Winter Weather Tips From Our Truck Care Team

The autumn leaves are nearly gone and wintery roads have started to make an appearance. As you hit the road this winter, keep in mind these tips from Pilot Flying J Truck Care.

Top 5 must-check items from our truck care team:

Windshield Ready:

Rain, sleet or snow, your wiper blades and windshield should be able to take on any weather conditions, while keeping you safe during your travels.

1. 1. Check your wiper blades, verify that the wiper motor is fully functional and check that the washer fluid is topped off.
   2. Don’t waste time waiting for your windshield to defrost. By adding anti-frost and anti-fog treatments, you can hit the road and be on your way.

Battery Check:

Don’t be left out in the cold with a bad battery.

1. 1. Check all batteries to ensure proper levels and replace any that are low.

Engine Care:

Be sure your engine and radiator are ready to withstand winter temperatures.

1. 1. Test the anti-freeze in your radiator and make sure it’s full to ensure water in your radiator and engine doesn’t freeze.
   2. Add a fuel supplement to prevent gelling and fuel-filter icing.
   3. If it’s below 30 degrees and your truck won’t start, a fuel supplement like Diesel 9-1-1 will re-liquefy gelled fuel and de-ice frozen fuel-filters.

Air System:

Moisture and cold temperatures don’t bode well for a truck’s air system.

1. 1. Prevent air system freeze-ups by draining moisture from the air tanks and replacing the air dryer cartridge.
   2. Use pure methanol alcohol in alcohol evaporators to prevent freeze-ups in the air brake system.
   3. Check the defroster and heater to make sure they are in working order.

Tires and Brakes:

Proper tire and brake care is essential for safe winter driving.

1. 1. Inspect tires to make sure they have deep lugs and are properly inflated.
   2. Extend the life of your tires by inflating, inspecting and checking valve stem caps, washing the tires and wheels, and rotating and balancing the tires on a routine basis.
   3. Check tire chains to be sure they are in working order and ready for when you need them.
   4. Winterize brake lines and brake fluid.
   5. Keep fuel tanks topped off to provide extra weight over the tires to aid with traction on slick wintery roads

Our team of certified technicians are equipped and ready to help prep your truck for winter.

Stop at any of our Truck Care Service Centers to take advantage of promotions in November and December for a free mid-trip inspection, valued at $50, and a free tire check and inflation.

When you need to stock up on cold weather products our travel centers have the gear you need: coolant, tires, tire chains, additives, winter wiper blades and fuel-water filter separators. To find a Truck Care location near you, or to quickly call for assistance, download the Pilot Flying J app today. For more information about our Truck Care services, call (888) 997- 1034 or visit https://pilotflyingj.com/truck-care/.

Check out some of the tips our truck care team provided in Overdrive’s article about prepping your truck for winter.