Winterizing Your Truck

Right now with the cool, clear nights, and beautiful sunny days the last thing on your mind is snow and ice, but we will be back to the cooler temps before you know it. Maintenance on your truck is so important year around and especially so in the winter when freezing temps can leave a driver stranded and in danger. So before the cold seeps in here’s a list of items to check so your truck is prepared for anything:

1. Antifreeze- Flush out your cooling system and replace your antifreeze filling to the proper level. Keep an extra jug of antifreeze with you as you travel.

2. Batteries- A single weak battery can weaken all of your batteries so check each one individually to ensure you have all the cranking power you need.

3. Tires/Chains- Good tires are paramount in icy conditions so make sure they are in great shape and that you know how to chain your tires. Carrying a 2nd set of chains is always good practice.

4. Air Tanks/Lines: Drain all air tanks and allow them to properly dry out then add airline-antifreeze back into your lines to keep your valves from freezing up.

5. Fuel Additive/Filters: Extreme cold can turn your fuel to a thick goo causing engine failure so be sure to use and anti-gel additive with each refuel. Also change fuel filters which can freeze from moisture build up and carry a spare filter.

Just a small amount of preventive maintenance now could be what keeps your wheels rolling when the snow starts to stick. What would you add to this list?

Stay safe out there!

Written by: Wenona Mertens