Davanti Tyres’ tips for Black Friday van prep
Davanti Tyres has issued advice for van fleet operators ahead of one of the busiest delivery periods of the year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
“This year’s figures reveal that many Brits are holding off purchases until Black Friday which only means one thing for van drivers – an incredibly hectic delivery period,” said Davanti Tyres.
“With £14 billion worth of goods set to be bought, for fleet managers and drivers who are reliant on the smooth running of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to help with timely deliveries, it’s one of the most important times of year to ensure vehicles are ready to hit the road.”
The company has issued three tips to help fleet managers and drivers avoid unnecessary stress.
1. Check tyre pressure, tread depth and for unusual wear and tear
“Ahead of a busy few weeks of driving, we’d recommend checking tyre pressure either using an at-home digital tyre inflator, or alternatively, most petrol stations offer the service for a small fee,” said Davanti Tyres.
“Low tyre pressure negatively affects handling, increases braking distance, and raises the risk of tyre blowouts.
“Tyre tread improves grip, the vehicle’s handling, and safety. As we enter this busy lead up to Christmas when the weather becomes more challenging and road surfaces can become more slippery, drivers need to be able to rely on their tyres to maintain a vehicle’s stability on the road.
“A quick tread depth test to share with customers is the 20p test – a simple and easy way of checking tyre tread. Simply take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, tyre tread is above the legal limit.
“Also, if any other visible perforation – cuts, bumps, bulges – are noted, it’s important to visit a tyre professional to ensure the tyres are safe.”
2. Checking lights – front and back
It is important to ensure fleet managers and drivers have recently checked all vehicle lights are working properly, adds Davanti Tyres.
“When next parked, we recommend drivers turn on their headlights and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned, as well as checking indicator and parking lights.
“Additionally, take the time to check brake lights, too. Drivers are likely to get pulled over by the police if brake lights aren’t functioning correctly and could face a fine. We recommend that whilst parked, they ask someone to stand behind their vehicle while they apply the brakes to check they are working well.”
3. Tyre choice
To add extra peace of mind heading into peak delivery season, the company adds that it may be worth considering the advantages of an all-season LCV tyre built for year-round performance.
“Davanti’s Vantoura 4-Seasons was the brand’s original dedicated on-road, all-season product. The brand spent years developing the ultimate all-season van tyre – from the icy wilds of the Arctic Circle at Test World in Finland to the heat of Davanti’s European Development Centre at Applus IDIADA.
“Offering the best of both summer and winter tyres, it is a versatile, popular and safe choice for LCV users, engineered to offer exceptional levels of all-season performance.”
Key design features of the Vantoura 4-Seasons highlighted by the firm include solid shoulder blocks said to deliver a stable drive and endurance, even under heavy load, whilst also making the tyre rugged and resistant to damage.
“The deep outer grooves enable enhanced water evacuation and mechanical snow traction throughout all points of treadwear,” said Davanti Tyres.
The tyres also feature three deep longitudinal grooves that cut through standing water, which are said to provide the driver with safe and dependable handling on wet surfaces.
“The rapid water evacuation delivered by these grooves makes the tyre highly resistant to aquaplaning.”
Further features include an array of sawtooth sipes that cut through the main block sections and are engineered to actively bite into icy surfaces.
“Working in harmony with the specially formulated all-season compound, this feature is critical in ensuring the tyre provides traction on the most challenging surfaces,” the firm concluded.
