How to Winterize Your Semi-Truck

Driving a semi-truck in adverse winter conditions is a challenging task. Regardless of your experience and skill level, you should ensure that your semi-truck has been properly winterized before embarking on any type of cold-weather journey. Experienced truck drivers know that they and their vehicles should be prepared for nearly anything. There are a number of common-sense steps that you can take to ensure that both you and your cargo make it safely to your destination, regardless of conditions. Winterizing your truck can be an easy process, especially if you coordinate extensively with a diesel shop in Wytheville, VA.

Before embarking on a winter drive, you should ensure that you and your vehicle are both prepared for extended periods of time exposed to the elements. Forecasts can change instantly in the cooler months, and many routes may take double or triple their typical time to complete. Here are just some of the steps that you should take to ensure that your semi-truck is ready for the winter weather:

• Prepare a safety kit: Before heading out on a winter journey, one of the most significant things that you can do is prepare a proper safety kit. This kit should include a number of useful survival tools, including gloves, a warm hat, flares, canned food, bottled water and a first aid kit. Additionally, it should include tire chains, oil and extra coolant.
• Examine the battery: Prior to taking off, you should carefully test and examine your vehicle’s battery. Batteries can degrade quickly in colder temperatures, and they may not be working as intended if the temperature dips below a certain point. You should test out your battery to ensure its voltage is correct, and examine it for signs of corrosion.
• Inspect the cooling system: It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the most pressing dangers facing winter drivers is the threat of overheating. When slogging through snowy conditions, engines have to work extra hard. You should carefully examine your cooling system and ensure that it is in proper working order.
• Check your tires: Your tires should be seamless and properly inflated for winter travel. If you are unsure what the correct inflation level is for snowy or icy conditions, you should consult with a diesel shop in Wytheville, VA. There should be plenty of tread left on each tire, and it should be free of any cracks or degraded rubber. Don’t forget an air pump!

Since 1983, Complete Truck Service Inc. has been the premier diesel shop in Wytheville, VA. We are proud to offer common-sense winterization services to truck drivers from across the region. We are known for our mechanical expertise and attention to detail. You can count on us to deliver high-quality repair and maintenance services throughout the year. Additionally, we provide our clients with 24-hour roadside assistance, including towing, jump-starts and lockout services. Call one of our professional and helpful representatives today to learn more about our extensive service offerings, and receive a free cost estimate!

Categorised in: Diesel Shop

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