Preparing your truck for the cold weather
October 27, 2021
As we get closer to winter, it’s important that you’ve thought about how to adjust your truck for the colder weather.
Not only will your vehicle need a little extra help through potentially disruptive weather, but drivers should also prepare for any unexpected problems. Nobody wants to be stuck in a snowstorm without the right tools or clothes.
Preparing your truck in advance will save you money and ensure that you’re ready for whatever the cold weather will throw at you.
Checking your truck
The first step of preparing your truck is to perform a thorough check of your truck’s components and systems.
The most important of these is the battery. Cold weather can dramatically impact your battery’s strength, which could cause significant problems on the road. If your battery is more than three years old, consider replacing it before the winter arrives.
It might sound counterproductive, but make sure to check your cooling system and coolant - these are still crucial to the working of your truck during cold weather. Additionally, try to continually monitor the water separator, fuel filters, and air dryer.
Winter tyres
In some countries, it’s a requirement that trucks have winter tyres in the colder months - but you should consider changing your tyres even when solely driving in the UK.
Winter tyres feature a different tread and composition to standard tyres, ensuring you have a better grip on icy or wet roads. You should also buy tyre chains for extra traction in deep snow.
Cold weather will naturally lower the pressure in your tyres, so keep this in mind when you adjust your tyre pressure.
Avoid cold soaks
A cold soak occurs when the temperature of the engine fluid and engine block drops. It usually happens if your truck has been sitting for a while and will affect all engine systems. In the worst-case scenario, this will prevent your vehicle from actually starting.
To combat this, avoid leaving your truck in the cold for long. Also, remember to stock up on anti-freeze to lower the freezing temperature of your cooling system.
Survival kit
It’s not only your truck that should get a winter makeover. Drivers should also make adjustments and prepare for the long periods spent driving in cold weather.
Perform extra checks before driving in bad conditions, and always stop driving if you think it’s too dangerous.
It’s also helpful to have a winter survival kit in your truck to get you through the cold season. A few examples of items you should keep in your truck are:
- Warmer clothes and a sleeping bag
- A first aid kit
- An inverter
- Gloves
- A mobile phone and charger
- A High vis jacket
- A brush to brush away snow if your wheels get stuck
- Food and a hot drink (including food appliances, e.g. a kettle and a stove)
If you’ve completed these preparations, then you and your truck should be ready for any eventuality that might arise in winter driving conditions.