How To Get the Most Out of Your Wheelchair Van

If you have been considering the option of purchasing a wheelchair van but aren’t sure how to approach this topic to find the model that best suits your needs, this guide is for you. Here are a few examples of how to get the most out of your wheelchair van.

Drive It on a Regular Basis

Regardless of the vehicle you own, you should be in the habit of driving it regularly. This ensures the vehicle will continue to perform as intended and decreases the likelihood that it will fail after long periods of sitting idle. When automobiles sit for long periods of time, they can suffer a few consequences.

For one thing, debris can build up inside the engine, which can lead to issues with certain components if the debris gets inside working parts. This debris can cause those parts to slow down or malfunction completely. You will also notice that the fluids, lubricants, and oils will stop flowing properly if you do not drive your vehicle regularly; instead, they will thicken and congest the tubing.

The interior electrical features of your mobility van will also remain in check when you use the vehicle daily. Driving your mobility van on a regular basis will give you a first-hand perspective of everything, so you’ll know that things are in working order. If anything begins to malfunction, you will know immediately, making it easier to fix the problem quickly rather than letting it get worse or cause more problems later on.

Remember Your Maintenance

Because mobility vehicles have so many features, you will need to schedule routine checkups with a dealership or service technician to ensure everything is working properly. Maintenance may be a regular requirement for certain components, such as the vehicle’s hydraulic lifts and wheelchair seat base, to ensure they are both legal and safe to continue driving.

These vehicles do a lot of heavy lifting, and due to this, they require more frequent maintenance. Luckily, there are a few easy maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as tightening bolts and screws to keep everything from rattling loose and falling apart.

This is called preventative maintenance, which is equally as important as regularly scheduled service calls. No one can know your vehicle better than you do, so you will likely spot any problems long before a technician or mechanic, which will make it easier for them to provide a proper diagnosis of the problem during your next maintenance visit.

Find a Service Facility You Trust

Servicing your vehicle is of the utmost importance with any automobile you drive. However, you have to adhere to a new set of standards when driving mobility vehicles. These vehicles require more checks and adjustments due to all the equipment they carry, so routine maintenance is not as simple as just going in for an oil change.

There may be parts that need regular servicing as part of standard procedure. It’s good to find a technician that you trust to service your vehicle. When you build a relationship with your service technician and regularly bring in your vehicle for routine check-ups and servicing, you make it easier for them to diagnose issues clearly and quickly because they get to know your vehicle so well.

Having one primary technician who works on your vehicle is also a good idea because they will give you a fair price for remaining a loyal customer. More importantly, they will know your vehicle so intimately that they won’t try to do any unnecessary work without your approval.

Learn All Your Safety Features

As you adjust to your new mobile accessibility van, it’s extremely important that you take some time to understand how all the features work. Understanding how these features are supposed to operate gives you the advantage of knowing when it’s time to take your vehicle in for an inspection due to an impending malfunction. Over time, some of these features will need fine-tuning and adjustments, which can be completed when the vehicle is being serviced and maintained.

Add Extra Features as Necessary

As you make your daily commute, you may notice that there are additional handicap vehicle accessories that you have that your van needs but does not currently possess. Or, if your vehicle does have these features installed, you may notice that they need an upgrade. Regardless of the scenario, you can always talk to your service technicians and have them look into things to see what they can improve or fix. This way, you will get the fairest assessment and the best prices on everything you need.

Insure Your Van With Premium Coverage

With all the work that goes into maintaining a vehicle like this, you will want the best insurance policy you can get. Make sure you’re shopping around to find the best deals and the coverage that best fits your vehicle. This means finding a policy that will take care of your needs for additional parts and repairs that impact the functionality of your vehicle. Full coverage insurance should be the aim for a vehicle that is this technical.

Once you have narrowed down the type of insurance you need, you need to decide which insurance company you will do business with. There are a handful of trademark names that are trusted worldwide, but make sure to compare each company’s insurance packages before making any firm decisions.

Know When To Trade In Your Van

If you have owned your van for some time, you will eventually need to assess whether it’s better to hold on to it or trade it in for a newer model. There are many factors that will determine the best course of action for your scenario. The most important thing to consider is how well the vehicle runs. Many people get hung up on a vehicle’s mileage, and while this is an important factor to consider, it shouldn’t be your biggest priority. First, look at the vehicle through the lens of performance, then assess its mileage and remaining value before you make the decision to sell.

It’s important to look into the vehicle you drive regularly, especially if your vehicle is as specific as a mobility van that requires frequent servicing. Going through the steps provided will teach you how to get the most out of your wheelchair van without encountering any huge issues. If you follow the proper protocols and procedures, you’ll always have a functioning vehicle that you can rely on.