Is Your Commercial Truck Winter Ready?
Winter driving conditions are right around the corner, which isn’t exactly good news for commercial truck drivers and fleet managers in the GTA. Winter can really take a toll on your truck, and if you go into winter unprepared, no matter if you’re driving in the urban area or hauling goods down the 401, make sure your truck is winter ready before the snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures come calling.
Winter Ready Checklist:
Battery
The most common reason for commercial trucks breaking down in winter is a dead or weak battery. Cold winter temperatures tend to drain batteries quickly, and diesel engines need a good, strong battery to start. Batteries tend to last two or three years, so if your battery is dated, you may want to consider replacing it before the sub-zero temperatures arrive.
“...it is under the high starting load they face in cold weather that batteries typically fail.” -TruckingInfo.com
Windshield and Wipers
Your windshield is an underappreciated part of your truck. It’s responsible for providing you a clear view of the road while still being durable enough to protect you in all weather and driving conditions. Chips and cracks can grow and turn into major problems if you’re ever in a collision, even if they seem small and unimportant. Check your windshield for any anomalies and if you see anything, be sure to have it checked out by trusted professionals like our service team.
Tire Condition
It’s Canada, winter tires are just a smart idea when you really never know what mother nature is going to send your way. When the snow is falling and ice covers the roads, you’re going to want a tire that is made of special rubber compounds and designed with tread patterns that prevent sliding on ice and frozen roads.
Even if you already have winter tires on your commercial truck, what condition are they in? Having a prominent tread is important. If your tires are balding, you’re simply not going to have the traction you need in the worst of winter driving conditions.
“All-weather tires may not offer adequate traction if your vehicle is operated in cold conditions with lots of snow and ice. Consider outfitting your fleet with winter tires as they offer a better grip in icy conditions and even on cold, dry roads.” - FleetClean.ca
Emergency Kit
If you don’t already have one tucked away in your truck, it’s important to have an emergency kit handy. Whether you’re helping someone else out on the wide of the road, breakdown yourself, or even slide into a snowbank, having some key items with you can really help. Just a few of the items in include in your emergency kit are: road flares, fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, first aid kit, water, solar blanket, jumper cables, flashlight, and blankets.
Beyond these winter ready suggestions, it’s a good idea to have your truck’s engine inspected and tuned before the cold weather hits. The last thing you want is to break down when is -32 ℃ with the windchill. Our service department is trusted by companies and individual contractors all over the GTA, so don’t delay and book a service appointment with Somerville Hino.
