Winter Truck and Trailer Maintainance Tips
Winter Truck and Trailer Maintainance Tips
Posted on March 26, 2022
Maintaining your trucks and trailers all year round is vital. However, the winter can be lengthy and very cold, requiring special maintenance and attention. The quick drop in temperature is a big problem on an engine and other areas. Therefore, parts not properly managed would eventually get more wear than usual because of the stress of winter driving. To that end, here are a few fool-proof winter truck care and winter trailer maintenance tips.
Nullify Cold Soaks
Soaks are notably exclusive to diesel engines, and they occur when engine fluids and the metal parts of the engine components drop in temperature. The fuel is also impacted as the wax area hardens, causing it to become cloudy. This usually happens if the vehicle sits in one position for more than one day. So, make sure you are warming up the engine regularly.
Use Winterized Fuel
Cold weather is especially rough on diesel fuel, and using untreated fuel during winter can lead to severe problems, such as fuel gelling, frozen fuel lines or blocked filters from build-up. So, you should use only winterized fuel to avoid these issues and prolong your engine’s life, keeping you on the road for longer.
Keep the Engine Heater Plugged In
Although this might look odd to the untrained eye, having your engine block heater plugged in in the cold weather is crucial. It will help keep your engine block warm, which helps to avoid cold soaks, making it relatively easy to kickstart the engine.
Monitor Your Battery
Your vehicle battery also needs special care in the cold weather. Ensuring that the battery hasn’t passed its date of expiration is crucial. That way, you can know if it can handle a reasonable charge. You might want to look at having a good voltage tester on board as it is vital to keep your battery fully charged and the terminal corrosion-free. Note that corrosion can prevent or slow battery charging, leaving you with a dead battery at the end of the day.
Monitor Fluid Levels
Ensure that your vehicle’s fluids are consistently topped off to keep your truck in optimal running condition during the cold season. In addition, windshield washer fluid can be essential to keep your vision clear on the road. According to truck service Edmonton, fluids such as antifreeze, coolant or other engine additives can be essential to battle the stress of winter, especially on the radiator, when the temperature drops. It also helps to keep a good fuel economy.
Final Note
Having a sound winter truck maintenance system will help you develop a habit of maintaining your vehicle throughout the year. During the winter season, trucks and trailers struggle against the drop in temperature like many vehicles. So, you must take good care of your vehicle to maintain optimal performance throughout the cold season.