As temperatures steadily drop, you may start to think about preparing your truck for the winter ahead. The cold and the wet weather come together to make operating a vehicle harder, and you want to avoid any accidents that could result from this. In this post, we give some advice on getting your truck ready for winter conditions to keep you safe on the road.
Inspect Your Tires
Rain and snow can make the ground slippery, even for a large truck. Due to this, you should inspect your tires’ treads and make sure they’re at least four millimeters, or 5/32 inches, thick. That way, you’ll know they have enough traction to keep your truck stable when the weather gets harsh. Additionally, you should measure their pressure, because the air within them will contract as the temperatures become colder. If they’re below their recommended psi amounts, fill them up so that they don’t blow out while you’re driving.
Check the Battery
Checking your battery is another step in getting your truck ready for winter conditions. The chemical reactions inside batteries slow down when they batteries are cold, so they can’t produce as much current as normal. If your truck’s battery is old (over three years) or you notice irregularities such as dimming lights, you should replace the battery before winter sets in. It can also help to open the hood and look at the battery to see whether it has any cracks or other damages.
Maximize Your View
When the rain and snow fall and the streets become foggy, you’re going to have a harder time seeing your surroundings. You might then endanger yourself, anyone riding with you, and other drivers nearby because you cannot respond to obstacles quickly enough. Therefore, you should maximize your view by cleaning your windshield and other windows and repairing them if you find any cracks. You may also switch out an old windshield wiper that’s worn-down. For days when the air is thick with fog, consider buying fog lights or replacing the old ones you already have.
