Truck winter maintenance precautions

Doing a good job of truck maintenance is the only way to ensure that the truck can run properly in the harsh winter months. What aspects do truck drivers need to pay attention to in winter?

Diesel

For diesel trucks driving to cold regions, a low condensation point winter oil suitable for the local temperature should be used. To ensure that the diesel fuel can burn properly, it should have a high cetane number and a suitable fraction composition, suitable low temperature fluidity and viscosity, good evaporation and oxidation stability.

Tire

  When winter arrives, the roads tend to freeze and such road conditions can easily cause tailgating and loss of steering control, which is also a test of tyre performance.

Tyre pressure: the most important aspect to pay attention to

Due to the large temperature difference in winter, the thermal expansion and contraction of the air in the tyres is greater and the tyre pressure is more likely to change. The level of tyre pressure directly affects the performance and reflection of the tyre and influences fuel consumption and service life. High tyre pressure not only increases the risk of a blow-out, but also reduces the grip range of the tyres, so that they do not provide sufficient friction to brake the vehicle during emergency braking.

Low tyre pressure also means that the outer edge of the tyre touches the ground on both sides, but not the whole tread. This increases the wear on the tyre wall and at the same time does not provide enough grip area, which is as dangerous as driving with high tyre pressure. And frequent wear on the thinnest part of the tyre wall can lead directly to tyre damage.

Tire textures

In winter the rubber becomes harder and relatively brittle, which not only reduces the performance of the friction system, but also makes it more likely to break than in other seasons. As the car is positioned with a certain camber and the road is high in the middle and low on the sides, the tires are worn very differently inside and out, so to ensure safety and reduce wear, tires should be given a change of position on a regular basis.

However, it is important to note that tyres with different tread patterns or sizes should not be replaced at will to avoid slipping and loss of control due to different friction on the ice. When using a single guide tyre, do not put the tread pattern on backwards, otherwise you will lose grip.

If there is uneven wear from side to side, a four-wheel alignment should be carried out so that all tyre treads land evenly. Always check that there are no foreign objects such as stones or sharp objects trapped in the tread.

The inside and outside of tire walls need to be cared for

As we all know, the tire wall is the most vulnerable part of the whole tire, once cut or scratched will basically lead to a direct blowout.

It is advisable to check the inner tire wall for damage after every drive on a complex road and before you get on the highway.

Grease

As the viscosity of ordinary lubricants increases with falling temperatures, their fluidity deteriorates, generally exacerbating wear and tear on the machine parts and often leading to cold starting difficulties when the car is started.

Therefore, when winter comes, the oil sump, air compressor and wheel bearings should be replaced with winter lubricants in time; the gear oil in the transmission, distributor, differential and steering gear should be replaced with winter gear oil.

In particular, oils that have been in use for a long time and have become black in colour and poor in viscosity are best replaced to ensure smooth engine start-up.

Antifreeze

The amount of antifreeze must be appropriate. Different regions and models should pay attention to the freezing point and type of antifreeze.

The main raw material of antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which ensures that the water in the tank does not freeze when it is below zero degrees Celsius, thus ensuring the normal operation of the engine. If the antifreeze becomes thick, cloudy, deteriorating, blistering and the content is too low, it should be replaced in time. Because once the antifreeze fails, it will cause the freezing point to rise, and in winter when the temperature is too low, it is very easy to damage the water tank and even the engine because of the expansion of the freezing.

It is recommended that the antifreeze is changed every two years, but the mixed antifreeze must be replaced in one year. It is best to flush the cooling system with water before replacement, and do not mix different brands and models.

In winter, it is important to regularly check whether the water tank, water pump and belts, water pipes, filler tank and other parts are working properly, and if they are damaged or faulty, it is best to repair or replace them in time. Otherwise you may waste a bucket of antifreeze because of a small hose.

Brake fluid

The brake fluid should be checked to see if there is enough and if the quality has deteriorated, and should be refilled or replaced in time if needed.

Wiper

Keeping the windscreen clear is essential for safe driving. If you find that the windscreen wipers are stuck to the windscreen by snow, do not use hot water to rinse them directly, as this will easily crack the windows and deform the wipers due to temperature changes. The correct method should be to turn on the hot air conditioning with the blowing mode to the front windscreen and leave the windscreen wipers to melt away naturally.

Air conditioning

Winter is the season to use the warm air again, the warm air system can also fail after a long time out of use, so you should first try to see if there is hot air, if the fan is running with no strange noise, and if the air duct is clear.

In particular, you should pay attention to whether the air coming out of the defrost vent under the windscreen is normal and whether there is enough heat. A problem with the windscreen defrost vent can cause a lot of trouble and insecurity in winter driving.

Sometimes the antifreeze in the heater hose will condense and block the circulation line because it does not flow for a long time. Although it does not affect the vehicle, it is very troublesome to repair, so you must go to a repair shop in time.

Battery

Car batteries are most afraid of low temperatures and their capacity is much lower at low temperatures than at room temperature. Therefore, before going to a cold area, you should replenish the battery electrolyte and adjust the specific gravity of the electrolyte. At the same time, clean the battery terminals and apply special grease to protect them to ensure reliable starting and extend the life of the battery. If the vehicle is parked in the open air for several weeks, the battery should be removed and stored in a warmer room to prevent damage to the battery from freezing.

Chassis

In order to melt the snow as quickly as possible, the roads need to be sprayed with salt water for melting snow. Salt water can corrode the chassis, so it is best to take the time and give the chassis a rust-proof treatment.

Headlights

In winter, fog and frost can easily rise, visibility is low and rear-end accidents are particularly common, so whether the fog lights and high mounted stop lights are working properly is also a guarantee of safety when driving in winter.