Need some tips on driving a van in the snow/ice?

Mr.Answers

I have been driving Vans most of my life of driving! I guess I like them better then trucks! I have 4 Vans now, a Ford windstar! A Gmc 3/4 conversion Van, which is called truck because of the 3/4 ton! and a plymouth voyager mini van and a Gmc Safari! mid size conversion van! The only car I own is a 78 Fiat convertible, Lite powder blue, with a black top! No rust on that baby! almost mint condition with 78,000 miles on it! and hasn't seen a winter since 1984!

Through the years I have found loading them up with tool boxes for weight during the winter really helps, but when driving a van in the winter the most important things to do is to drive slower then you would in the summer time! In the winter driving 10 miles an hour slower doesn't mean your stupid, it means you really care not ending up in a ditch or a bad accident! Using common since in the winter will get you through it safely and in one piece!

So I load my vans up with a lot of weight, and I make sure I have really good tires. I always buy goodyear's deep tread tires, truck ones if they can get them on! Having very good tires deep treaded tires make a huge difference on how well they stick to the road!

But with vans, winds can make driving a van a pure night mare if you let it! But once you find the best way to drive in the winter to have more control, it's pretty well smooth sailing then! But you do need weight loaded in them in the winter snowy months to keep control over them! Always slow up way before you going to a turn or turn off's helps to avoid side sliding! I drive totally opposite from the way I drive in the summer! so I must be doing something right when driving vans in the winter months! It's been 30 years now! and never put one in a ditch or had an accident!

I know today many people drive like turbo freaks in the winter! But you have to remember! There the ones you get to see in the ditches and accidents! With a van you have to be alot more of a careful driver because they can get out of control quite fast! Even my wife drives vans, she even likes them over cars! So yeah good deep tread tires,slower driving and weight in the van for the winter! and you should be having a better driving time with a van!

choteau

I drive a van in Montana and have driven one all through out the mountain west. What I do is get two bags 50lbs or larger of either sand or salt and put them between the rear wheels on the floor. Then if you do get stuck you have traction material as well as the added stability for most of the driving.

PS Don't drive the van if the wind is over 35mph. A bad gust can blow it over. I haven't had that happen to me but I have seen and talked to drivers that it has.

Jonny

try putting extra weight in the back like sand bags to add traction i do it for my front wheel drive car it helps and drive in other peoles track, usualy you can tell if its slippery so drive slow and be precasious!

booya

If you are concerned, just go out and buy a few bags of salt(I use 4) and put them in the back of your van. That should be enough weight to help out on slippery roads. They are really cheap (under 10 bucks a bag) and if you actually get stuck in the snow, you can just open a bag and sprinkle it around your tires. Drive safe!!

jane f

I had a giant van and it slipped around so much I couldn't believe it! It's bcs most of the weight is in the front of the vehicle. Get some sand bags for the back. They can be helpful to have in snowy conditions anyhow! Good Luck.

bungee

use common sense, slow and easy does it, look as far ahead as possible. when in doubt stay home

runion25

i have drivin' tractor trailors in ALL types of weather and the most important thing is to know when not too go.....other than that be safe as possible,slow down,look out ahead and watch those curves

mgaribay74

On ice or snow
Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so always slow down and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
Keep windows clear.
Keep your speed steady and slow -- but not so slow that your car gets stuck in deeper snow.
Use your brakes cautiously. Abrupt braking can cause brake lock-up and cause you to lose steering control.
To make Antilock Brakes work correctly, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal. During an emergency stop, push the brake pedal all the way to the floor, if necessary, even in wet or icy conditions.
If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires. Use sand or cinders under the drive wheels.

jade222_44

Biggest rule for everyone driving in snow & ice...

Slow down.

We just had a storm here today, and people speed past, and a mile down the road they're in the ditch.

Eric K

Go slow & don't lose traction. Watch the wind gusts

Huba

Get some cable chains and have then ready. Go slow but steady; sometimes using low gear. If it has traction control you will want to read the manual and follow their directions. Don't speed. Add some weight in the middle to add traction. Keep a full tank as often as possible. Consider mud and snow tires, even studded ones.

nonstp

I can teach it like they taught us in the military to drive any type of vehicle in any type of weather in any situation.
But to type it up, it's tough. It's more of a feeling for sliding, and going out and testing your stopping distance in a parking lot, also flooring it (the gas pedal to the floor) and back off until you find a sweet spot where your van doesn't peel out when taking off from a dead spot. Then go and try to turn in this parking lot and see how fast you can go without sliding. This should be done with every new vehicle you drive, go test it's limit in all type of weather!
Also get out of the vehicle walk around it 6 times each way looking at the steering wheel, this will get you used to how much distance you have for maneuvering in and out of traffic and stationary objects. I know you can't see the steering wheel from the back in a van, that's the first clue for finding your blind spots!

JCS

Tip!

Dont...

momwithabat

Best advice I can offer you is to park the van when there is ice or snow.

The bigger the van the greater the chance that the weight of the vehicle will cause it to slide. Once they start to slide, the weight of the vehicle just keeps it going.

chains-snow grips-weight these are top heavy not bottom heavy.

blonde g

don;t do it unless it's an emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!

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