The winter months can be a beast that requires specific winter maintenance attention, but proper and regular maintenance is vital all year round in the trucking industry. Even if the cold weather is a constant concern, the sudden temperature reductions have a considerably greater negative impact on the engine and other parts than the summertime heat does. As a result, any components that have not been adequately maintained will unavoidably see greater wear due to the extra stress of winter driving.
In order to keep you safe and functional during severe winter weather conditions, let us look at some of the best winter truck maintenance advice by one of the Tata motors dealers in Gurgaon –
Check fluid levels
To keep your truck running as efficiently as possible throughout the cold weather months, make sure all of your fluids are full. To maintain clean eyesight, windscreen washer fluid may be necessary. When the temperatures drop, other fluids, particularly coolant and antifreeze for radiators, might become even more crucial in battling the winter’s stress. This aids in keeping good fuel efficiency.
Change your wipers
Your wiper blades play a major role in keeping your vision clean while driving in bad weather. Intense weather conditions like freezing rain and ice build-up may leave you stranded with a damaged wiper blade if your windscreen wipers are too old and worn to handle the job.
Keep your fuel tank at least half full
However, there are advantages to keeping more fuel in the tank during the winter, such as preventing condensation build-up that will introduce unwanted water into your tank. Truckers typically get into the habit of only filling up enough fuel for each trip so that their paycheck is not sitting in their fuel tanks. Even if your gasoline tank has a water separator before it enters, condensation build-up can still result in water entering the tank later.
Check the battery
Battery maintenance in cold weather requires extra attention as well. It is essential to confirm that the battery is still in good condition so you can be sure it can keep a charge. You might want to think about maintaining a reliable voltage tester on board. The battery must always be completely charged, and the terminals must be free of corrosion, which might impede or stop a charge and leave you with a dead battery.
Plug in the engine block heater
Trucks plugged in under the hood with extension cords may be seen in chilly weather. Although it may seem strange to some, this actually serves an important purpose by preventing cold soaks and keeping the engine block warm, which makes it simpler to start the engine.
Check tires and tire pressure
We are aware that as the temperature changes outside, the air in tyres expands and contracts. Naturally, this can get worse in subfreezing weather, so it’s critical to keep the tyres properly inflated to keep them operating safely and prevent excessive wear. As per one of the Tata Motors Dealers in Ambala, it will be easier to avoid breakdowns and accidents if your tyres are properly inflated and your winter tyres are in good condition.
Avoid cold soaks
For people who are unfamiliar with diesel engines, “cold soaks” may seem strange. They happen when the engine fluids and metal engine block components reach room temperature. The fuel’s hazy appearance, caused by the wax component solidifying, can also have an effect.
Use winterized fuel
Diesel fuel doesn’t perform well in the cold. Running your truck on untreated fuel in sub-freezing conditions can result in major problems including fuel gelling, clogged filters from build-up, or even frozen fuel lines. Avoiding these problems will help your engine last longer and keep you on the road earning money.
