While wintertime can be a joy to experience, working or driving in snow and ice usually isn’t. Learn how to take proper maintenance precautions and be safe, because it’s only going to get colder.
Depending on where you live, the arrival of winter can quickly trigger anxiety around the operational stability of your truck. It’s bad enough to find a sedan with a terminally cold-soaked battery in the garage - but if you’re driving a pickup located on a work site in the middle of North Dakota, the same kind of battery problem can be downright deadly.
Check out these helpful truck winterization tips to ensure your rig is protected, so you won’t get caught out when Old Man Winter comes callin’.
Trucks Are Different
It is typically believed that trucks are designed for hard use, and therefore require less climatic maintenance year-over-year. Frankly, this is entirely untrue. If anything, trucks require more attention than the average daily driver does.
To be sure, part of this has to do with suitability of purpose. Unless you own a truck in an entirely urban setting, where just going down the hill for a gallon of milk is the norm, most truck-based operations involve money-making efforts like hauling materials, equipment and people to and from largely unproven commercial sites. As a result, dependability is paramount - and when winter rolls in, durability becomes just as important.
Icy pickup truck parked in the snow
Diesel Or Gasoline
Most drivers understand that trucks create power using either blended ethanol gasoline, or diesel fuel. But how many can name the differences between the two when it comes to winterization?
Blended Gasoline
Ethanol is highly hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. If an ethanol-blended fuel absorbs too much water, phase separation can occur. When this happens, the proportion of water detaches itself from the base fuel, thereby leading to the creation of clag at the bottom of the fuel tank.
As a result - and while prepping for winter specifically - the separation concern can become more critical since cold weather tends to produce water vapor within the fuel system due to the engine’s heat cycle.
That means, if separation and vapor problems are not approached as regular maintenance tasks, then an engine can be difficult to start or fail to run at all. The trick in this event is to keep the fuel tank at least 3/4 full at all times or make sure to add a fuel stabilizer to your fuel mix as a regular part of your winter maintenance program.
Diesel
In the case of winterizing diesel, fuel characteristics change as well. Only, in this case, the trigger mechanism is based on ambient temperature.
At certain temperatures, diesel fuel begins to thicken (sometimes referred to as “gelling”), while at the same time creating non-combustible derivatives such as paraffin wax. Due to these events, diesel fuel will not flow from tank to engine easily. In some cases, it won’t flow at all.
Therefore, when prepping a diesel truck for winter, its best to add anti-gel additives to each and every tank of fuel. As a secondary helpmate, you might also add tank heat blankets to your truck in order to help keep fuel at a higher temperature than ambient.
Don't let the cold stop you in your tracks
Working The Winter Checklist
Now that we’ve set the scene, let’s take a look at some specific tips when winterizing your truck.
Body
Give your truck a deep cleaning before winter sets in. The rationale for this is simple – corrosion.
Wintertime roads are typically salted to aid traction in snowy/icy conditions. Removing road dirt and grime, then executing a solid waxing, will mitigate the effects of salting on the bodywork and ultimately limit corrosive effects.
Truckbed
In today’s market, most truck beds are covered with internal shells made of durable materials like ABS plastic to protect the metal bed itself. Most are engineered to also seal water against moisture and keep equipment and personal items dry.
When winterizing your truck, ensure that the bed shell doesn’t show any cracks or tears, otherwise road clag and moisture can gain access. If so, fill them with liquid plastic to eliminate any likely voids.
At the same time, if your truck is not currently fitted with a secure bed cover, consider adding one. Available in lifting, folding, rolling and retractable configurations, tonneau covers provide security and protection for both your truck bed and its cargo.
Truckbed Toolbox
If you use your truck for work, then it’s likely you have a bed-mounted toolbox. When gearing up for winter, give these appliances a once-over. Ensure that all gaskets and seals are flexible and pliable, while also making sure that no cuts or slices exist. If so, fill them with a product such as liquid rubber to be sure that everything seals and closes up tight.
TrailFX toolbox and Backrack headache rack in back of truck
Winches
Most 4X4 trucks employ some kind of winch to aid operators when pulling stumps, or even pull themselves out of tight places where the truck itself has gotten stuck. Ensure that cabling and mechanisms are free of rust and road clag.
Also, make sure that all mechanical lubrication points are up to date so that things turn properly when the time comes.
Windshield Glazing/Chipping
As temperatures fall, stress cracks on glass can become more critical as adjacent metal surfaces begin to contract. If you find significant chips or ‘specks’ - called glazing or crazing - on the surface of your windshield, consider applying a glass recovery product to fill the voids. If emergent cracks are significant, consider replacing the windshield entirely.
