Essential items for trucks during winter

In the cold winter, drivers have to face more troubles than in other seasons. Trucks, like people, need various "cold-proof items" to resist the adverse effects of cold weather. So what should you prepare for your truck in winter? Here are some recommendations.

1. Coolant

The coolant has the functions of anti-freezing in winter, anti-boiling in summer, anti-scaling and anti-corrosion all year round.

If you want the engine to be able to start at any time, you must rely on coolant, which can ensure that the engine can work normally at low temperatures. The freezing point of the coolant is the most important indicator and an important condition for whether the coolant can prevent freezing. The lower the freezing point, the higher the boiling point, and the greater the temperature difference, the better the quality of the coolant.

Coolant is composed of three parts: water, antifreeze and additives. According to the different antifreeze ingredients, it can be divided into alcohol type, glycerin type, ethylene glycol type and other types of coolants.

Alcohol-based coolants have a lower boiling point, are volatile, have a higher freezing point, and are flammable, which has led to their gradual phasing out. Glycerin-based coolants, on the other hand, are costly and expensive, making them difficult for users to accept.

Currently, the coolant used in engines both domestically and internationally, as well as those sold in the market, is predominantly ethylene glycol-based coolant. It is formulated using ethylene glycol as the antifreeze, with a small amount of comprehensive additives such as anti-foaming and anti-corrosion agents. Due to the high solubility of ethylene glycol in water, it can be mixed to achieve various freezing points, with a minimum freezing point reaching -68°C. This type of coolant features a high boiling point, low foaming tendency, good viscosity-temperature performance, and effective anti-corrosion and anti-scaling properties, making it an ideal coolant option.

2. Windshield washer fluid

It is mainly composed of water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, corrosion inhibitor and various surfactants. The alcohol and ethylene glycol in it can significantly reduce the freezing point of the liquid, thus playing an antifreeze role and quickly dissolving frost.

In winter, windshield washer fluid should have excellent cleaning and antifreeze properties. You should choose a washer fluid with a freezing point that is more than 10°C lower than the local minimum temperature. For example, if the minimum temperature is around minus 15°C, then we should buy a washer fluid at minus 20°C or below.

3. Tire pressure

In winter, due to thermal expansion and contraction, the tire pressure should be increased appropriately to ensure driving safety. In addition, objects in the tire gap should be cleaned regularly to prevent the risk of tire blowout caused by the brittleness of the tire due to low temperature.

4. Anti-skid chain

Anti-skid chains are generally made of steel chains or rubber chains and have an anti-skid function. They concentrate the weight of the vehicle on several points of the iron chain, generating huge pressure, which penetrates the ice and snow layer and reaches the road surface, thereby increasing friction and increasing the safety factor of vehicle driving.

Snow chains also have size restrictions, suitable for different wheel sizes and tire widths. Be careful to choose snow chains that match the wheel size. After installing snow chains, the driving speed should generally not exceed 40 km/h, and be careful to avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration as much as possible.

Iron anti-skid chains are widely used and are the most common and classic type. They are cheap, strong and durable. Try not to choose tendon chains or rubber chains, because in severe cold and low temperatures, tendon chains and rubber chains are easy to break, which brings unsafe factors to driving.

5. Insulation cover

In some areas, the temperature is low at night in winter, generally reaching below -15℃. At such a temperature, it is difficult to start the vehicle. Adding an insulation cover to the vehicle can play a role in heat preservation.

6. Ice and snow shovel

Due to snow, frost and other reasons, the windshield of the vehicle will be frozen in winter, which is troublesome to clean. A special ice and snow shovel for the windshield can easily solve this problem.

When the tires are covered with ice and snow, a light shovel can dig through the ice, snow and mud. In snowy weather, it is more convenient to bring an ice and snow shovel than to use the hot air to melt the snow that affects your vision. If the truck is stuck in the snow, a light shovel will be an effective self-rescue tool.

8. First aid kit

The weather changes greatly in autumn and winter, which can easily cause various diseases, so you can prepare some common medicines. In addition, don't forget to prepare some food, such as instant noodles, because you may need them when you are stuck on the road due to a blizzard.

9. Flashlight

Winter is cold, with frequent rain, snow, fog and haze. The light is often poor. When the light is dim or you need to check the vehicle at night, a flashlight can help with lighting. In addition, the current flashlight not only has a simple lighting function, but also has functions such as a safety hammer, a rope cutter and a flashing light. For drivers who often travel long distances, a flashing will be very useful.