1. Truck won't start
This is a problem almost every truck driver encounters in winter, usually occurring when the vehicle has been parked overnight or hasn't been driven for a long time.
Solutions: ① First, use the engine preheating function to slowly start the vehicle several times. Do not turn the crankshaft all the way up immediately. Allow 1-3 minutes between each start. Once the engine warms up, it should start successfully. ② Check if the battery is low on charge or has insufficient voltage. Low temperatures reduce battery capacity and increase power consumption, so remember to check and maintain it regularly. ③ Antifreeze is essential. Do not substitute it with water or alcohol, or mix different types of antifreeze.
2.The fuel tank is frozen and the diesel fuel is waxy.
Diesel fuel contains a waxy component with a relatively high pour point. Therefore, it's prone to waxing in cold weather, which can also prevent vehicles from starting.
Solutions: ① Choose a fuel tank equipped with a heating system or install a fuel heating system; ② Add a pour point depressant to the fuel tank to lower the pour point and defrost the fuel; ③ Switch to a lower-octane diesel fuel suitable for the local temperature; ④ Install a small fuel tank or use a dual-chamber fuel tank. Using a smaller tank with lower-octane diesel fuel can save costs.
3.The handbrake cannot be released
In winter, it's common to find the handbrake stuck when starting the vehicle in the morning or evening. This is mostly due to frozen water in the air lines, preventing proper air pressure distribution. There are two scenarios: the main unit or the trailer is frozen.
Solutions:① Turn on the dryer preheating switch before starting the vehicle. Regularly check the dryer's functionality and replace it if necessary.
② If the main unit is frozen, pour some hot water onto the four-way valve.
③ If the trailer is frozen, first scald the three-way valve with hot water, then disassemble and clean it.
4.Urea is frozen
Like diesel fuel, urea also has a freezing point, typically freezing below -11°C. Like water, it expands when frozen. Therefore, when adding urea in winter, do not overfill the tank to prevent it from freezing and bursting.
Solutions: ① Before starting the vehicle, preheat it for a while to activate the heating device in the urea system and defrost the urea. Similarly, before parking, wait two or three minutes to allow the urea solution to drain completely before turning off the engine to prevent the lines from freezing and cracking; ② Add a vehicle-grade urea modifier to lower the freezing point; ③ Pour hot water onto the urea tank, tighten the cap, and be careful not to let water flow into the urea tank.
5.High-speed to low-speed conversion is difficult
In cold weather, the transmission fluid viscosity increases, making gear rotation difficult and creating resistance in the air passage of the shift valve. Blockages in the air passage, or the presence of water or rust that has frozen, can all cause difficulty or even prevent the vehicle from shifting between high and low speeds.
Solutions:① Start the vehicle and allow it to warm up for a while or drive a short distance; this should restore normal operation.
② Remove the vent hole of the high/low gear H valve, clean out the sludge, and then reinstall it.
③ Pour hot water over the shift valve rubber ring.
④ Replace the air hose with a new one.
6.The heater isn't hot and doesn't blow any air.
A heater is essential for winter driving; only by adjusting the car's interior temperature to a comfortable level can driving be more pleasant. However, during use, problems often arise where the heater blows cold air or doesn't blow any air at all.
Solutions:① Check if the engine coolant temperature is low; insufficient temperature will result in insufficient airflow.
② The heater core may be clogged; it needs to be removed, cleaned, or replaced.
③ Insufficient coolant reduces heat exchange efficiency; add coolant as needed.
④ A dirty air filter may cause minimal or no airflow; replace the cabin air filter.
7.Tire slippage
Winter road conditions are poor, and tires are very sensitive to temperature. In low temperatures, tires easily harden and become brittle, reducing friction. Combined with the long braking distance of trucks, even a slight miscalculation can lead to rear-end collisions, rollovers, and other accidents. Therefore, extra attention must be paid to the problem of truck tire slippage in winter.
Solutions: ① Replace tires with severely worn treads promptly. Before each trip, remove stones from the treads, check tire pressure and wear, and always remember to drive cautiously and safely. ② Install snow chains on icy and snowy roads, and limit speeds to no more than 50 km/h. Remove snow chains promptly after exiting icy or snowy areas to protect tires and save fuel.
8.The windshield wipers are frozen
Windshield wipers are crucial in rainy and snowy weather. However, when temperatures are too low, wipers can freeze after a vehicle has been parked overnight or for an extended period. In this case, directly pouring water on them or forcibly starting the vehicle is not advisable.
Solutions: ① Make it a habit to raise the wipers before parking to prevent them from freezing; ② Use high-quality wipers to prevent cracking or breakage in low temperatures; ③ Turn on the car's heater; after a while, the ice on the windshield will melt, thawing the wipers; ④ Use a dedicated automotive ice scraper to remove the surface ice.
