As anyone who has driven in wind will know, particularly if you were driving in a larger vehicle with wide side areas like vans or trucks, the driving experience changes. Certain wind might just make you grip the steering wheel a little harder, while larger gusts or storms can significantly increase your risk while on the road.

At Warner Vans of Utah, we know this is a common concern among those who drive our various custom Sprinter vans. In the case of our Mercedes-Benz models, there are actually tools in place to help assist you as a driver with high wind or other airflow concerns. Let’s go over some of the basics of crosswind driving, why it’s a risk in multiple ways, and how the Crosswind Assist feature can help.

Crosswind Basics

The general term we’re discussing here is “crosswind,” which can gust into the broad side of a Sprinter van or larger vehicle and affect it significantly due to the size of this area. If the wind is strong enough, it can even have significant driving effects on even the strongest vehicles out there.

This wind affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle, often making it tougher to drive normally. This can have more than one trickle-down effect, which we’ll go over in our next section.

Multiple Effects

There are two primary negatives associated with crosswinds and driving in them:

Safety: The primary concern here is safety, which is a natural one given the volume of Sprinter van sides. Strong winds will be able to use this entire surface to impact the traction or direction of travel as the vehicle moves, and if these winds are high enough, this can become a major safety risk with very little warning. In the worst cases, it can even lead to vehicles flipping.

Vehicle wear: Another effect of regularly driving in heavy crosswinds can be premature wear and tear on certain components of the vehicle. Tires may wear down faster, for instance, or brakes may need replacement earlier than usual due to heavy use in high-wind areas.

Crosswind Assist Feature

Mercedes-Benz is always at the forefront of issues like these, and their Crosswind Assist feature is a major benefit to owners of their vehicles. This feature became standard on all Sprinters and Metris Vans back in 2016, kicking in at speeds over 50 mph and applying subtle, barely noticeable adjustments to your braking and direction as you drive. Not only does it help keep the vehicle from drifting out of its lane or contacting other cars, it limits the resulting wear and tear on components of the vehicle that you need to last for years.

For more on crosswinds and how Mercedes helps, or to learn about any of our luxury Sprinter van options, speak to the pros at Warner Vans of Utah today.