Winter Driving and Your Wheelchair Van

If you live in a snowy climate, chances are you may have shoveled your driveway to ensure you can safely reach your car or watched a car slide to a halt on an icy road. Winter weather can affect all people and drivers, but for people with disabilities, keeping a wheelchair van in working condition during the winter months is vital to avoiding some slippery situations—as you don't want to lose the ability to travel outside of your home as temperatures fall. Proactively addressing potential hazards can help ensure you are able to maintain mobility and independence during the winter months.

Maintaining Your Wheelchair Conversion This Winter

Colder temperatures can present challenges for any driver, regardless of whether they drive a wheelchair accessible vehicle. However, for drivers with disabilities, a wheelchair accessible vehicle may be the only mode of accessible transportation available; therefore, you'll want to be aware of a few parts of your vehicle, which may require maintenance throughout the season:

• Tires: Cold temperatures can affect tire pressure, leading to decreased grip and reduced handling. To ensure safety, make sure your tires are properly inflated. While most vehicles come with all-season tires, you can consider snow tires for harsher winter conditions.
• Battery: Colder temperatures can affect vehicle battery performance. To ensure your accessible vehicle maintains its battery, it's recommended to turn the vehicle on at least once a day and ensure it runs for about 15 minutes.
• Ramp: Wheelchair ramps can bring in debris, similar to how shoes track dirt indoors. In winter, clean the ramp and door channel to prevent sidewalk salt, ice, and snow from affecting their operation.

Importance of Winter Vehicle Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance is not only important in the winter, but all year round. It's recommended to schedule regular vehicle maintenance with your BraunAbility dealer, every six months, to keep your vehicle in good condition. During a vehicle maintenance appointment, your local BraunAbility dealer will:

• Inspect the Vehicle Battery: The battery plays a crucial role in powering your vehicle's electrical system. If it's not working optimally, it can cause problems with starting the vehicle and operating key systems like the vehicle ramp.
• Clean and Protect Battery Terminals: Similar to the batteries in a remote control, your car's battery can develop corrosion over time. Cleaning and protecting these terminals can help prevent this issue.
• Examine Door and Ramp Mechanisms: These parts ensure the door opens and closes, and the ramp deploys and stows smoothly. Malfunctioning components can hinder accessibility, making it challenging for users to enter or exit the vehicle.
• Apply Lubrication to Hinges, Pivot Points, Door Slides, and Rollers: Ensuring these moving parts are well-lubricated allows for seamless operation. Without proper lubrication, doors and ramps might become rigid, noisy, or jammed, affecting accessibility.
• Clear the Lower Door Channel: The lower door channel allows the door to slide open and closed. As the ramp operates, dirt, debris, and sidewalk salt can gather in this channel, obstructing movement and potentially damaging the vehicle parts. Keeping the area clean ensures optimal performance of the door and ramp.
• Inspect Wheelchair Securement Systems: Mobility dealers check wheelchair tie-down straps, occupant restraint belts, and tie-down tracks to ensure the safety and security of wheelchair users during travel.
• Check and Adjust Tire Pressure: Tires that are not properly inflated can cause tire tread to break down and decrease traction. Correct tire pressure enhances safety.
• Test the Door, Ramp, and Kneeling System: These systems are vital for accessibility. Regular testing ensures all components are operating correctly, providing a smooth and safe entry and exit for users.

Safe Winter Driving Practices in Wheelchair Vans

• Vehicle Features: Utilize basic vehicle features like your defroster. You can also prop up your windshield wipers to keep them from freezing and even utilize heated seats or a heated steering wheel, available in some BraunAbility vehicles, to keep warm inside your vehicle.
• Parking: If available, park your vehicle in a garage or covered area. Not only can this make clearing snow and ice buildup on your vehicle less cumbersome for wheelchair users, but in some cases, it can reduce the risk of your vehicle not turning on due to colder temperatures, as covered spaces often reduce vehicle exposure to the elements.
• Emergency Preparedness: Essential items for an emergency kit include water, a first aid kit, portable chargers, a flashlight, and reflective triangles. For colder weather, add gloves, a blanket, an ice scraper, and hand warmers.

For assistance with vehicle maintenance to prepare for the snowy season, contact your local BraunAbility dealer. For those in rainy or warm climates, check out our tips on flood protection and summer preparation for your wheelchair van.