The Physics on Snow of a Shuttle Park City SUV

Park City, United States of America, 09/28/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

While traveling to Park City from the airport, why should you choose to ride in an Shuttle Park City SUV? Why is it better to ride in an SUV vs a taxi car or minivan? Utah during the winter is typically a very snowy time of the year. Often the roads may be covered by snow and ice, making travel more treacherous. Nobody wants to crash while driving in the snow. Arriving safely is among most traveler’s top priorities. An SUV, with four wheel drive and high quality snow tires should be your most desired form of transportation. The bulk of this article will explain the physics behind why you should choose to ride in a Shuttle Park City SUV .

While driving in the snow and ice, it is important for your vehicle to have exceptional traction. Traction can be defined as the maximum amount of force the tire can apply against the ground before slipping. There are two important factors which influence the amount of traction a vehicle can have. The first to consider is tire quality. Winter tires are specifically designed to produce the maximum amount of traction on snow and ice. Shuttle Park City for example, uses a tire which is composed of a unique rubber compound. Nanoprotec polymers which reside in the rubber compound of the tire prevent stiffening of the rubber in colder temperatures. This improves flexibility of the tire and allows for greater gripping power onto the road. Embedded in the rubber of the tire are bite particles which also enhance the gripping ability of the tire onto ice. The shape of the rubber can also make a difference. When a tire’s tread block is formed with 3D zigzag sipes, a multitude of biting edges help hold the tire to the road. These sipes along with small multicelled tubes help suck water off the surface of the road giving the tire and bite particles better contact with the road surface. Though quality snow tires are important for traction, the combination of a second factor will help increase traction to the road.

The weight of a vehicle is the second important factor which can influence the traction of a vehicle. The more force pushing down onto the road by the vehicle, the more traction between the road and the tire will be produced. Because an SUV tends to be a heavier vehicle than a taxi car or a minivan, the more traction an SUV will have on snow and ice. The combination of high quality snow tires with the weight of a heavy vehicle will create the most traction.

Another reason a Shuttle Park City SUV is a better method of transportation during the winter than a taxi car or a minivan is because Shuttle Park City SUVs are equipped with 4 wheel drive, whereas taxi cars and minivans aren't. Four wheel drive can give vehicles an an advantage in the snow. Lets explain why. One of the main forces which act upon a car is called the longitudinal force. This force is produced as the engine of the vehicle turns the wheels or as the brakes of the car are applied. Due to the nature of snow, especially deep snow, much force is required to move through it. A two wheel drive car is limited to utilizing the traction of only 2 tires. With a 4 wheel drive vehicle, the force produced by the engine is distributed to 4 wheels, the traction of 4 tires is used, and is more effective than just two. SUVs with 4 wheel drive can apply more force to the road allowing it to utilize all its tire traction.

When comparing a large SUV such as a Suburban to sedan or a minivan, most people can see that the Suburban is the largest of the vehicles. A Suburban simply has more room inside and allows people to stretch out. It’s openness allows people to feel comfortable and relaxed. Taxi cars are small and too many seats are crowded into the available space of a minivan. Though suburbans tend to have plenty of room and not to mention nice heated leather seats, it’s the amount of traction they have on the snow which make them a better form of transportation than a taxi car or a minivan. For this reason Shuttle Park City uses Suburbans for its Park City and Salt Lake transportation vehicles.