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Spring Cleaning: 3 Steps You Can Take to Maintain Your Accessible Van

Rear Entry White Buick Enclave Wheelchair Vehicle

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to finally do all the stuff we’ve been putting off for months because it was cold outside. As your DIY projects and deep cleanings commence because of the warmer weather on the way, don’t neglect your wheelchair accessible vehicle

Just as your garage probably needs to be cleaned and decluttered, so too does your vehicle. Not only will you feel better about driving and riding in a freshly detailed car, it’s also important to clean your vehicle as part of a regular maintenance schedule. Here’s some steps you can take to get your wheelchair van back into tip-top shape for the spring and summer seasons.

Keep It Clean!

One of the most important parts of maintaining any vehicle is simply keeping it clean inside and out. Aside from providing peace of mind, keeping your car clean can ensure that dirt, grime and other foreign substances don’t get trapped in any of the vital components and damage them. 

Cleaning your vehicle is a great way to make some other maintenance tasks easier, which makes it a good place to start. Here’s some steps you can take to get you on your way. 

  • Take out the trash – It’s time to relocate all those empty fast food bags, plastic wrappers, receipts and other assorted junk out of your car. Grab a bag or a bin and start pitching everything that’s settled on your floor or under your seats. Make sure to grab a jar for any loose change you find!
  • Get a vacuum – Once you’ve got the bigger clutter items out of your car, you’re going to want to really seal the deal by doing a once-over with a vacuum cleaner. Try and look for places where dirt can really build up, like cracks in between the seats or floor mats. If you don’t have a vacuum with a hose attachment at home, you can find one at a carwash or some gas stations.
  • Wash it up – Once you’re done with the inside, clean the outside! This is especially important for anyone that lives in an area with lots of snow and ice in the winter, as the salt used on the roads can lead to rust issues if no care is taken. 

Following these steps should get your vehicle clean and tidy for the warm weather. It’s also a good way to start inspecting your car for any other maintenance issues. 

A Freedom Motors Service Technician working the in the service department

General Vehicle Maintenance

After your car is clean, you should run some checks to make sure all the important components are in working order. This is especially important if you haven’t driven the vehicle for a long time, as these issues can sneak up on you without regular maintenance checks. 

  • Check your tire pressure – Cold weather can actually make your tire rims contract slightly, which can lead to low tire pressure. Most tires have their recommended pressure on the side of the tire, making it easy to check if your tires are in need of a little air. It wouldn’t hurt to check your tire treads as well, and replace them if they are starting to look smooth. 
  • Check those windshield wiper blades –  Ice and snow can be particularly hard on windshield wipers, and you’ll want to make sure they’re in working order for the upcoming spring rain showers. Replacing wiper blades is easy and inexpensive, so there’s no reason to put it off. Don’t forget to check your wiper fluid levels as well!
  • It’s probably time for an oil change – Getting regular oil changes is one of the most important parts of maintaining any vehicle, so don’t wait. Even if you haven’t driven your vehicle in a long time, it’s still important to change your oil at regular intervals. 
  • Take it for a test drive – Once you’ve done some maintenance checks, it can’t hurt to take your van for a trip around the block before you make any big trips. This can help you find any issues that you might otherwise miss, such as a dead battery or worn-out brake pads.
  • Check your battery regularly – A weak or dead battery can cause issues when trying to start your vehicle, or when trying to operate an automatic ramp. Although automatic ramps can still be manually operated by hand when needed, it’s best to take preventative measures to maintain a healthy battery. Many auto shops will check your battery for free, and you can do it yourself if you have the tools and the know-how.

Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent any major mechanical issues with any vehicle. Taking good care of your wheelchair accessible vehicle is the best way to ensure that it can keep up with your lifestyle and take you where you need to go.

A Freedom Motors Service Technician working the in the service department

Taking Care of Your Wheelchair Vehicle Conversion

Of course, wheelchair vehicle conversions require a little more upkeep than your average vehicle because they have extra components installed to make the conversion work. Thankfully, there are a few simple checks you can easily do right from home.

  • Operate the ramp – Check the ramp to see if it is functioning properly. Make sure to check the spring-assisted manual or automatic hydraulic systems are working to open and close the ramp correctly. 
  • Clean the tie downs and securements – Dirt trapped in the securements can make it hard or impossible to secure a wheelchair. To ensure the safety of any wheelchair passengers, it is important to make sure the securements are working properly.
  • Do regular checkups – The best way to keep your conversion in working order is to just keep an eye on it as you continue to use it. By keeping a log of any maintenance issues or check-ups that are done, you can squash most concerns before they become a serious problem.

Following these steps, you can maintain your vehicle right from home. 

A Freedom Motors Service Technician working the in the service department

Freedom Motors USA Technicians Are Ready to Help

Preventative measures and regular maintenance are the best way to care for your conversion. In the case that your conversion needs more serious repairs, the Freedom Motors USA Service Department is ready to service your vehicle or recommend a local service dealer to help. Should your vehicle need it, simply contact our service department to see how they can help.

Freedom Motors USA | Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Contact Our Service Department

Why buy your wheelchair accessible vehicle from Freedom Motors USA? It’s simple. Freedom Motors is family-owned and has been creating accessible vehicle conversions since 1987, making us one of the first companies in the industry. We have experience getting our customers what they need.

  • Don’t know where to start? Our team of Mobility Specialists will work with you to help find the vehicle that best suits your needs.
  • Shop from Home – Freedom Motors will come to you anywhere in the country to provide a demonstration of any of our wheelchair conversions.
  • Exclusive Stock – Shop our expansive list of Wheelchair Accessible SUVs that you won’t find anywhere else in the mobility industry, including the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Sorento, Kia Soul, Kia Telluride and Honda HR-V.
  • Premium Features – Freedom Motors conversions offer top-of-the-line features, like the automatic rear-entry ramp or our full and half-cut options that allow for more passenger seating options.
  • Superwide Ramps – Freedom Motors offers some of the widest ramps in the industry that you won’t find anywhere else, including the Superwide 40” Dodge Grand Caravan and the Superwide 48” Toyota Sienna.
  • Dedicated to Keeping You Moving – Contact us today and we’ll work with you to find the right vehicle for you.