Winters in the Lower Mainland are mild compared to the rest of Canada, but that is exactly why cold snaps catch so many trucks off guard. When temperatures drop below freezing in Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford or Mission, or when your trucks head up the Coquihalla or other mountain routes, weak batteries, gelled fuel and frozen air lines start leaving trucks stranded.
Here is a practical diesel truck winter maintenance checklist to prevent cold-weather breakdowns.
1. Test Your Batteries and Charging System
Cold weather reduces battery power at the same time a cold diesel engine needs more power to crank. Batteries that were fine in summer often fail on the first frosty morning.
- Load test batteries before winter, not after they fail
- Clean and tighten battery terminals and cables
- Check that the alternator is charging properly
- Replace weak batteries as a set where your system calls for it
2. Prevent Fuel Gelling
Diesel fuel can thicken and gel in cold temperatures, clogging filters and lines and stopping the engine. To prevent it:
- Use winter-blend diesel during the cold months
- Use an anti-gel fuel additive if your trucks will see very cold temperatures
- Replace fuel filters before winter
- Drain the fuel water separator regularly, since water in fuel can freeze
- Keep tanks fuller to reduce condensation
3. Check Starting Aids
Glow plugs, intake grid heaters and block heaters make cold starts easier and reduce engine wear. Test them before winter, check block heater cords for damage and use block heaters on cold nights.
4. Protect Your DEF System
Diesel exhaust fluid freezes at about -11°C. Modern trucks have DEF tank and line heaters to deal with this, but if those heaters fail, you can end up with DEF faults and derate. Make sure DEF heaters are working, use fresh DEF and store spare DEF where it will not freeze or overheat. If you do see emissions warnings, read our guide to DPF and DEF causes of derate.
5. Keep Moisture Out of Your Air Brakes
Moisture in the air brake system can freeze in lines and valves and cause brakes to drag or not release properly.
- Service or replace the air dryer cartridge before winter
- Drain air tanks regularly, or check that automatic drain valves work
- Fix air leaks before the cold makes them worse
For more on this, see semi truck air brake problems.
6. Check the Cooling System
Test coolant protection to make sure it is rated for the temperatures your trucks will see. Inspect hoses, clamps, belts and the radiator for leaks or cracks, which often show up when temperatures change.
7. Lights, Wipers and Visibility
Short, dark, rainy days in the Lower Mainland make visibility critical. Check all truck and trailer lights, replace worn wiper blades, top up winter washer fluid and make sure defrosters and mirror heaters work.
8. Tires, Chains and Mountain Routes
Check tire tread and pressure, since pressure drops in cold weather. If your trucks travel on BC highways outside the Lower Mainland in winter, check the current BC government winter tire and chain requirements for your route and vehicle, and make sure the right chains are on board.
9. Do a Pre-Winter Inspection
The easiest way to avoid winter breakdowns is a full pre-winter inspection covering batteries, starting system, fuel system, DEF, air brakes, cooling and lights. Finding a weak battery or a leaking air line in your yard is much cheaper than finding it on the side of the highway on a freezing night.
Mobile Winter Truck Service Across Metro Vancouver
Solid Heavy Truck & Equipment Repair offers on-site mobile diesel repair and maintenance at your yard or roadside across Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Mission and all of Metro Vancouver, 7 days a week from 8 AM to 11 PM. If a truck does break down in the cold, see why mobile repair often beats towing.
Get your trucks ready for winter. Call (778) 955-3113 or request a free quote.
