11 Expert Tips to Winterize Your Semi-Trucks

According to the Federal Highway Administration, 70 percent of the United States’ roads are located in snowy regions (defined as receiving five inches or more of snow per year). And, in Canada, severe weather can be the norm during winter months. 

Winter can bring some of the toughest driving conditions on US roads. The sudden drop in temperatures wreaks havoc on major truck components if not prepared correctly. In addition, the increase in chances of icy and inclement weather significantly increases the odds of semi-trucks getting in an accident, especially if they aren’t up to date on their maintenance. Also, having a breakdown during freezing temperatures can lead to life-threatening conditions for the driver, adding a whole other level or urgency to ensure your fleet can weather winter storms. 

Then, of course, there are business concerns about downtime and loss of profits. The more often your trucks break down, and the longer they stay off the roads, the more expenses your business will incur. All of this combines into a need for fleet owners and managers to prepare their semi-trucks for the winter or face significant challenges. 

As winter approaches, all of us here at TLG Peterbilt want to help keep your drivers and fleet safe. To help keep you rolling, we’ve put together this expert guide of nine things you need to do before your trucks hit the highway in November. Read on to find out how to prepare your trucks and your personnel for whatever this winter has in store for us.

1. Put Together an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Winter prep should include safety and emergency tools should your truck hit extreme weather and be shut down due to road closures. That means extra food and water, blankets, snow gear, and flashlights. On top of putting together and stocking these items for your drivers, it’s a good idea to use this time to look at and make any needed updates to your roadside emergency kit. Make sure road flares are in good condition, jumper cables are present, reflective triangles are in working order, and ice scrapers are available. Take a moment to refresh first aid supplies as well. Even if you’re drivers don’t end up needing all of these items, it’s better to be prepared in case some one else does. Emergency kits can save lives.

2. Inspect Electrical Connections and Charge Batteries

When it comes to preparing your trucks for winter, the top concern is having power to start your truck. Failing batteries are one of the most common causes of semi-truck breakdowns. It’s estimated that as high as 25% of semi-truck breakdown are caused by battery malfunctions. When extreme cold hits, it reduces the cranking power of the truck’s engine. This means it takes much longer to recharge batteries once they’re cold – sometimes the charge acceptance on an AGM battery is as low as 2 amps per hour. You should test and ensure batteries are fully charged and load tested for winter months. In addition, road salt and other road treatments can get can stuck in the engine as the truck drives over the road. Road treatments can corrode electrical connectors, making it far more likely that your truck will have an electrical systems failure precisely when you don’t want it to. It’s important to inspect all electrical connections prior to sending your trucks out during the winter months.

In addition, road salt and other road treatments can get can stuck in the engine as the truck drives over the road. Road treatments can corrode electrical connectors, making it far more likely that your truck will have an electrical systems failure precisely when you don’t want it to. It’s important to inspect all electrical connections prior to sending your trucks out during the winter months.

3. Make Sure Tires and Brakes Are Ready for Winter

When it comes to winter driving, nothing is more important than traction. According to the American Trucking Association, over 50% of semi-truck roadside breakdowns are tire-related. If you’re running predominantly in the Northern states, or in Canada, some fleets switch to a more aggressive tread in winter months – warehousing their more fuel-efficient tires for use later. Other fleets will go with a more aggressive tread year-round. For those running all-purpose tread, it’s vital to keep tabs on tread depth. Change out your tires on the side of caution – perhaps move your steer or drive tires to your trailer position, or retread your drives ahead of schedule to ensure maximum tread depth. It’s also important to make sure you are frequently checking tire pressure and filling tires as needed. Colder temperatures cause the molecules in gaseous matter to slow and decrease in volume, thus requiring more air to keep them properly inflated. 

Aside from tires, keeping brakes in top shape is a must going into winter. Winter brings cold and icy conditions that spell disaster for the truck that can’t stop safely. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 29% of semi-truck accidents are caused by brake failures. This is especially true in winter. It’s important to inspect your trucks and perform regular maintenance to make sure your brakes won’t fail you on the road. When it comes to drum brakes, they can freeze. (Disc brakes don’t.) When you start off your day, drive slowly to ensure your wheels are turning. It can be a bigger problem with trailers – especially those that have been sitting. In some cases, you might need a hammer to tap free the ice from the drum. If you’re not paying attention and drive off with locked drums you will flat spot your tires.

4. Choose the Right Anti-Jelling Products for Your Diesel Setup

One of the major concerns many truck drivers have during winter months is fuel jelling. This occurs when temperatures drop to the point that the components of diesel begin to solidify, clogging filters and generally causing major issues with the engine. Anti-jelling solutions can help prevent this, but not all additives are created equal. The trick is finding out what sort of anti-jelling product you need for your fuel and average temperature composition. In general, additives need to be present in fuel prior to exposing it to colder temperatures, so it’s important to plan out what you need to keep everything running smoothly. 

