Believe it or not, we’re just days away from the end of winter and the beginning of another glorious spring. And what’s the best way to celebrate the start of a new season? A well-deserved road trip. But before you set out on your next great American adventure and enjoy all the freedom of the open road, you’ll want to take a few steps to ensure that your wheelchair-accessible van is in tip-top shape and ready for the ride.
If you’re coming due for end-of-winter or start-of-spring maintenance over the next few weeks, these services are among the most important to catch up on. By taking care of these and other key tasks with the help our our nationwide service partners, you can look forward to a successful spring break and plenty of great memories to be made.
Oil, Filter, and Fluids
Fresh oil and a clean filter are essential for keeping your wheelchair-accessible van running strong. Manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter at regularly scheduled intervals depending on the model, its age, its mileage, and other factors. Your best bet to keep your van healthy for as long as possible is to stick closely to this schedule. Prolonging and skipping this service means your engine is left running on dirty oil, which allows for the buildup of deposits that can interfere with engine performance. Left unchecked long enough, these deposits can cause the breakdown and failure of vital engine components.
Oil is one of the most essential substances your wheelchair van needs to perform to its potential, but it’s far from the only one. During your end-of-winter/start-of-spring service visit, your technician can check the levels of your brake, transmission, power steering, and windshield wiper fluid. If you’re in need, they’ll top you up. And if it aligns with manufacturer recommendations, they can perform a flush, which helps keep your systems clean and prevents larger issues.
Battery
The cold weather of winter puts extra strain on your vehicle’s battery system. Wheelchair-accessible vans require greater use of the battery due to conversion options like our Rollx Vans 6-way power seat, power folding ramps, and our electronic kneeling system. Because of this, the end of winter/beginning of spring is a great time to get your battery inspected to ensure it’s up to the task for the season ahead.
Generally speaking, your vehicle’s battery should last between 3-5 years. Going much longer without replacing it leaves you at a greater risk of being stranded or left without the use of an essential vehicle system. A battery inspection can quickly and accurately assess whether your wheelchair-accessible van has the power it needs to serve you. And if it doesn’t, a certified technician can perform a replacement in a matter of minutes.
Tires and Brakes
One thing to keep in mind before you hit the road for your spring break road trip: Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes into contact with the ground. This is why regular tire care and maintenance are critical for safe driving. About as often as you have your oil and filter replaced, you’ll want to have your van’s tires rotated. This helps ensure even wear across all four tires, prolonging their lives so that you get the most use possible.
If your tires lack sufficient tread, you won’t be able to come to a safe stop as quickly as you need to. And you’ll have even more trouble if your brake system needs maintenance or repair. Signs like squealing, screeching, vibration, and soft pedal response all indicate a need to have your brakes checked out and possibly worked on or replaced. If you notice signs of unhealthy tires or brakes, don’t delay setting up a service appointment.
The Perks of Rollx Nationwide Service
Are you gearing up for a spring road trip or looking to shake off the last icicles from winter? Rollx Vans is here to help — no matter where you are in America or where you’re heading. We’re proud to offer one of the most comprehensive nationwide service programs of any aftermarket vehicle converter, including our exclusive at-home service offering. If your new Rollx Van needs service, we can send a trained technician to your home so the work can be done from the comfort of your driveway.
And if you need service or repairs away from home, we’ve got that covered, too. We work with more than 360 service partners, and we even have locations in Canada and Puerto Rico. So if you run into trouble on your next adventure and find yourself far from home, you’re never far from help.
That helping hand includes our 24/7 Rollx Vans Mobility Roadside Assistance™, offered in partnership with Mobility Support Solutions™. When the unexpected happens, you can get in touch with one of our more than 35,000 tow providers across the United States for everything from paratransit and wheelchair assistance to towing and lockouts. We’ll bring you gas, fix your flat, and give you the jumpstart you need to get your road trip back on trap so you can enjoy your spring road trip to the fullest.
Nationwide service and 24/7 roadside assistance are just two of the many, many reasons to turn to Rollx Vans for your wheelchair van needs. We offer a huge selection of new, newly converted, and high-quality pre-owned vehicles; stress-free financing options that work for your budget; and nationwide home delivery so you can work with the best in the business no matter where you are in America.
Whatever we can do to help set you up for a spring to remember, Rollx Vans is here for you. Just reach out to our team by calling 800-956-6668, sending a text to 952-522-8330, or emailing questions@rollxvans.com.