Preparing for the Cold Weather ahead

Last Wednesday was the first day of Fall and now is the time to start preparing your operation for the cold weather to come. Your drivers should be mindful of what is required to keep their truck running during the coming months.

Fuel additives should be added anytime the ambient temperature is below 32F to help prevent jelling. Power Service and Penray are popular manufactures of fuel additives. Both companies have two different products available through Navistar and Idealease locations.

Power Service:

Penray:
Winter Thaw Emergency Diesel Fuel Supplement

-Dissolves already gelled fuel fast and reduces clogging of fuel filters

-Prevents ice crystal build-up in fuel lines and filters by disbursing moisture

-Eliminates hard starting, pounding, excessive smoking, and helps improve combustion. 

-100% compatible with low sulfur fuel and fuel blends.
 

Winter Pow-R Plus Diesel Fuel Supplement

-ULSD compliant

-Prevents gelling of diesel fuel and ice crystal formation

-Reduces cold filter plug point b as much as 30ºF

-Helps enhance cetane and improve fuel economy.

-Utilizes HAFI® technology.

-Improves cold weather starting.

-Stabilizes and prevents corrosion.

-Helps reduce emissions and improves lubricity

• a shovel
• windshield scraper and small broom
• flashlight with extra batteries
• battery powered radio
• water
• snack food including energy bars
  

  
• raisins and mini candy bars
• matches and small candles
• Disposable Hand/Foot warmers
• extra hats, socks, and mittens
• First aid kit with pocketknife
• Necessary medications
• blankets or sleeping bag
• tow chain or rope
• road salt, sand, or cat litter for traction
• booster cables
• fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention
• Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter and or extra battery supply

It is Deer season, and now is the time to remind drivers of the dangers of animals in the roadway. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 1.5 million deer-related accidents occur each year. Three out of four accidents involving animals are deer. Nationally, deer collisions with vehicles cause $1.1 billion in vehicle damage annually, kill 150 people and injure another 29,000 people. Cattle, horses, dogs, and bears also led to fatalities in collisions. Crashes with deer are most likely to occur in late fall during deer breeding, migration, and hunting season. Accidents with deer are likely to occur on rural roads with a speed limit of 55 mph or higher, in darkness, or at dusk and dawn. In 60% of the accidents involving human fatalities with animal-vehicle collisions, the fatality was caused not by the collision with the deer, but failure to wear a safety belt. The animal-vehicle collision is the first event and often not the deadliest. It is what occurs to the vehicle after the initial collision that is often the cause of the fatality, i.e., striking a fixed object or another vehicle(s). There is no feasible way to keep deer and other animals off the roadway. Deer whistles have been sold over the years as a way of avoiding deer collisions. I can personally attest that the whistles work. However, it is still up to the deer what action is taken after hearing the whistle. This may include standing still in the roadway or running directly at you; therefore, drivers need to always be vigilant and especially in those areas that are prone to animal crossing.

If you are operating in a state that requires chains to be on board, make sure the chains are the correct size, properly secured, clean, undamaged/ easily accessible when necessary. 

Not sure what your state’s chain laws are? Click the link below.

http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/laws.html