The important features of minivans are discussed below. They range from comfort and suitability facilities, to the absolute necessary life-saving devices.
1. Telescoping Steering Wheel or Adjustable Pedals:
It is needless to say that the safety and comfort of the driver is vital in any vehicle. The telescoping steering wheel allows you to adjust the wheel further or closer to you so as to be comfortable. The adjustable pedals on their part are good for the shorter drivers as they allow them to move the pedals closer to them without the need of moving the seat forward. Both these features work to serve the same purpose and the minivans, depending on the manufacturer, have either of the two facilities. The minivans of the future will most definitely have both of them, but for now one of them will do.
2. Tire-Pressure Warning
This system alerts the driver when the tire pressure falls below what is considered the normal level, or the factory specification level. The perils of deflated tires or under inflated tires are dangerous. If the tires are not properly inflated, it will impede on the driver’s ability to keep the vehicle under control in hazard situations like accidents and sharp turns. Most drivers are guilty of not checking on the tire pressure before embarking on a journey. But for minivan drivers, help has come in the form of a tire-pressure warning system. On top of this important feature, some minivans come with run-flat tires. This phenomenon, supported by stiff sidewalls, supports the vehicle’s weight in the eventuality that the tires deflate considerably or completely. You can be able to drive the vehicle for a distance of up to 50 miles, at a speed of 55 miles per hour. This is vital in case the tire deflates in a remote location with no help in site. The system works by having a rubber donut fitted inside a tire. Another alternative is the self-sealing tires that come with an extra layer coated with a puncture sealant. The sealant seals small puncture entirely on itself.
3. Stability Control and Good Traction:
Traction control by definition is a feature that allows for a much assured low speed maneuvers in snowy, slippery or muddy conditions. The traction system assists by applying the brakes and reducing the engine power to the specific wheel(s) – that is spinning and losing traction and then redirects the power to the wheel(s) that have grip. Stability control on its part comes in handy in high-speed situations by summoning sensors to monitor if the vehicle is keeping to your intended general direction based on the steering, throttle and brake. This feature, just like traction control, is useful in slippery conditions as it curtails dangerous skids by applying brakes and/or reducing engine power to the affected wheel. Also see: The Comforts of Minivans
The Comforts of Minivans
Minivans are equipped to be very user friendly. Most people that buy minivans are families with small children and they need the extra space to haul all the “things” that come with traveling with kids. A few of these “creature comforts” include:
In-Floor Storage Facility:
Family vehicles need a lot of storage facilities, while the boot is sufficient for most storage shores. But if you want to prevent your stuff from baking or rolling all over, you will find the in floor storage feature of the minivans quite welcome. This facility also helps to provide for a comfortable riding experience as it frees up floor space that could have been taken up by rear storage. If you are in need of an even larger flat space to carry luggage, you open the in floor space and then fold the second and third row seats inside. This is a very easy and convenient way of creating space.
Flat-Folding Third Row Seat:
Most minivan automakers provide this feature that allows the third row seat to fold flat neatly on the floor to create space for luggage. The flexibility also allows one to lower one section of the seat to the ground to carry cargo, while the other part of the seat is used for passenger seating. This feature is a welcome one for those in constant carrying of cargo as they do not need to engage in the rigorous ritual of removing the seats completely every time they need to carry goods.
Reconfigurable Second Row Seats:
As need arises you will be forced to look further than the third row seats when you want to ferry cargo around. This feature allows you to configure the second row seats and turn them in to a form bench, and hence free up space for luggage, especially the bulky ones. The flexible manner of the adjustability of the second row seats gives you the discretion of deciding how you will divide the leg room between the 2nd and the 3rd row seats. Some models come with a pop up center 2nd row seat, coupled with a full adjustability of the 2nd row. This makes the 2nd row able to seat three passengers instead of two. Some models even have covered spaces in the floor that are used to fold the 2nd and 3rd row seats into. The spaces can also be used for storage when the seats are not folded into them.
Reverse-Sensing System:
This system, also called pack assist, use mounted sensor that use sonar to identify objects or people from between three to six feet away from the vehicle. The driver is aided by beeps of varying intensity that enable him to know how close he is to an object before it is too late. The reverse sensors are also vital when you are parallel packing in a limited space. There is a backup system based on the radar that sense objects and people up to 16 feet behind the vehicle. This system however does not come with the vehicle, so you will have to make an extra investment to acquire it, but it is worth it. Some automakers have fitted their minivans with a rear view camera and a navigation system to project the objects that are behind the vehicle on to the navigation screen when the vehicle is in reverse.