Maintenance Q&A – December 2023/January 2024
Winter officially begins Dec. 21, which means there’s no time to waste in terms of preparation.
Winter temperatures bring a host of maintenance concerns most regions haven’t had to worry about for a while. Let’s discuss how to prepare for the big freeze and prevent associated breakdowns.
TravelCenters of America operates a fleet of more than 1,000 service vehicles, so I can say with confidence that the No. 1 cause of roadside breakdown is tires.
Check your tire pressure daily, especially as the outside temperature drops. Temperature and pressure are related in that as one drops, the other does too. Any drop in inflation pressure greater than 10% should be inspected by an experienced tire technician.
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires a minimum tread depth of 4/32 of an inch for steer tires and 2/32 of an inch for drive and trailer tires. But don’t wait until your tires are at these tread depths to replace them. By that point, tire performance already has declined.
It’s also vital to ensure the fuel and air systems are ready for winter, as they’re the ones most negatively impacted by moisture. Water-contaminated fuel can cause power loss, plugged filters, corrosion to fuel system components and injector wear. To add to the problem, microbial growth is much more likely when excessive water is present in diesel fuel. This is another opportunity for fuel-related performance issues.
When prepping the fuel system for winter, start with an inspection. Water always settles at the bottom, and microbial growth occurs where the water meets the fuel. A fuel tank easily can be inspected for this condition with a flashlight.
If microbial growth is present, act on it quickly. Have the fuel tank drained and a tank sweep performed using fuel filtering equipment. For bad infestations, also use a reputable biocide to remove any residual microbial growth. By following these steps and adhering to the maintenance schedule for fuel filters, you can stave off fuel-related winter breakdowns.
The air system also is sensitive to water, especially in freezing temperatures. Water causes oxidation that leads to premature failure of metal parts. And when water changes to ice, it expands. This expansion further hastens the pace at which air system components fail. To prevent this, truck manufacturers have installed an air dryer. But for this component to do its job, it must be properly maintained. The desiccant filter, which removes moisture and contaminants from the compressed air, should be changed according to the manufacturer’s schedule. If you are uncertain of what your interval is, I typically urge owners and operators to replace the desiccant filter once a year, right before winter.
Last but certainly not least is the electrical system. Batteries are under much more strain during the winter months due to the extended time required to crank a truck, as well as the additional time lights are on as daylight hours decrease. And batteries charge more slowly in the winter. For these reasons, it is essential to test the starting and charging systems before cold weather hits.
The equipment used for this testing has evolved in the past five years. Modern equipment not only notifies vehicle owners of a failed component but also tests for a component’s remaining life span. If your repair facility is still using old legacy equipment like load testers, you’re missing out on this predictive functionality of modern equipment.
The above-mentioned vehicle components are especially susceptible to cold weather, but during the winterization process, don’t forget to also inspect the cooling system, the belt drive system and the HVAC system, to name a few. If you need help with any of these maintenance services, let TA Truck Service get you rolling into winter. TA
Daniel Mustafa is the director of technical service for Travel Centers of America and Petro Stopping Centers. His role entails the research, development and implementation of truck repair services and programs. He also oversees the truck service technical support center.
He has worked in the vehicle service industry for 15-plus years and holds ASE Master Certification status in medium/heavy truck, automobile and school bus segments. He also holds ASE L1 and L2 advanced level specialist certifications and various original equipment manufacturer certifications.