, the engine should already be at operating temperature. Switch off the vehicle on a level surface. Wait around 2 minutes. Always use a lint-free cloth and pull out the dipstick ready to read off the level. On our new van models, you can read off the oil level conveniently on the digital display in the cockpit. Regular oil changes are essential in order to prevent long-term damage to the engine. Observe the service intervals of your van!
5. Look after the interior.
The best thing to do is develop a quick care routine. The first steps are clearing out any rubbish, knocking any large dirt out of the floor mats and hoovering. Don't forget the side pockets and air vents! To remove dirt and bad odours from the seats, use special cleaning products for textile surfaces and upholstery. Controls, mirrors, windows and sun visors should also be wiped down regularly to ensure even greater hygiene, better vision and a feeling of well-being.
6. Avoid overloading the vehicle.
Overloading the vehicle can, in the worst case scenario, lead to a loss of driving safety, as well as to higher wear or damage to the tyres, suspension and axles. Don't just take into consideration your actual load, but also the weight of what's in the fuel tank, anyone on-board the vehicle and your own work tools.
7. Position your load correctly.
Generally speaking, you should always follow the basic rules for securing loads. Also ensure that heavy objects are correctly positioned between the axles to avoid incorrect axle load distribution. This would otherwise result in greater wear of the tyres and axles, as well as affecting the driving dynamics of the vehicle. In concrete terms, this means a change in the vehicle's centre of gravity, a longer braking distance or the possibility of the drive wheels spinning.
8. Adopt an appropriate driving style.
By avoiding engine speeds which are too high, you will also reduce wear and tear. The engine speed range between 1500 and 3000 rpm can be considered as gentle on the engine. Driving at too low revs is also bad for the engine. Regular short journeys should be avoided, among other things because they don't allow the engine time to reach operating temperature.