How to Get Trucks Ready for Winter

“Why the heck didn’t I …?” That’s a question we hope you never ask yourself. Usually, it means you should have done something that would have had some bearing on your current predicament. Preparing the truck for another long, cold winter is a perfect illustration of the expression, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

With fall upon us, now is the time to get the truck prepped for winter before the snow starts flying. There’s lots to be done, especially on equipment that is past its prime. 

1. Check the Air System

Compressed air always contains moisture, and when warm, moist air hits cold steel air tanks, brass fittings, hoses, and valves, you have a recipe for trouble. Remind drivers to drain each air tank every day, especially the wet tank. It’s designed to coalesce moisture before it gets into the rest of the system.

Take steps to eliminate any kinks, restrictions, 90-degree bends, or low points from air system plumbing. Those are all points most likely to freeze in cold weather.

If the old air compressor is getting slobbery and spitting oil into the air tanks, change it or repair it before that oily water starts gumming up air lines and brake valves.

Air dryer manufacturers have specified maintenance intervals, but oil from the compressor can prematurely foul the desiccant cartridge, rendering it ineffective. Make sure the purge valve heater in the air dryer is working; otherwise, ejected moist air could freeze the valve open or prevent it from closing completely. Of course, follow the air dryer manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

Ultimately, you’re trying to keep moisture from fouling the brake valves. These valves contain tiny little passages that can easily ice up and close off partially or completely. Depending on the effectiveness of the air dryer, a significant amount of moisture could still get into the system and cause problems in these valves downstream of the air tanks. Moisture accumulated during the summer stays in the system like a time bomb, waiting for a minus-40 cold snap.

Consider switching the cable-release air tank drain cocks for the twist-open types. You can open them up completely and walk away, rather than having to hold them open. This ensures the tanks drain completely.

2. Inspect Charging and Starting Components

Winter beats up electrical systems. Lights, mirror heaters, and heater fans are always on. And then there are the inverters that power the hotel loads that keep drivers happy. All that current draw means batteries seldom get the chance to fully recharge. That means your batteries will be in a somewhat weakened state most of the winter.

Now is a good time to load-test your batteries and if necessary, replace the bad ones before they take the good ones down. 

If you need to replace a battery, consider the application. Highway trucks that run inverters when they’re shut down need batteries with high reserve capacities to operate all those electrical extras. Deep-cycle batteries will forfeit some CCA (cold cranking amps) capacity for starting, but if your charging system is good, and you’re not losing voltage and amperage to bad connections, you’ll be fine.

Trucks running locally with many starting cycles each day should stick with high-CCA batteries.

If you have the equipment, test the alternator and starter output. At the very least, visually inspect the wiring connections at the starter and alternator as well as the ground connections for signs of corrosion or deteriorating wiring. Repair or replace all questionable cables and connectors.

While you’re under the truck, inspect the cable runs to ensure they are properly bound and not rubbing on the frame or other metal parts that could rub through the insulation, which could cause a short or allow moisture to enter the cable.

If you do nothing else, clean the battery terminal posts and apply a film of dielectric grease or protectant to prevent corrosion. 

And finally, have a look at that trailer pigtail. The trailer end of that cable gets badly abused, pulled to its extremes, and is highly exposed to rain and road salt. Pull the connector apart and inspect the connectors inside. Or better still, replace it. It’s cheap insurance against a lighting or ABS violation. 

3. Check the Cab and Chassis

Since water inevitably gets into fuel tanks, let the tanks get low and then check for water. Drain off as much as you can before it has a chance to freeze in the fuel lines.

Consider replacing the fuel filters for the same reason. Put a spare fuel filter and a bottle of air-line antifreeze — with instructions on how to use them — in the jockey box in case you have a freeze-up somewhere in the wilds of Wyoming.

A Few More Small Things to Check on Trucks Before Winter

• Check the engine coolant for freeze point and rust inhibitors, and pressure-test the system for leaks. At the same time tighten all hose clamps and inspect all hoses for serviceability.
• Clean the old, dirty grease from the fifth-wheel locking mechanism. It’s already a bit stiff with road debris; cold temps will only make it worse, which can cause difficulty in hooking up and releasing.
• Check alternator mounting brackets, belts, and belt tensioners. Engine vibration often loosens things up, which allows the belts to slip on the alternator pulley. That can reduce the alternator output.
• Make sure everything in and on the cab works. Check mirror heaters, heater-defroster fan, door, and window seals for air leaks. Apply a little antifreeze lube spray in door locks. Check the exhaust system for under-cab leaks; you don’t want your drivers snuffed out by carbon monoxide while they’re sleeping with the engine running.
• Put on fresh wiper blades for winter and keep the old ones in the truck as spares.
• Inspect your tire chains for wear and damage before they are needed.

Generally speaking, cold isn’t bad for trucks. What causes trouble is temperature changes. Cold weather is no big deal when you’re ready for it.

This article appeared in the October 2022 issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.