12. Maintenance and Care
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The following applies for heating
• Both the air intake as well as the exhaust gas openings of
the heating system must be kept free of snow and ice.
• It takes longer to heat up the vehicle in winter, especially to
heat hot water.
• Do not let the interior cool down completely when you are
away or at night; set the heating to low and leave it on.
Continue to heat the vehicle while you are sleeping!
• The van uses considerably more gas in winter than in sum
-
mer. Two 11 kg bottles of gas will be used up in just under
one week.
• Therefore, should you stay longer in one place, it is wor
-
thwhile to set up an outer tent. It will help to acclimatise the
van and keep the dirt out.
The following applies for tanks and containers
• If the interior is sufficiently heated, the fresh water tank,
water pipes and boiler should not freeze. Fill all of the wa-
ter containers only after the interior has been thoroughly
heated.
• When the heating is on, the waste water tank is heated. In
severe frost, also add an anti-freezing compound or table
salt to the waste water. If the vehicle is not being used, the
waste water tank must be emptied completely.
• The toilet can be used normally, even in cold weather, as
long as the interior of the van is heated. The excrement
tank should be emptied if there is danger of frost.
At the end of the winter season
The following applies for the care of the vehicle
• Thoroughly wash the underbody and the motor. This removes
corrosive thawing agents (salts, alkali).
• Clean the exterior and use normal car wax to preserve metal
parts.
• Do not forget to remove flue extensions, cover panels on
refrigerators, etc.