Winter weather is unpredictable and can wreak disaster on driving conditions, such as icy roads, black ice, sleet, freezing rain, snow, and poor road visibility. However, when the weather becomes terrible, business continues.
When you work as a commercial truck driver, the coming winter brings a new set of obstacles on the road. Even if your route brings you through more southern regions, you may encounter ice or snow on the job.
Preparing your commercial vehicle or truck for winter is essential to ensure safe and trouble-free operations during the cold months. It’s crucial to focus on winterizing your vehicle to prevent breakdowns and accidents in harsh weather conditions.
Regular maintenance and truck repair should be part of your preparation routine to keep your vehicle in top shape for the challenges that winter can bring.
From routine maintenance to having the proper equipment on hand, use these tips to make your own winter driving strategy or to educate your employees about how to be safe on the roads during inclement weather.
Table of Contents
11 Top Tips to Prepare Your Commercial Vehicle For Winter Use
Here are some tips to help prepare your commercial vehicle for use:
1. Conduct Dielectric Testing
Insulation on components of an aerial vehicle is subjected to dielectric testing to determine how well it can withstand voltage by measuring its dielectric breakdown. Dielectric testing for bucket trucks is also known as voltage withstand ability testing.
The electrical insulating strength of the is verified using dielectric testing.
- Bucket
- FRP extensions on digger derricks
- Tool circuits
- Liners
- FRP lower and upper booms
- Upper control system
2. Inspect Your Vehicle
Preparing your trucks or vehicles for winter is critical to avoid significant problems. Check the engine oil, antifreeze levels, and tire pressure before hitting the road. You might also hire a mechanic to evaluate your vehicles to ensure they are ready for challenging winter conditions and wear and tear. Remember to clear snow and ice off your truck’s roof. It’s the rule!
3. Ensure Tires Are Ready
Tires are essential for preparing your commercial vehicle or truck for winter travel. Underinflated or worn tires will not provide the traction required to drive safely in winter conditions. Furthermore, bad tires might reduce your gas economy, costing you extra money on the road.
Inspect the tread and pressure on your tires before each journey to ensure they’re in good operating order.
4. Clean All Lights
One of the most crucial winter driving advice is: Always keep the taillights, brake lights, headlights, and signal lights of your vehicle clean and clear of snow, slush, or dirt.
Moreover, drivers should inspect their lights before each turn and repeat the process if they are pulled over on the side of the highway during low-visibility circumstances such as snowfall, heavy rain, or thick fog.
5. Wear Right Footwear
Cold and wet feet may make anybody cranky, but they can pose a severe safety danger to drivers in the thick of winter. Wear appropriate winter footwear whether driving on the highway or in the city.
This will provide correct footing and prevent slip-and-fall accidents when doing the vehicle inspection, getting in and out of the vehicle, and in the event of a roadside emergency.
6. Pay Attention to the Battery
In cold conditions, vehicle batteries have more difficulty charging and remaining charged. When exposed to colder conditions, your battery is more likely to drain quickly. Dead batteries are one of the most prevalent reasons for vehicle failures during the winter.
7. Keep a Full Fuel Tank
Winter weather may cause unexpected and unanticipated delays on the road. Running out of gas on the road is a simple mistake that may be avoided if the vehicle’s fuel gauge is maintained above the empty line. We suggest that commercial vehicle gas tanks be kept at least half-filled.
8. Use Vehicle Tracking Software
Knowing where your drivers and trucks are, especially during a winter storm, may assist in keeping them safe. GPS tracking software like CameraMatics provides visibility when drivers are stranded in a storm or need assistance. It also allows fleet managers to observe where drivers encounter delays, which they can transmit to waiting customers.
9. Bring an Emergency Kit
Keeping an emergency kit prepared in your business trucks or vehicles might make all the difference in an emergency. We suggest including the following things in your emergency kit:
- Headlight or flashlight
- Cell phone charger
- Shovel
- Power bank portable charger
- Jumper cables
- Matches and tealight candles
- Extra clothes
- Extra batteries
- Washer fluid
- Traction mats
- High visibility jacket
- Blanket
10. Slow Down
Winter driving conditions include a lot of ice and snow on the roadways. Drivers must slow down and modify their speed appropriately in these hazardous situations. This often entails driving at (or below) the official speed limit.
On winter roads, drivers should avoid using cruise control. Cruise control disconnects the driver from the road, making it impossible to detect when the tires slide and skid.
11. Stay Alert
Maintaining attention and alertness when operating a commercial vehicle in the winter is critical. This includes driving with both hands on the wheel, keeping your eyes ahead and scanning the road and mirrors often, and only driving when you are well-rested and sober.
Eating, tiredness, and using a mobile phone while driving are all legal forms of distracted driving. Ensure that these unsafe habits are handled in your company’s driving policy to keep your staff safe.
Conclusion
Winterizing your commercial vehicle or truck is important to running a successful company. Taking the time to check tires and brakes, inspecting thoroughly, using tracking software, and using high-quality fuel are all crucial procedures that should be noticed. By following these tips, you can secure the safety of your workers and vehicles while preventing expensive repairs in the future.
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