Can I Drive a Van If Shutter Is Broken? – What To Do When Van Shutters Break

Active grille shutters and the roller shutters, play an important role in the way your van operates. The primary function of these shutters is to cover the window when not in use, thereby preventing the transfer of heat and cold, which is crucial for maintaining energy efficiency in varying climates. The roller shutters are rear door-like components of some van models in the UK. The grille shutters are a system that aims at improving the aerodynamics of your vehicle and thus saves quite a lot of fuel. This is particularly important when you are driving a large van with the cargo space occupied with your personal belongings and furniture while moving. Additionally, maintaining both the roller shutters and the door is essential for optimal vehicle performance and accessibility.

Difference between roller shutters and grille shutters

Roller shutters are usually solid, often made of metal or heavy-duty plastic, and offer full coverage, protecting the interior from theft and weather. They roll up vertically into a compact housing, maximizing space. Grille shutters, on the other hand, feature an open lattice design, allowing visibility and ventilation while maintaining a barrier.

How do Roller Shutters Work?

The way a roller shutter system operates is relatively simple. When you are driving slowly, the shutters are kept open so that the engine cools off from the circulation of air from the outside through the shutters. When you pick up speed, the active shutters close so that the aerodynamics of your van are improved. Regular maintenance, including the removal of dust and dirt, is essential to ensure the shutters remain functional and do not become stiff or squeaky.

Can you drive with a grille shutter inoperative?

Theoretically yes, you can drive a van in which the grille shutter is either not working properly or is altogether broken down. It all depends however on the type of damage sustained by the roller shutter’s components.

Some types of damage simply prevent the grille shutters from executing their main purpose – enhancing fuel economy. And of course having your rear roller shutter door damage would endanger the safety of the items transported in the cargo box. If you continue driving your van without getting them fixed, you will only be paying more for fuel, and in the long run – wearing off your engine faster. Additionally, maintaining your doors and ensuring they are in good working order is crucial to prevent further operational issues.

In emergency situations, addressing such issues promptly is essential to minimize downtime and restore functionality quickly.

If the grille shutter has sustained significant damage due to an accident, there might be components hanging out, or even loose glass from the construction. Driving around a loaded vehicle with parts and even glass panels sticking out can be very dangerous. No one can guarantee that the roller shutters won’t become completely broken and fall out at some point, along with the glass components. In that way, you will be endangering not only yourself and your cargo but also anyone else on the road at that precise moment. Like anything else related to vehicle maintenance, it is always better to get parts repaired sooner rather than later, especially considering the potential damage caused by contact with other vehicles.

How much does it cost to repair an active grille shutter?

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Even though the active grille shutter is a relatively new technology, it is implemented in all classes of vans and trucks used on UK roads nowadays. The cost of the repair depends on several factors:

• The make and model of your van
• The type of damage sustained by your broken roller shutters
• Will there be any additional repairs to be made, such as to windows or other components, dirt to be cleaned, etc?
• How fast do you need the repair done
• Will you be using original parts for the make and model of your van, or some cheaper alternative

Since seriously damaged roller shutters may potentially cause your van to break down, it will be significantly cheaper to get the repairs done as soon as possible.

Is it a legal requirement to service roller shutters?

You are under no legal obligation to get roller shutters serviced or repaired regularly. However, maintaining both doors and shutters is crucial to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The system is a part of the cooling and fuel economy of your vehicle and should be kept free of damage for their benefit. Any broken glass sticking out, as well as other components that may become loose and pose a threat to surrounding motorists, may lead to your van not passing the required annual inspections. In such cases, you will be required to get the roller shutters repaired within the time frame described by the law. Otherwise, your van will not be deemed roadworthy.

How to fix the roller shutter stuck?

Sometimes roller shutters don’t break down, but rather get stuck. Because of this, at low speeds, your engine gets more pressure on it, because it can’t cool off from the airflow coming through the shutters. Alternatively, if the roller shutters are stuck in an open position, you cannot benefit from the reduction in fuel consumption the technology provides. Fortunately, you can fix jammed roller shutters even without special tools and electricity available. You might want to try applying some silicone-based lubricant to all parts and components of the grille shutters. Once you do that, all you will need to do is start the engine and get the van going. The shutters should work out if the problem was that they were mechanically stuck. In case that doesn’t solve the issue, you might want to turn to a mechanic who would be able to check them out. It is also important to ensure the shutters cover the window properly to maintain energy efficiency.