Driver's Guide to Winter Best Practices
When operating a commercial truck in the winter months, it is essential to adhere to a set of best practices to ensure safe and efficient driving.
We've compiled a list of winter driving tips, important reminders and a starting procedure checklist below. You can also download a PDF version of this content here to share and distribute as well. By adhering to these essential winter driving best practices, commercial truck operators can help ensure the safety of themselves, their cargo, and all others sharing the roads during the coldest months of the year.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS
- Avoid sharp turns and sudden braking to ensure tires provide excellent control in show and ice.
- Turn your lights on to increase your visibility
- Drive Slowly
- Do not use cruise control on snowy or icy roads.
- Anticipate your next move—give yourself plenty of time and space to turn and stop.
- Smoothly step on your truck’s brakes to reduce speed before entering turns.
- Regain control of a skid by releasing the brake and easing on the accelerator. Then turn into the skid to transfer the weight to the rear.
- Do NOT pump the brakes in ABS equipped vehicles.
- If operating in areas that allow chains, verify your chains are in good condition and ready for installation.
- After driving through ice and snow, lightly apply the brakes while the unit is moving to dry the braking components before parking.
- Do not park a vehicle at an outside dock or near an overhang if heavy snow is forecast—snow drift may build up and collapse the roof.
- Dress in warm clothes with a moisture wicking base layer, and carry extras to stave off hypothermia in the event of a breakdown.
*Familiarity with your vehicle’s driving dynamics is especially important in ice and snow. Handling will change with conditions and load weight.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Closely inspect the condition of all tires before driving.
- Verify clean operation and good condition of windshield wipers.
- Top off the windshield washer solvent tank and clean all windows.
- Purge the air system daily on trucks with air brakes.
- Remove any ice or snow buildup from steps and grab handles, to prevent slips and falls.
BLOCK HEATERS
- Should be plugged in when temperatures are below 32°F(0°C)
- Trucks not utilized should be left with the block heater plugged in to prevent cold start concerns.
DIESEL FUEL ADDITIVES
Diesel supplements should be added when temperatures drop below 32°F
NOTE: Fuel additive should be effective in all diesel fuels, including ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel containing up to 20% biodiesel.
Supplements should contain the following:
- Additives to prevent gelling in temps as low as -40⁰F (- 40⁰C)
- Additives to prevent wax plugging of filters below the fuel cloud point
- Lubricator to prevent accelerated fuel pump wear
- Additives to raise the Cetane up to 4 numbers for faster cold starts
- Additives to disperse water in the diesel fuel
*CAUTION: Products like Power Service Diesel 911, Schaeffer’s #284 Diesel Hot Line, or Amsoil Diesel Recovery Emergency Fuel Treatment are not to be used to PREVENT fuel gelling, but only after fuel has gelled.