Winter Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

The chilling weather and dropping temperatures is announcing the arrival of winter. Truck driving can be dangerous in winter season, even for the experienced truck drivers. Also, your tough rigid truck may not be able to withstand the freeze.  There are some preventive measures you can take to protect your vehicle from the frost.  These few tips will help your vehicle work efficiently and fruitfully even in bad weather condition.  It is always a good habit to stay prepared and these tips are sure to help you.

Precautions for Truck Battery

Your pickup truck battery’s lead plates should always be covered by water. The levels should never go below desired levels. If it goes, add distilled water. Water addition leads to dilution of electrolyte solution. Hence, make sure to recharge your battery later. Always ensure that battery terminals and cables are tight and clean. Yet be cautious because battery failure is not a predictable phenomenon.

Safety Measures for Truck Tires

You need to ensure your tire’s intactness and certain measures will help you take proper care of the tires. Inspect the tires for wear.  They should always have good tread. Tires have a prescribed pressure which needs to be maintained.  Check the tire pressure and maintain it as suggested by the manufacturer.  If you are going to drive through snow regularly, switch to snow tires. Also, you should always keep the condition of roads in mind.  If the roads are bad then you may have to switch over to either studded snow tires or maybe snow chains. However, make sure you don’t use these on dry roads as these can damage dry roads.

Change Engine Oil

Oil changes are essential for your vehicle.  Refer the owner’s manual to know the desired viscosity of engine oils during winter and maintain it as asked.

Measures related to Anti-freeze

Anti-freeze is an important protection measure for lower temperatures. Generally water and antifreeze are mixed in a 50-50 proportion and this helps to keep your vehicle safe upto minus 20 degrees.  If your surrounding temperature goes below zero, remove a small amount of the mix from the radiator and in place of it add straight antifreeze.  Do occasionally check protection level and redo these corrective measures.  In hot weather, excess of antifreeze can cause cooling problems.  Hence, it is essential to monitor the antifreeze levels in different weather conditions.

Maintenance for Windshield Washer

You also need to maintain your Windshield properly.  The Washer solution you use for your windshield should not freeze in winter.  Always keep the washer solution filled to the brim.  You will need to use windshield washer more often while traversing slushy streets.  Hence to be on safer side, always keep a stock.

Care related to Wiper Blades

Wiper blades should be replaced semi-annually.  Clear the windshield off the frost, snow and rain before turning the wipers on.  This will prevent damage of your Wiper.

Four wheel Drive Truck Care

If you have a four wheel drive operation in your truck there are some things you need to check. Ensure that the transfer lever, locking hubs and push button engagement move freely.  Check whether they have any problems in engagement and disengagement.  Also anyone who drives your 4WD truck should be acquainted with the 4WD System.

Protection of Truck Paint

The cold weather may take a toll on your vehicle’s paint and hence you need to take some protective steps.  During winter wash truck as frequently as possible. Clean the underneath of the truck as well as the wheel wells.  The snow, ice, salt and cinders can harm your truck’s paint’s finish.  Hence, give a wax coating to your truck in winter.

Winter Driving Survival Kit

During winter, having certain things in your vehicle can be of great help to you.  A winter driving survival kit may include snow brush, ice scraper, shovel, first aid kit and a small tool kit.  You may add other things that you are prone to use during winter.  This will keep you well armed to fight the bad weather condition.

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