The Winter Weather Has Arrived! Are You Prepared?

by Dec 27, 2022Idealease, News, Safety

Winter Is Upon Us

We addressed this back in September, but it is worth repeating and reviewing with your drivers again as I sit here writing this bulletin watching snowflakes hit my window.  This week the Midwest is getting its first dose of measurable snow and below-freezing temperatures.  The front will bring cold temperatures as far south as Georgia.  So, it is an excellent time to review with your drivers how to take care of their fuel during these times.

  1. Diesel supplements should be added to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. 
  2. If your truck is equipped with an engine block heater, it should be plugged in when the temperature is below 32 degrees.  Trucks that are not utilized should be started and let run every day to bring the unit up to the average operating temperature.
  3. The initial start-up procedure should be as follows: Complete pre-trip of the unit, unplug the block heater, turn the ignition switch on, and wait for glow plug lights to go out, start the engine, leave the engine run until engine operating temperatures increase.
  4. For trucks equipped with air brakes, drivers should purge air tanks daily.  If the unit is equipped with an air drier, bringing the PSI to 120 will automatically purge the system.
  5. If you are driving in snow, ice, slush, rain, etc., before parking the unit for the day, you should lightly apply the brakes while the unit is moving to dry the brake shoes, drums, rotors, and pads, so the brakes do not freeze while parked.
  6. Make sure the windshield washer solvent is full and all windows are clean.
  7. Remove any ice-snow build-up from steps and grab handles to prevent a slip or fall.

When parking the unit, if heavy snow is in the forecast, make sure the unit is not left parked on an outside dock or near a building overhang.  Snow can drift off the building, causing excessive accumulation on the top.

Fuel Additive Use during Cold Weather Conditions

 As colder weather approaches you to need to use fuel additives to prevent fuel jelling.  Fuel additives should be added anytime the ambient temperature is below 32 degrees F. Power Service and Penray are popular manufactures of fuel additives and both companies have two different products available through Navistar and Idealease locations.

Power Service:
-The “Red Bottle” is Power Service 911 and is to be used ONLY when the fuel in a unit has been jelled
-911 is NOT to be used as a fuel additive that you would regularly put in the fuel tank to keep the fuel from jelling
-Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane “White Bottle” is to be added to the fuel at each fill when the ambient temperature is < 30 degrees F
-This is the additive you should use on a regular basis during the winter months

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 Thaw Emergency is ONLY TO BE USED WHEN THE FUEL IS ALREADY JELLED!

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

 

 

 

 

 

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