Semi-trucks are an important part of the US economy, hauling both heavy goods and large quantities of good across state lines. In addition to the amount of goods they haul, the distances which these trucks travel are also great, creating a big requirement for truck repair in Odessa, TX as the trucks are driven.
With the winter season coming, cold weather and snow bring with them a whole new set of challenges for semi-trucks and truck drivers. Decreased visibility and slippery roads give a whole new dimension of challenges for drivers and extra wear on the trucks themselves.
Keep reading to see how the winter season affects your truck health so you can better prepare before you end up scrambling for an Odessa, TX truck repair service.
Common Semi-Truck Problems During The Winter
Extreme weather brings about conditions that can cause a host of problems when you mix in worn tires, the wrong fuel, and poor maintenance. Here are four things to look out for when driving in the winter through snowy roads.
Problematic Tires
The lower temperature that comes with winter heavily impacts your tires, one of the most common causes of breakdowns on the road during the winter. When the temperature drops, air molecules slow down resulting in compressed air. This causes tires to deflate in the cold, leading to blow outs and premature tire wear.
Faulty Electrical Connections
Road salt, magnesium, and calcium chlorides are effective measures in preventing cars from slipping on icy roads. However, these chemicals can corrode your electrical connections. Common problems stemming from corrosion include faulty headlights and taillights, wire harnesses, and the main power connection from the tractor to the trailer. Anything in the truck that requires a stable power connection will suffer when these connectors corrode.
Windshield Visibility
Driving in rain, ice or snow will severely affect your visibility of the road and your surroundings. It’s important to make sure that your windshield wipers and window defroster next time you visit your Odessa truck repair.
Dangerous Roads
Snow and ice make roads slippery in the wintertime. Couple this with improperly inflated tires and the reduced traction can spell danger for any truck and even the most seasoned drivers. Slipping commonly occurs, leaving countless semi-trucks getting stuck entering on-ramps or winding up in ditches while exiting off-ramps. One should also be careful of strong winds that can blow the trailer around, being a danger to other vehicles on the road.
Winter Preventive Truck Maintenance
To help prevent breaking down in the middle of the snow, truck repair services in Odessa, TX recommend conducting preventive truck maintenance before embarking on trips during winter. These are some of the things that should be carried out when conducting maintenance.
Check battery health. Cold weather can drain batteries faster so you should check the health of your truck’s battery. Make sure it’s still strong and with sufficient charge so that it can last the trip.
Ensure proper tire inflation. As mentioned above, problems with tires are the most common this time of year. Inflate your tires to the appropriate pressure, factoring in the temperatures you can expect on the trip.
Check fuel and cooling systems. Using quality fuel additives to prevent gelling in low temperatures. Do the same with your cooling system, adding the appropriate antifreeze so nothing freezes even when the temperature drops. Lastly, check for leaks and cracks in the whole system.
Pack an emergency kit. In case anything happens on the road, breaking down in the winter is much more dangerous because of the weather. Some items to include in your winter emergency kit are:
• Spare fuel filters
• Small container of fuel
• Tire chains
• Tarp to lay on for installing chains
• Emergency flares
• Windshield De-Icer/Scraper
• Tool Kit: Screwdrivers, Pliers, Box Knife, Wrenches, Duct tape, Spare bulbs and extra fuses
• Jumper Cables
• Multi-Purpose Tool
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlights and Batteries
• Shovel
• Bottled Water
• Waterproof Gloves
Include some blankets as well and an extra layer of clothes to help keep warm while waiting for help.
Get Help Preparing For The Winter With WTX Truck Repair, LLC
Preparing a whole fleet is a sizeable task and getting some help may just improve your fleet’s efficiency. Contact a trusted truck repair in Odessa, Texas and get your trucks ready for their winter trips. Reach out to WTX Truck Repair, LCC and see how we can help you conquer winter.
