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A serious mechanical fault can be one of the biggest problems transport industry workers have to deal with. Often, when your van is in for unexpected repairs, you simply can’t work and those lucrative courier loads will just go to other drivers. And, if the problem persists, clients may look for another company for their jobs. For these reasons, it’s crucial that you know the warning signs to look out for in order to catch any issues before they become debilitating. Of course, modern vehicles give a lot of information on their performance, and key indicators like oil levels, fuel consumption and mileage are always important to keep track of. However, the most experienced drivers know that they must pay close attention to their vehicles to read the many other warning signs that may occur. Read on for some of the most vital things to keep an eye on. Leaks Most delivery drivers will be used to checking over their vehicles in between courier loads or at least daily. Indeed, many firms make regular checkups (or the daily walk around) part of their official policy. One key thing to be on the look out for is any leaked or spilled fluid, so when you’ve been parked up for a while, a quick glance underneath can give you a heads up that something may not be quite right. Crucially, any leaks must be investigated further. The thinking behind this is pretty simple: any fluids in your van are in there for a reason, and they shouldn’t be spilling out onto the road. Emissions Next on the list of things that shouldn’t be coming out of your car are unusual smells and smoke. This is harder to check before setting off on a job, so you’ll need to keep an eye out while you’re out on the road delivering your courier loads. Thick, black smoke, for instance, might be a sign of a clogged O2 sensor, and a strong smell of rotten eggs could indicate your catalytic converter needs cleaning. Noises It’s always good advice to be aware of what your vehicle sounds like when you’re driving. While many cars make the occasional odd sound, any grinding, squealing or crunching should at least be looked into. Most seriously, hearing a grinding noise when you brake could be a sign that your brake pads are getting seriously worn down. If this is the case, you should get them replaced as soon as possible. A strange noise could be nothing or it could be something big - either way, it’s crucial you investigate. It’s a Feeling... Perhaps the item on this list most dependent on how well you know your vehicle, this is one that professional drivers are especially well placed to check on. After all, very few people spend as much time on the road as those in the transport industry. Any tightness in steering, pauses or jerks when changing gear, excessive shaking and so on, could be your van trying to tell you that something is going wrong. Check it out – no ifs or buts. It’s crucial that anyone who makes a living out of delivering courier loads listens to their vehicle. It’s actually easier than it might sound and, with experience, if you stay alert you’ll be able to instinctively know when something is amiss. Stay alert to all of these issues above and get them looked over by a professional as and when they arise. Author Plate Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.
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