Winter driving can be a challenge even for seasoned truckers. Snow, sleet, and haze may affect visibility, while the colder temperature may affect crucial truck components, including the battery, radiator, hoses, belts, fuel filter, and cooling system. The road itself may also present issues, including a slick surface, longer brake times, and a higher possibility of losing control of your vehicle. 

Many drivers experience these winter driving challenges faced by truckers each year, and without proper preparation, such conditions can take a toll on both safety and vehicle performance.

To help drivers and fleets cope with winter driving challenges and maximize uptime during harsh winter weather, here are five helpful winter preparedness tips:

1. Check your batteries. 

A healthy battery must be free from any forms of corrosion on its terminals and has enough power to start the vehicle. It must also be securely and safely mounted with clean connections and must not look bloated or swollen as if it has put on some winter weight. If you notice any signs of bloating and corrosion or if your battery no longer powers the vehicle like it used to, then you’d better get a replacement. 

Cold winters are especially notorious for battery failure. They do not only increase the internal resistance of the batteries, but they also lower their overall capacity. According to the American Automobile Association, automotive battery power drops nearly 35% at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 60% at zero degrees. This sudden drop in power could leave your drivers stranded when the ice-cold battery does not have enough juice to start the engine. 

Don’t let this happen to any of your drivers. Frequent battery maintenance is key to a healthy and long-lasting battery. Have the battery load tested, check the tire pressure and tread depth, and ensure the battery terminals are not corroded.

Also, find out how old your battery is. Most batteries last three to five years before needing replacement. If yours is already nearing the end of its service life, replace it as soon as possible—an old, cold battery can cause plenty of headaches once winter hits. To avoid unexpected breakdowns or downtime, keep an eye on common truck part issues that arise in winter, many of which start with a neglected battery or electrical system. 

2. Inspect your cooling system. 

Yes, there’s a need to maintain the cooling system even in cold weather. And with the high heat load on today’s engine, this need has never been more pressing. Crucial components such as the radiator, belts, radiator hoses, and cooling fan must be thoroughly checked for potential failures. 

During the cold winter months, the cooling system prevents the engine and other components from seizing up. You may actually think of it as the engine’s temperature regulation system. It reduces the jolt as the engine transitions from heating up when driving to cooling quickly once the engine is shut off. With this crucial function, each of its parts needs to be in excellent running condition at all times to ensure the engine keeps running dependably.

But aside from inspecting and replacing old or worn-out cooling system components, checking the coolant to see if it’s at the optimum freeze point is also highly recommended. It is used mainly to cool the truck’s engine and protect it from freezing in cold weather. Many radiator coolants already come premixed with water. But during the winter, you may have to use a slightly different coolant-to-water ratio for better engine performance.

3. Avoid cold soaks. 

Cold soaks happen when trucks are left sitting still outside for more than a day. The longer you don’t start your vehicle during the winter months, the more likely it is for the engine fluids and the engine block’s steel to drop to low ambient temperatures. So, make sure to get the engine started daily and drive it off. 

However, some drivers are doing it all wrong. Getting the engine started at the first turn of the key, throwing it into gear, and taking off just like they used to in the middle of summer must be avoided at all times. The proper thing to do is start the engine and let it run for at least 30 seconds. After that, you may slow drive off your vehicle and continue driving at a leisurely pace for about five minutes. This allows the engine oils and other fluids to warm up to normal operating temperatures, so your truck performs efficiently.

Along with avoiding cold soaks, you can also benefit from adopting smart winter driving techniques for long-haul routes—habits that help you and your truck stay safe during long hours on icy or snow-covered roads.

4. Plug in the engine block heater. 

The engine block heater is a device used to warm the engine and fluids before starting a vehicle. When the temperature drops below freezing, the engine can struggle to get moving without some help. And this is where the engine block heater comes into play. 

As a general rule of thumb, drivers must plug in the engine block heater when the weather reaches -15 degrees Celsius. But for those driving diesel trucks, this should be done even before the temperature drops that low or when the temperature feels warm. Take note that the longer a truck sits still, the more important it is to plug the engine block heater in. 

In addition to using an engine block heater, make sure your drivers know how to stay warm and comfortable during the winter season. Proper layering, insulated gear, and cab heating strategies can all make long hours behind the wheel more bearable.

5. Prepare emergency kits. 

Emergencies can happen in any season, but the possibilities of them occurring are higher during winter. It brings snow, freezing rain, sleet, ice, and conditions that can cause truckers a variety of headaches. So, truckers must take all the necessary precautions and always keep a basic emergency kit handy. 

Whether you get a flat tire, slip off an icy road, run out of fuel, or could not get the engine started, an emergency kit can help you get back on the road safely and in no time. The cold weather can be dangerous to your health, so make sure to include these items in your kit:

• First-aid kit
• Blanket
• Hand warmer
• Flashlight
• Roadmap
• Whistle
• Gloves
• Boots
• Spare batteries

You may also load various winter travel gears to your truck, including tire chains, ice scraper or snowbrush, jumper cables, safety cones, and road flares. And since you never know how long you can get stuck in a rather sticky situation during winter, you may as well include snacks, like energy bars, water bottles, and extra clothing in your kit. 

For those building or upgrading their emergency supplies, make sure to include winter essentials for truck drivers to avoid leaving out something crucial. If you haven’t got an emergency kit for your truck, you can always order one here at FinditParts. We carry a wide selection of emergency kits, cooling system parts, and other replacement components needed to winterize your truck.