Diesel fuel is usually blended for the area it is sold in, so, that means fuel sold in the Southern states will jell sooner than Northern fuel in dropping temperatures. Biodiesel is more prone to cold fuel filter plugging than diesel. Depending on the base stock, this can occur at temperatures as high as 50F/10C. Additional solutions are generally required as temperatures drop below 15F/-9C. This could be the use of fuel line heaters, additives, or blended fuel. Fuel additives may work for diesel only, bio diesel only, or for both. Major truck stops and your local TLG Parts Department will be able to tell you which is the best to buy, plus if you’re buying biodiesel, they’ll be able to tell you the content of the fuel you’re purchasing.

5. Check Fuel Filters and Water Separators 

Fuel filters and water separators protect your engine from contaminants and water. And, in winter, there is another element coming into play – condensation from a warm fuel tank when the outside temps are cold. So, both need to be checked frequently. Additionally, if condensation or water gets into places it shouldn’t be, it can cause major damage as temperatures drop. This is because water expands as it freezes, causing damage to lines and engine components.

6. Identifying Leaks and Preventing Ice Build-Up 

During the winter months, it’s more important than ever to do thorough pre- and post-trip inspections. Look for any leaks – especially when it comes to the cooling system; antifreeze levels need to be at their prescribed level to keep engine components running smoothly. What’s more, ice and snow can accumulate. If ice forms on wiring or hoses, the added weight can pull connections loose. And if you run an APU, check to make sure ice buildup and snow are not blocking your exhaust or your intake systems. Allowing ice to accumulate can lead to breakdowns on the road, unsafe conditions, and can significantly damage truck components.

7. Keep Your 5th Wheel in Good Condition

As mentioned before, winter can often bring inclement weather and icy conditions. Wind and ice can cause your rig to slide around a lot, and a semi-truck with 5th wheel that can’t articulate properly can spell disaster. Your 5th wheel is the major connection point between your semi-tractor and the trailer. It allows the trailer to swing and move independently of the tractor so that you can make turns and maneuver without the fear of rolling over or smashing into things. It also distributes the weight evenly between the tractor and trailer. It’s extremely important to keep your 5th wheel clean and properly greased. If your 5th wheel is not moving freely, it takes more pressure to make your kingpin turn. This can compromise your turning and keep you moving straight ahead, versus making a corner. Proper lubrication can keep that from happening.

8. Clear Soot Through Stationary Re-Gens

Your emission system and re-gens require heat. And, that can be a problem in the winter. Chances are you’ll be traveling slower, and stopping more frequently. That means your re-gen light could come on more frequently. You need to be vigilant about clearing the soot through a stationary re-gen. As soot builds up in your diesel particulate filter (DPF), the chances of power loss to the tractor increase. In order to prevent stalling out, it’s important not to skip stationary re-gen maintenance.

9. Keep Taillights Clean and Free of Ice

In the old days, tail lights emitted enough heat to keep the lenses snow and ice-free. Today’s LED bulbs can be ordered with a heating element in the housing to do the same thing. But, if you don’t have those heating elements, ice can build up. You need to be diligent about cleaning the taillights and marker lights to ensure you’re seen by other motorists. Make sure to inspect your taillights every time you stop for ice and snow buildup. Use an ice scraper or brush to remove any buildup before continuing the route.

10. Replace Wipers and Keep Wiper Fluids Topped Up

The winter months mean snow, and lots of it! Depending on where your route takes your drivers, they may encounter quite a bit of winter weather on their trip. Just as it’s important to ensure the windshield wipers on your semi-truck are always in working order to deal with rain, it’s important to make sure your trucks are prepared take care of snow and ice to keep visibility clear as well. Look for replacement blades designed for winter use. Some will be marked with a snowflake on the package. This signifies the wiper is more robust and able to with heavier usage like when clearing of snow or ice. 

It's also important to make sure you’re using the right wiper fluid. Similar to diesel fuel, wiper fluid composition in the South, is made with less de-icing solution than in the North. A good rule of thumb is to buy the fluid in the coldest territory you plan to travel in. Also, keep in mind, not only does a clean windshield mean better visibility, it also improves the capabilities of forward-looking safety technologies!

11. Keep Your Semi-Truck Clean

It’s hard to keep your rig looking nice in the winter with all the dirt and snow around. But there is another element on the road that is playing havoc with your undercarriage – and that’s salt and de-icing fluids you pick up from the road. As we mentioned earlier, road treatments can cause major corrosion damage to your truck’s moving parts and can eat away at connectors that are necessary to keep your electrical system up and running. The only way to safeguard your truck from those corrosive elements is to run your rig through a truck wash. You’ll be thankful you did down the road.

Get Your Semi-Truck Winterized at The Larson Group

Winter is fast approaching, and it’s important to make sure all of your trucks are ready to go before they head out on their routes. Now is the time to have preventative maintenance performed on your fleet to make sure there aren’t any malfunctions when winter weather strikes. Additionally, The Larson Group can help you run through your checklist and get your trucks prepped for the winter. Whether you need anti-jelling fuel additives, a winter emergency preparedness kit, or are just looking to get your brakes checked ahead of icy weather, the expert technicians at TLG can help you get exactly what you need. 

Reach out to your nearest TLG Peterbilt location to schedule winterization services, stock up on parts at the Online Parts Counter and check out the latest specials.