Winter Woes: How to Winterize a Diesel Truck

The sudden, dramatic weather changes characteristic of winter months always present unusual challenges. Suddenly you’re dealing with slippery surfaces, frigid winds, and gray skies. But you’re not the only one feeling the chill. Automobiles of all kinds have to be adjusted to drastically different conditions that affect how they operate and perform. Ford diesel truck dealers recommend diesel engine trucks for those who want a long-lasting vehicle that performs well and churns out reliable power–provided that drivers are willing to handle the upkeep.

Not that diesel trucks are higher-maintenance than other vehicles; they just require unique maintenance. As you unpack your winter coats and stock up on cold-weather supplies, it’s important to prepare your diesel truck for winter if you expect to rely on it through these long, cold months. Read on to learn how winter affects your diesel truck engine, what can go wrong if you’re careless this winter, and what you can do to protect a diesel truck.

Why Diesel Trucks Hate the Winter

Many diesel trucks are designed to help keep you safe on winter roads. For example, trucks like the Ford Super Duty have a turbocharged engine that can power you across snowy roads. Other available features like all-terrain driving modes and four-wheel/all-wheel drive improve handling for safer driving in hazardous winter conditions.

But winter is as tough on your truck as it is on you. Your tires lose air pressure when at rest, only for the pressure to bounce back up when the tires warm up on the road. Also, fluids that protect your engine or even help it run can be cooled into thicker, more viscous substances that aren’t fluid enough to actually do their job. And that doesn’t even cover the ways in which seals, air intake, wiper blades, the engine battery, and the vehicle’s frame all change when temperatures plummet and road conditions become slick and wet.

Your diesel engine, though, may be the most delicate part of the entire machine. All automobile engines, including traditional gas ones, have to adjust to winter conditions, but diesel engines require a specific level of care. Sure, diesel truck engines are famously long-lasting and durable, but they require daily care and occasional maintenance to ensure their long lifespan.

Ford truck engineers have tried their hardest to craft the perfect, weather-proof diesel engine, but there’s just no keeping up with Mother Nature. So it may fall on you to prepare your diesel truck for winter conditions. These are the steps that you can take to prevent diesel engine wear during the winter, starting with a pre-winter inspection.

Late Fall Fluid Change

Once it’s time to put away the Thanksgiving leftovers, it’s also time to start winterizing your diesel truck. A great first step is to conduct an oil change. If you’re precise with your timing, you can avoid having to change your oil during the coldest months of the year. This is ideal because tasks like draining bad oil are more difficult when the engine is cold. Also, you can avoid driving with dirtier, depleted oil running through your engine – a problem that’s even more hazardous in the winter.

You don’t just need to change your engine oil, however. The best thing for a diesel engine is to change all of your fluids, including the power steering, differential, transfer case, and transmission fluids. For the best results, choose synthetic fluids, which are less responsive to cold temperatures and therefore more consistently reliable in winter. Top off your windshield wiper fluid while you’re at it. Your truck is going to need an ample supply of fluids to perform properly and safeguard the engine, even if you’re mindful enough to warm up the engine before putting your truck in drive.

Also, don’t forget to switch to a winter-friendly diesel. Winter diesel has little to no paraffin wax in it, which is important when the weather gets cold. Paraffin wax, found in regular diesel, can solidify and clog up the engine when the weather gets around freezing. This solid wax build-up can cause the engine to work poorly or even seize up altogether, so it is important to winterize your fuel using a winter-specific diesel.

Pre-Winter Inspection

Call your local Ford dealership to request pre-winter maintenance on your diesel truck. Feel free to offer a list of demands, including a brake check, to ensure your truck is ready for winter’s worst behavior. Brake cylinders and calipers are vulnerable in the winter, especially as you navigate slippery roads. Check your brake pads and fluids and have brake fluid cleared of pollutants and moisture if necessary.

It’s also a good idea to have all the fittings well-greased. Ask a mechanic to pack the front bearings and check the unit bearings, which are common on diesel trucks, for squeaking or other noises. Then, have all of your lights tested. Have the mechanic check your heater and window defrosters, too. You’re definitely going to need these components in top shape.

Request a battery inspection as well. Usage, temperature, and humidity all affect your battery’s lifespan, so people who live in cold-winter climates tend to sear through their batteries at a faster rate. Check the battery cables, have the alternator tested, have the terminals coated in a corrosion inhibitor to reduce buildup, invest in battery warmers, and replace the batteries if they’re close to empty. Many diesel engines have two batteries; ideally, you should change both at the same time for an even power output. The last thing you’ll want is to be stranded without power on a frigid day, so these steps help ensure a safe winter.

Finally, have your tires inspected for good tread. It may be a good idea to switch out mud tires or other very wide tires, which are actually not ideal for winter driving conditions. Have your tires rotated and filled if you aren’t getting them changed.

Winter Driving and Storage Tips

How you treat your diesel truck on a daily basis can influence its performance, safety, and longevity. Your habits are of particular influence in the winter. Adjust your driving and storage habits in the following ways:

• Let your truck warm up slowly before operating.
• Shelter your truck in a heated garage if possible. If you must park outdoors, park near a wall and drape your truck in a protective tarp.
• Buy an engine block heater and plan a reliable power source – about 110 volts – to help warm up your engine quickly and safely on the coldest days.
• Check your battery terminals regularly and safely remove corrosion buildup.
• Check your wipers regularly and change them as soon as you notice reduced performance/visibility.
• Wash your truck often and use a clay bar to clean and protect the paint.
• Polish your headlights when you wash your truck.
• Combine trips and reduce unnecessary driving. Understand that every trip on a snowy or icy road is a risk to the driver, passengers, and truck itself.

Fast Repairs

If you notice a problem with your truck, take care of it immediately. Small problems can lead to big repairs if left unattended in the winter. So whether you notice a difference in truck performance, see a superficial problem, or notice a signal light on your dashboard, visit your local Ford dealership for quick diagnostics and repairs.

Common problems that many diesel truck drivers encounter in winter include leaks and fuel injector failure. Also, bare or exposed metal in the undercarriage can rust easily in the winter, so these spots may need a touch-up. Problems like a wobbly steering wheel or trouble with handling need to be addressed right away because they may increase your chances of being in an accident in a winter storm.

Trust in DePaula Ford

Winterizing a diesel truck is a long laundry list of items. It can be easy to get overwhelmed at the prospect that you’ll need to accomplish these tasks every single year. To sum up, though, there are only two major things that you need to do. First, take your truck to your local Ford dealership for all winter inspections, maintenance, and repairs. Then just keep an eye on the “Winter Driving and Storage” bullet list as you proceed through the winter. Keep this list on your smartphone or hung up in your home so you can keep it in mind throughout the season.

When you need comprehensive diesel truck services, trust in DePaula Ford’s expert service center. Are you curious about the benefits of driving a diesel truck or the best model for your winter transportation and towing needs? Visit us online or stop by our dealership to learn more about our vast inventory of diesel trucks, like the new Ford SuperDuty or the always popular F-series trucks.