How to prepare for Black Friday / Cyber Monday madness

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.

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.

To try and eliminate unnecessary stress for fleet managers and drivers, Davanti Tyres has three tips before Black Friday and Cyber Monday madness takes over.

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. 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. 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, it may be worth talking about the advantages of an all-season LCV tyre built for year-round performance.