Winter is just around the corner, and with it comes snow, ice, sleet, slick rains, and heavy winds. As a truck driver, those conditions aren’t always helpful to your drive or getting your route done on time, but they are something you’ll have to face while behind the wheel.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare in advance so you can take some of those unfavorable variables out of the equation. As the seasons change, you can become better prepared by inspecting your truck, packing for winter emergencies, refreshing your knowledge of winter driving techniques, and getting used to monitoring the weather in advance of starting your routes. 

Inspecting and Preparing Your Truck for Winter

You know that it’s always a good idea to perform your essential vehicle inspections before you get on the road. You should always check your tires and air pressure, being sure you have the right amount of tread to maintain friction with the road’s surface. 

You should also check all fluid levels to ensure you have windshield washer fluid and others to avoid having to stop or refill them halfway through the route. And, of course, you should be sure your truck’s battery isn’t failing — the last thing you want is to stop and find the battery is too low to power your vehicle through a snowstorm.  

The difference between standard maintenance and winter maintenance is that you have to switch to specialized oils and antifreeze. You will also need to ensure you keep tools on hand to address poor weather conditions such as ice and snow. 

Add these tools to your vehicle’s winter-weather kit:

• Tire chains
• Window scrapers
• Snow brushes

You may also want to keep some additional items, such as heated vests or gloves, on hand in case you need to get out of your vehicle in the cold. 

Monitoring Weather and Road Conditions

Winter weather can change suddenly. One minute, you could be driving through wind and rain, but within a few miles, you could find yourself driving in snow in an icy sleet storm or a blizzard. 

Stay updated on the weather by using a weather radio or GPS alerts. You may also want to invest in apps specifically designed to track the weather and road conditions, such as:

• The Weather Channel: Apple | Google Play
• Storm Shield: Apple | Google Play
• The National Weather Service: Apple | Google Play
• AccuWeather: Apple | Google Play 
• WeatherBug: Apple | Google Play

When you see that your route is going to be affected by poor weather, you should plan accordingly. You may need to route around a storm to avoid driving on ice, or plan extra time to get around road closures. Being flexible with your schedule is key. If you are hit by bad weather while you’re on the road, you may have to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Contact your dispatcher and stay in communication with those at your final destination until you can get back on the road. 

Driving On Ice and Driving In Snow: How to Be Prepared

Winter driving is markedly different from driving in warm, dry conditions. The fall is a good time to refresh your memory on winter driving techniques, so you aren’t caught off-guard by ice and snow.

Keep in mind that you will need to adjust your safe following distance and slow down when conditions are poor. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that drivers are required to reduce speed when hazardous weather conditions arise. Additionally, if visibility is too low, you will need to pull over until it is safe to drive again. The FMCSA does make one important note: If it would be a hazard to stop where you are, you should continue until you reach a safe stopping point. 

In ice and snow, you’ll want to avoid sudden movements that could lead to your vehicle slipping, sliding, or jackknifing. You will also want to use the right braking method — using your Jake brake is not advised. Go slow, and rely on your automated braking system (ABS) combined with shifting to lower gears to maintain control. 

Finally, if you have tire chains, and if the state allows them, you may want to put them on in icy conditions. However, there are special guidelines for each state, so you will want to check them in advance. 

How To Handle Emergencies on the Road

There may come a time when you can’t continue on your route because of a snowstorm. You could even end up stranded on the side of the road because of poor visibility or large snow drifts. 

In those cases, you need to be prepared to handle this emergency situation correctly. Here are a few steps to take:

1. Contact your dispatcher and stay in contact with them about the situation.
2. Pull over to the side of the road or find a place to stop in a parking lot or rest area. 
3. Turn on your hazard lights. If you’re parked on the side of a road, use hazard lights so other vehicles have a chance of seeing you and avoiding a collision.
4. If you are stranded, you may want to place flares on the road to help rescuers find you. Otherwise, stay in your vehicle and wait for the weather to clear.
5. Try to conserve fuel. You may need to keep your truck idling to maintain your cabin’s temperature, but keep an eye on your fuel to avoid using too much unnecessarily. Remember, your truck will use around a gallon of diesel fuel per hour. 
6. Keep your phone charged. If your truck won’t start or you can’t use your truck’s communication devices, you’ll want to have your phone for backup. 

As an additional note: Most people have routes that are in suburban or urban areas, or they may be on highways where other traffic is common. However, if your vehicle breaks down in the winter and you’re in a remote area, be sure you give your location to your dispatcher and any rescuers heading your way. You can use your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location in some cases, and you can help by placing flares, turning on your hazard lights, and watching for rescuers as they approach the area.

Packing a Winter Emergency Kit

Finally, as a part of prepping for the winter, be sure you check and replenish your winter emergency kit. You should always have a standard first-aid kit on hand, but you will also want to add items such as heated blankets, solar chargers for your cell phone, extra (warm) clothing, nonperishable food, and water to your cabin. 

You may also want to add tools, including traction mats and a shovel, to your vehicle, so you can get your vehicle unstuck in the event of going off the road or getting snowed in. Don’t forget to add a flashlight and batteries in case you have to get out of your vehicle at night.

Additional items to keep on hand include jumper cables and sand or kitty litter — jumper cables can be lifesavers if your battery dies in the cold, and sand or kitty litter will give your tires better traction to get unstuck and back on the road. 

Drive With Pride 

Winter is approaching quickly, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy driving even during the snowiest days in the country. And, if something goes wrong, you’ll have the tools and know-how to get help and get back on the road.

At Pride Transport, we are here to support you on your routes, whether you’re traveling through wintery areas or have tricky mountain drives. We believe that the right training, tools, and supplies will keep you safe and make you a better driver. 

Interested in driving with us? Take a look at our hiring areas to get started as a part of our nationwide fleet.