Winter time brings with it a series of challenges that truck owners need to negotiate. If they don’t, they may find themselves needing truck accident lawyers to help them get out of a sticky spot. Preparing your truck for winter means going through the details that keep your truck running and ensuring that they’re dealt with to stand up to mother nature. The snow and cold of winter can hurt your truck’s ability to start or stay on the roads, so taking the right precautions can save you some heartache later. Here, we look at the best ways to prepare your truck to deal with winter.
Check Your Battery
Thought Co. informs us that batteries operate at a reduced state in lower temperatures because the chemical interactions that produce power are slowed. They also tend to discharge much faster in cold weather. The first thing you should do is check to make sure your truck battery isn’t expired. Ideally you should carry a voltmeter to check the power across the terminals. If you have a cold battery, keep a warm one nearby in reserve.
Keep An Eye on Your Diesel
When the temperature drops to a certain level, the paraffin inside the diesel changes to become waxy. When this happens the fuel solidifies, making it impossible to pass through the fuel lines. Truck drivers who want to avoid this problem approach it innovatively. They put a special fuel blend that has a high cetane rating and include anti-gel additives to ensure that it doesn’t freeze over.
Inspect Your Cooling System
Just because the outside temperature is cold doesn’t mean you can neglect your cooling system. If your hoses, clamps or other parts are damaged, the issue will; become worse as the temperature drops. You should make a cursory check of all your hoses and pipes, and pay particular attention to the valves and connections. Testing your radiator cap is also a good idea. Ideally, it should give you a minimum pressure of 5 PSI. Including antifreeze should deal with the worst issues of your cooling system freezing in the harsh temperatures.
Filters and Water Separator Inspection
You should check the fuel filters and water separator every day and empty the separator when it’s full. Additionally, pay close attention to the age of your filters. Old filters need to be replaced on a regular basis. Air dryer filters should also come under inspection. These filters help to keep particulate matter out of the air dryer. They get dirty and require changing ever so often.
Other Concerns
These are the most major things to keep an eye on, but trucks have any things that can go wrong with them in the harsh cold of winter. Tire pressure should always be checked before you set out on a trip. If you’re going to be parked for a long period, consider investing in an electric engine-block heater. If your windshield wipers are made for dry, warm weather you may want to replace them with wipers attuned to the cold. Each of these seem like small changes, but their combined effort can be significant in ensuring that your truck remains working all through the winter season.
