A Van in Winter: Tyres, Battery and Diesel

A van in winter: tyres and battery

Winter tests a van in exactly the places nobody worries about in summer. A higher weight, a longer braking distance and a diesel engine that is harder to get going in the cold — it all comes together on the same day. If you know what to expect, you'll sort it out in advance rather than in a snowy car park.

Winter tyres work differently

The winter compound stays flexible even in freezing temperatures, while a summer compound hardens below a few degrees above zero. The difference isn't only noticeable on snow, but also on cold, dry asphalt, where a summer tyre brakes noticeably worse. On top of that, there are sipes in the tread that bite into the layer of snow. Driving is governed by the rules of the road, so in the winter period take winter tyres as a matter of course.

The tread decides whether you'll get anywhere

A winter tyre with a low tread stops working before it's completely worn down. The grooves need somewhere to channel slush, and the sipes must be deep enough to bite. In practice, below four millimetres the behaviour on snow deteriorates quickly. When you pick up the vehicle, take a look at the tread — you're standing next to it for a while anyway for the photo documentation.

Tyre pressure drops with temperature

In freezing weather the pressure in a tyre is slightly lower than with the same fill in summer. An under-inflated tyre holds its line less well, and on a loaded van this shows sooner. Check the pressure with the tyres cold and follow the table for the loaded state if you're carrying a load.

The battery is the weakest link in winter

In freezing weather a battery has less capacity, and at the same time a diesel engine demands more from it. The starter motor turns a stiffer engine, and the glow plugs also preheat before starting. A vehicle that has stood in the cold for several days is therefore harder to get going than after daily use. So before starting, switch off the heating, the heated windows and the radio, so that all the energy goes to the starter motor.

An empty van has a light rear in winter

Rear-wheel-drive commercial vehicles pull away on snow less well when empty than when loaded. There's nothing over the driven axle, the wheels don't have the necessary downforce and they spin. You notice this mainly when pulling away uphill and when leaving a parking space. Pull away carefully and apply the accelerator a little at a time. You'll find an overview of our vehicles in our fleet.

Diesel in freezing weather and starting a cold engine

Why diesel thickens in the cold

Diesel contains paraffins that start to separate out at low temperatures and clog the fuel filter. The engine then starts, but after a while it loses power or cuts out. It's not a fault in the vehicle; it's a property of the fuel. That's exactly why petrol stations sell diesel adapted for low temperatures in the cold part of the year.

Fill up with winter diesel

In winter, fill up at high-turnover petrol stations. The fuel there is replaced quickly, so you can be sure it's the current winter blend and not summer leftovers from the autumn. You take over the vehicle with a full tank and return it with a full tank, so you only need to keep this rule in mind for one refuel at the end of the rental.

Starting in freezing weather step by step

Turn the key to the ignition position and wait until the glow plug light goes out. Only then start the engine. Press the clutch down; this reduces the load on the starter motor. If the engine doesn't fire within a few seconds, stop cranking and try again after a moment — continuous cranking will drain the battery. Don't press the accelerator; modern diesel engines don't need it.

Frozen doors and locks

A van's sliding side doors freeze up more often than a car's doors. The guide rail is exposed and collects water that freezes overnight. Don't pull the handle with all your strength — you'll damage the seal and the mechanism; it's better to free the door gradually and carefully. It also helps to close them clean and dry before a frosty night.

Drive gently for the first few minutes

Let the engine warm up by driving, not by idling. A few hundred metres at lower revs warms the engine up faster and more gently than minutes of standing. Avoid full load until the temperature rises into the operating range. A cold diesel engine also has significantly higher fuel consumption.

Before you set off

Snow is harder to clear from a van's roof than from a car's, and it can fly off just as easily. Allow for this and take a longer scraper. Clean both door mirrors and the rear lights too; on vans they tend to be low down and quickly get covered in salt. Check the screenwash level with winter fluid. You'll find answers to organisational questions about picking up the vehicle in the FAQ section, while longer rentals for businesses are covered in the PROFI programme.