Despite all the talk of climate change and the steady ramp-up in carbon tax collection to fight it, winter is coming. And Canadian winters get cold.
For the residents of Southern Ontario, aka, the Centre of the Universe, cold may be -3 C. For us in Manitoba, the real Centre of Canada, that’s short sleeve weather.
I can’t count the number of times I have tried to help stranded truck drivers who wear nothing but sandals in our truly frigid winter out west. For the love of everything holy, please prepare for cold weather. The consequences are deadly out here.
Winter conditions are not just deadly for drivers, but also for those trying to rescue or help them. It is important drivers are equipped with the tools to survive. Here’s some winter survival tips.
Winter survival
Do you come out west from North Bay, or the U.S.? USA #1 diesel fuel doesn’t perform as well as the worst Canadian fuel. It can be tempting to buy cheaper U.S. fuel, but what does a frozen truck cost you in tow fees and lost time?
Try not to go much below half tanks and fuel up as soon as you can in Canada if you’re coming from the south. We have seen many issues with people fueling up near their terminal and then parking.
This doesn’t provide enough time for the fuel to mix properly and protect against freezing. Yes, I’ve made that mistake and when you’re leaving home after a couple days off, you don’t usually have time built in for filter replacements or thawing a truck.
Carry emergency supplies
It is a no-brainer that canned food, a couple gallons of water, noodles or other easy-to-store food is a staple in a truck running in winter conditions. Emergency personnel love when a driver is prepared to wait out a blizzard or a road closure due to a crash. When you have lots of good fuel and food to eat, they know they won’t have to help you when they have much more important issues to deal with.
Managers, teach your drivers how to chain up or drive in slippery conditions. Some of you will say you don’t want your drivers going in those conditions.
I also know your drivers are the ones spinning out and requiring rescue because while you say you don’t want them driving in bad conditions, you also don’t like if they stop to wait it out.
Bad weather can happen fast and even a very brief period of bad weather can turn deadly. Give drivers access to training for bad conditions. They will require that training if they go past Headingly, Man., guaranteed. Out here, -3 C is just slippery, mucky weather. Temperatures often reach -30 C and -40 C.
Dreaded DEF
Another inevitability in winter is dealing with dreaded diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Brainless politicians think using a water-based fertilizer is a good idea for emissions control.
The money-grabbing fuel suppliers eagerly shut off their DEF pumps when it gets cool so they can sell the water-based solution in plastic jugs at hugely inflated prices. We can’t even get decent straws anymore, and we have to use 10-liter jugs to save the environment?
Shame on us for allowing this to happen. Common sense has left the planet.
Find out which stations keep their pumps on or utilize pumps that aren’t junk, and give them all the business you can. Refuse to use those jugs if possible. It takes a little planning, but can be done.
Do you know what the limit is for tread depth on drive tires? Throw away that knowledge and buy good tires before the old ones are only good for serving as slicks at the drag racing strip.
I never advocate using cheap offshore tires. I have done many studies on tread durability and traction. None of the cheap tires have ever turned out cheaper over their lifetime. Never.
It seems so strange to see B.C.-based trucks running tires in the mountains that make a Nascar driver envious. That $1,000 savings you enjoyed can be put toward your recovery fees. Those of us who spend the extra dollars on good rubber shake our heads at your dirty undercarriage staring at us from the ditch as we drive on past.
Winter is coming and Mother Nature will do her best to slap you around. Be prepared so you won’t be surprised.
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