Winterize Your Commercial Utility Vehicle

Winterizing commercial vehicle is as important as any other vehicle. The harsh winter elements can wreak havoc on any vehicle and affect performance. It can also lead to extensive damage that can be costly to repair. Read on to learn about different ways you can winterize your commercial vehicle this season.

Tips for Winterizing Your Commercial Vehicle

Here are several utility vehicle winterization tips you can implement before winter approaches.

Check Fluid Levels in Vehicle

Cold weather really affects the fluid levels in your vehicle. It is vital that you check your vehicle’s antifreeze, engine oil, brake, power, and transmission fluids. Ensure that they are at their required levels and clean as well. If possible, change your engine oil prior to the winter to help tackle the oncoming winter weather.

Keeps Fuel Lines From Becoming Frozen

The last thing you’d want to deal with is frozen fuel lines in your commercial vehicle. The best way to keep this from happening is to keep half to a full tank of gas in your vehicle during the winter. You should also have your fuel filter inspected just to make sure that it is in good working condition.

Don’t Forget About Fuel Injectors

Having clean fuel injectors can help your commercial vehicle run smoothly. It can reduce rough start-ups, and keep your engine power running nicely. Fuel injectors work like antifreeze, which means they can eliminate water from the fuel system and keep your lines from freezing during the winter months.

Inspect the Battery

Also, remember to check the battery in your commercial vehicle. Cold weather can reduce the power of the battery. The best way to prevent battery issues during the winter is by having them inspected. If you have a battery that is more than three years old, you should probably have it replaced. The battery should be correctly connected to the terminal and cables.

Check Your Tires

You really will rely on your tires a lot more during the winter months due to the unpredictable snow and ice. This can make driving on roadways dangerous. Cold weather can also reduce your tire pressure, so be sure to check the PSI in your tires every several days. Make sure that you pay attention to the tire treads and, if possible, install snow tires or winter chains.

Warm Up Vehicle

Commercial vehicles take diesel fuel, which makes it much more difficult to start during cold weather. If you are located in an area that tends to get frigid temperatures in the winter, you should consider having an electric block heater installed. This will help your engine stay warm even when it isn’t running. They also enable your vehicle to start up faster, no matter how cold it is.

Put an Emergency Kit Together

Always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. It is possible you may become stranded in the snow. To make sure you are prepared, your emergency kit should include blankets, gloves, hats, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, a snow shovel, tire chains, a radio, a cell phone charger, bottled water, snow boots, extra fuels, and road flares.