Checklist: Make Sure Your Fleet is Prepared for Winter

When dealing with the upcoming cold weather, preparation is crucial. It's helpful to make a detailed checklist to secure your safety, including measures that address best practices, ensure that your trucks are running at their best, and ensure that all necessary equipment is on board. The following checklist might be the difference between a safe and enjoyable journey and getting stranded on the side of the road. 

Connect to a block heater while your truck is still warm

Block heaters are not intended to warm up a cold engine; instead, they are designed to preserve the heat that has already been created—connecting a truck after its engine has cooled defeats the purpose.

Disconnect from the block heater before starting your truck

If your block heater is still hooked up when you start your engine you can burn out your heater.  This can happen really quickly so always remember to disconnect from the block heater before starting.  

Treat your diesel fuel for winter temperatures

Specialized fuel treatments may be required in colder weather. Consider the lowest temperatures you could face while selecting a treatment and treating it appropriately. When in doubt, it’s better to be cautius and treat your fuel systems. If unsure, you can select an alcohol-free treatment which will not cause any harm to your system. 

Do not leave your truck idling

When the engine is turned off, the temperature increases by around 18°F; idling a truck as it pulls off the road will cool the engine more effectively than turning it off. Starting a chilly truck and letting it idle, on the other hand, is pointless. Get in a truck that has been sitting and drive it around the yard to warm it up. Once the truck has achieved maximum oil pressure it will warm the engine, gearbox, differential, and suspension.

Drain the air tanks and the fuel water separators

The propensity of water to condense in diesel tanks rises as ambient air temperatures decline. After that, the water may be transferred into the filter/heater unit. Draining should be done regularly during times of excessive cold to avoid freezing and other damage.

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Clean the fuel filter properly

Fuel filters are the engine's sole line of defense against pollutants in the fuel. To lengthen filter life or boost flow, a higher micron diesel filter should never be employed, and it might invalidate the warranty and cause damage to the pump and injectors.

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Adhere to this checklist and ensure you prepare your truck perfectly well to drive in winter.