Trucks Hate WinterTire pressures may drop, seals become less supple, things begin to leak, and any water in the vehicle’s fluids will react. Mechanical systems like linkages and hinges that worked great all summer long tend to become finicky in the cold. Most of us are familiar with the basics: things begin to rust, heating systems fail to warm up the truck’s cab, busted windshield wiper blades ruin your windshield, and you go out to your truck to find two dead batteries that won’t start your engine. J&M; recommends you do the following. Fluid Transfusion Time your oil changes right: avoid doing it during the coldest part of the winter. Now is also a good time to switch all your fluids (engine, power steering, differential, transfer case, and transmission) over to synthetics because they flow better at cold temperatures. This means your bearings and other contact surfaces will get protection sooner (compared to conventional lubricants) when it’s cold out. While your at it, it's also a good idea to check or change your coolant and make sure your thermostat and heater core are flowing properly. Be sure to test the engine’s block heaters, as sometimes the electrical cord to the heater gets damaged during the hot summer months. Leak InspectionIf your vehicle has a leak or rattle, make sure to take care of the problem before the weather gets too cold. When winter comes, everything takes longer because you’ve got to wait for things to thaw out and then you need to clean the area before you can even start working. If you don’t take care of your truck’s small problems now, be prepared to have salt-flavored grit dripping in your face when you’re solving a much bigger problem. If you suspect a bad fuel injector, now is the time to replace it because winter usually means a lot of engine idling time to keep the truck warm. Idling is one of the hardest tasks we put to our diesels since injection timing is critical during the slow engine speeds. Hydraulic ChecksCheck your brake pads in the fall, and do the brake job then,instead of during the winter. This is also a good time to change your brake fluid so you can get all the air, dirt, and moisture out of the system. This will save you money later on since your brake cylinders and calipers will last much longer. Also, the first time it snows, go into a controlled skid and make sure your brake system is applying enough pressure to the front and rear tires. If you have a manual transmission system, keep your helper around just a little longer so you can flush this system, too. This procedure will make your clutch and internal transmission parts last longer because it will ensure the pressure plate gets fully disengaged. Electrical DemandA truck’s batteries can last from two to six years, depending on usage, temperature, and humidity. If your battery is starting to lose its power, check the battery cables and replace them if necessary. If that’s not it, get your alternator tested to make sure it’s putting out the right amount of power. Remember , it's a good idea to replace both batteries at the same time, if that’s what’s needed. It’s important to keep the battery terminals clean and coated with an electrical corrosion inhibitor since the connections expand and contract during extreme temperature changes. A battery blanket will help keep the battery temperatures more stable. A battery tender that keeps a small electrical charge on the battery is a good thing to plug in when you plug in your coolant heater. Drive SmarterChange your driving patterns to adapt to the colder weather. Extremely cold and molasses-like fluids slow the internal workings of all your truck’s parts. Minimize the effects by letting your truck warm up slowly and combining trips. Avoid turning the steering wheel until the power steering fluid warms up , this helps to avoid a burst or leaking hose. VisibilityTo increase your visibility, change your windshield wipers. You can also clean your headlights with a polishing kit so the snow and slush won’t be able to stick as easy and they’ll shine brighter. Make sure your window defrosters and lights are working, and be prepared for the extra electrical power they’ll require since they’ll both be on longer than they were in the summer. Front-EndPut fresh grease into all the fittings on your truck. If you have serviceable front bearings, re-pack them now. If you have unit bearings, inspect them for play or squeaks. How do you know if your truck has unit bearings? All independent-front-suspension 4x4 GM trucks, all Ford Super Dutys, and all ’94-and-newer Dodges have unit bearings. Check your tie rods and U-joints for play. Clean, Inspect, and Treat Your TruckWash your truck and then use a clay bar on the paint to get it as smooth and clean as possible. After that, apply a wax to the surface. This will make the snow and road chemicals come off easier during the winter season. The Best Time To Buy New TiresNow is the time to get a new set of tires.
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