Tips for preventing downtime in the Winter!
UpTime Tech Tips
Tips for preventing downtime in the winter.
Service your vehicles brake system prior to winters arrival.
- Replace the cartridge in your air drier annually; this will reduce the chance of water and oil contamination that will prevent your vehicle from building air or having valves or lines frozen from water accumulation in freezing weather.
- Make it a daily habit to drain out your air tanks to remove any water or oil accumulation. No air drier is 100% effective in removing all air or water from the air system although they have increased in efficiency in recent years draining the air tanks is still critical in preventing issues in freezing temperatures.
- Test the heater in your air drier to insure it is receiving power. This is test is performed at the air drier heater connection with the key on and you can use a basic test light or multi meter to insure your heater is receiving power. This simple test can save many hours trying to thaw out a frozen air drier! Always consult the appropriate service manual for the manufactures air drier your vehicle is equipped with and observe all safety precautions!
- Inspect the supply line from the air compressor to the air drier to insure that you have no low spots that will allow water to accumulate and freeze causing an air system to no build air. This air line should run down hill to permit all moisture to reach the air drier were it can be removed.
Inspect your fuel tanks for any water accumulation when they are low as this water can freeze and be pulled into your suction lines causing your engine to starve for fuel and shut off. Drain off any accumulation of water when your fuel tanks are low on fuel. The new ultra low diesel fuel formulations are more susceptible to having a higher percentage of water in them.
- Purchase quality fuel and in severely low temperatures treat the fuel with an additive that prevents waxing.
- Fill your fuel tanks at the end of the day before parking it will prevent condensation from forming water in your tanks.
- Check that any 12 volt fuel heaters are functioning if your vehicle is equipped.
- Drain fuel water separators more frequently to reduce the chance of your filters icing up in low temperatures.
- Insure your vent hoses are intact and the opening is not plugged or obstructed.
Inspect your batteries and charging system.
- Remove your battery connections and clean them and while you have your battery pack disconnected now is the time to load test your batteries to insure that they will perform throughout the winter months.
- Install the battery connections and apply a quality corrosion preventative coating to the connections.
- Inspect the cabling going to your starter and alternator looking for loose connections and corrosion, also inspect all grounds for proper connections.
Inspect your HVAC system.
- Check your cabin filter to insure it is not plugged with dirt, leaves and debris.
- Insure that all of your positions work for defrost, floor and panel vents.
- Check blower motor for operation on all speed and there is no abnormal noise during operation.
As always observe all safety guidelines while performing any maintenance or inspection procedures.
If needed we have three service facilities operating extended hours and Saturday hours if you need us to perform any services or winterizations procedures to keep you operating in the cold winter months. Please contact the nearest Hill International Trucks service department to schedule an appointment.