Window Gaskets
Repeated effects of low temps can cause rubberized gaskets to become brittle, chip and contract. This can affect interior heating, while also moisture to leak into the cab.
Avoid these issues by investigating external gaskets, and if damage appears, be sure to apply a proper rubber recovery product to keep rubberized materials flexible, pliable, and leak-proof.
Windshield Wipers & Washer Nozzles
Don’t be that person driving down the road with just a tiny circle of visibility scraped off the driver’s side windshield. Check your wipers before the ice storm hits, and it they’re not cleaning properly – change them out. If you can’t do the replacement yourself, stop in to your local parts provider since most operators will replace them for you.
Same rules apply for washer nozzles. This is a minor check, but one that can really save your vision in the winter. Plastic and rubber become frangible in low temps which can cause wiper nozzles to chip or break, effectively blocking the flow of washer fluid. Check this operation, and if your nozzles are blocked, try opening them by using a toothpick. If they’re completely FUBAR, change them out.
If your windshield wipers are leaving streaks when it rains, it's time to change them out. This is a clear sign that the rubber blade has worn down.
Lighting System
Ensure that you check all lighting systems for proper operation. Additionally, make sure your headlight/taillight lens are clean and produce maximum lumens. If not, clean the lenses and change out all failed bulbs.
If something else is keeping lights from illuminating properly, use a digital or OHM meter to investigate electrical connectors or the entirety of the connective harness.
Engine Compartment
This is considered to be a ‘walk-around’ check, but applies as a ‘more is better’ value. Look for any likely drips or leaks that may harbor problems, in addition to taking a hard look at everything else under the hood.
Engine Heating System
Many truck operators employ engine block heaters to keep oil flowing throughout an engine. These components are particularly useful when starting on snowy mornings. If you have one, ensure that your block heater powers up on command. If it doesn’t, either fix or replace the component.
Electrical Harnesses/Connectors
Electrical harnesses and related connectors are typically shielded, but chafing and other kinds of damage to conductors can still occur. Therefore, when winterizing your truck, it’s a good idea to take a look at all electrical conduits just to make sure that everything ‘looks’ right.
Battery System
Batteries hate cold. So, take the time to check yours by using a digital electrical or OHM meter to ensure voltages are optimized. Typically, these pesky components fail without notice, so it’ll be better to check early rather than later.
Odyssey Batteries | Weego Powerbanks | CTek Battery Chargers
Don't get caught out in the cold! Odyssey batteries will still work at temperatures well below freezing, while pocket-sized chargers and jump-starters from CTEK and Weego ensure you'll always have on-the-go power at arm's reach.
Hoses, Belts, Fittings & Vessels
Like other rubberized components, hoses and belts don’t take too kindly to the cold. Check hoses for flexibility by manipulating them by hand. If they’re not pliable enough, change them out before they split and leak. Investigate belts too, looking for potential splits and tears.
Plastic also becomes brittle when experiencing low temps. So, if you want to be really thorough, check all fittings to ensure that no cracking appears. If not, good. If so, replace the fitting before it goes south.
Fluid vessels relating to brake cylinder and/or clutch related components can also split when temperatures go low. Check them to ensure that no leakage exists.
Fuel Filter
As discussed earlier, low temps can trigger fuel separation that allows clag to be pushed through the fuel system. The point of a fuel filter is to catch sludge before it ends up in the engine proper. Check that the fuel filter is clear of junk, and if it’s not looking too good, change it out.
Fluids Check/Replace
When winterizing, ensure that all fluid levels are topped up to the MAX line. Again, it’s better to do this task when it’s sixty degrees ambient, rather than minus ten degrees. (Unless you actually enjoy a loss of feeling in all ten fingers simultaneously…)
Brakes
This is a leak test. Check for any drip or drabs on hoses, brake lines, and fittings. If you find something, change those components out, to ensure your ride will be considerably safer in the snow.
Tires/Wheels
Check to ensure that all tire pressures are optimized. This is also a good time to take a look at the condition of tire tread, while also investigating any wheel damage around the tire beads.
Exhaust System
When winterizing, ensure that no exhaust leaks exist. Bear in mind that most interior systems involve engine compartment heat. That means, if you have a leak, you may be pushing carbon monoxide into the cab. Passing out won’t help your driving, but you may just have a chance of riding in the back of an ambulance while on the way to the hospital.
Interior Heating/Defroster System
This should be self-evident, but doing a checklist task should be done regardless. Ensure that all climate controls work properly, and that heat is being passed through all vents.
Emergency Kit
In the winter, the probability of emergency action is heightened. Therefore, make sure that you have a complete car emergency kit on hand. This should be enhanced by winter gear, lighting, space blankets, and food.