As the New Year arrives, plenty of people turn to local van hire for the practical jobs that come with it, whether that is returning unwanted gifts, shifting furniture after the festive shuffle or clearing out at the start of a fresh year. Driving a hire van through January, though, calls for extra care, because this is when the roads are at their most treacherous. This guide from the team behind this van hire in Warrington service covers the technique that matters most when driving a larger, heavier van on ice and snow, which behaves quite differently from the car most drivers are used to.
Why New Year Driving Demands Extra Care
January conditions are often more deceptive than the heavy snow of December. The hazard at this time of year is frequently black ice rather than obvious snowfall, particularly on the cold, clear mornings after an overnight freeze when a road that looks merely wet is actually glazed. Melted snow that refreezes overnight turns treated routes slippery again by morning, so the same road can be fine in the afternoon and dangerous at dawn. Preparing for the journey starts before the engine does, with dry, comfortable footwear that grips the pedals properly, since wet or bulky soles slipping off the controls make smooth driving far harder in exactly the conditions where smoothness counts most.
Gentle Acceleration and Pulling Away
Managing acceleration is the first challenge on an icy surface. Sudden or aggressive throttle makes the wheels spin and the van slide, so accelerate gently and keep the revs low. Pulling away in second gear rather than first delivers a smoother power output and reduces the chance of wheel spin, and moving up through the gears as early as the van will allow helps maintain steady grip. The aim throughout is to ask as little of the tyres as possible, because a heavier hire van puts more demand on them than a car does.
Approaching Turns and Bends
Bends are where control is most often lost in winter. Reduce speed gradually and well in advance of a turn rather than braking late or hard, which is what triggers a skid. Slowing to a manageable speed before the bend and then steering smoothly through it keeps the van stable, whereas braking mid-corner on ice unsettles it. Giving yourself plenty of time to read the road ahead is what makes calm, early decisions possible.
Driving Uphill and Downhill
Hills need their own approach in snow and ice. Going up, hold a steady, constant speed and leave generous room to the vehicle in front so there is no need to stop partway, and avoid changing gear on the climb if it can be helped, since that is where momentum and grip are most easily lost. Going down, select a lower gear before starting the descent and rely on engine braking by easing off the accelerator, rather than the brakes, which can lock the wheels on a slippery slope. Brake sparingly and only when genuinely needed.
If the Van Starts to Skid
Even a well-prepared driver can meet a patch of ice, so it helps to know what to do before it happens. If the van begins to skid, the most important thing is to stay calm and avoid sharp inputs. Ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go. In a rear-wheel skid, that means steering into the slide, so if the back of the van slides to the right, steer to the right until it settles. Smooth, measured steering recovers control; jerky corrections usually make a skid worse.
Visibility in Winter Conditions
Seeing and being seen is the other half of safe winter driving. Keep dipped headlights on in poor light and falling snow so other road users pick out a large van early. If visibility drops below 100 metres, fog lights are appropriate, but switch them off again the moment conditions improve, as they can dazzle the traffic behind. On the bright, low-sun mornings that often follow a cold night, glare bouncing off a frosted road can be blinding, so keeping a pair of sunglasses to hand makes the way ahead much easier to read.
Book Your New Year Van Hire
The depot is centrally located at Cockhedge Shopping Centre, with secure on-site parking, no deposit required on most vehicles and quick access to the M6, M62 and M56, which tend to be gritted before the quieter roads. Serving the wider Warrington van hire area and open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm, it is well placed for New Year jobs out towards Runcorn van hire, Widnes van hire, Altrincham van hire and St Helens van hire. To check availability or talk through which van suits the job, call 01925 396 222 or complete an online enquiry.
