Weatherproofing Your Semi-Truck: The Complete Guide

Recently updated on August 12th, 2024

Driving a semi-truck is a complicated endeavor, even in perfect conditions, which is why truck drivers are some of — if not the most — qualified and licensed drivers on the road. Things get even more complicated in difficult weather conditions. Whether it’s the scorching summer sun or a deep freeze in a harsh winter, your semi-truck is exposed to a wide range of adverse conditions that can take a noticeable and drastic toll on your vehicle’s performance and longevity. With the right approach to preparing your vehicle for weather, though, you can protect your rig and make sure that it can withstand anything you drive it through.

We put together a guide to help you identify key areas for maintenance and protection against the weather so you can keep your truck running well. Things like battery care and engine protection are absolutely essential in extreme conditions, as are the tire selection process and specific maintenance tasks for certain types of weather conditions. We also go into how to pack an emergency kit for unexpected overnighting.

Remember that when it comes to keeping your truck running smoothly, LubeZone is here to help. With efficient and comprehensive services at our many locations across the United States, you can come to us with confidence that your vehicle is going to get the care it needs to get back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. Read more about some weatherproofing tips, and visit us today to take advantage of the many services we offer our truckers!

And remember the most important tip of all: regular maintenance is absolutely critical when you are operating in extreme temperatures.

Battery Care In Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures will have a major impact on your truck’s performance, and high heat, in particular, can do a number on your engine and your batteries. The high heat will cause your batteries to corrode much faster than normal, which can rapidly degrade the batteries’ ability to hold and deliver a charge as the internal structure is damaged. Heat can also cause sulfation, which is when lead sulfate crystals build up on the battery plates, which will cause problems with the terminal connections, reduce performance, and ultimately reduce the batteries’ lifespan in a noticeable way. You may find that your batteries aren’t holding a charge properly, and in worst-case scenarios, your they may swell up or overcharge.

Alternately, cold will actually preserve your batteries because it slows down the way they discharge. But long-lasting batteries aren’t worth much if they can’t provide the power you need. So if your AH (Ampere Hours) and cold cranking amps aren’t sufficient, you can’t start your truck in the cold.

Protecting Your Batteries

So, that’s the bad news. Now, how to protect your batteries? Here are a few tips:

• Park in the shade to minimize exposure to direct sunlight
• Clean your battery terminals regularly to remove corrosion and keep them running optimally
• Use petroleum jelly or protective spray to prevent corrosion from building up in the first place

Engine Care In Extreme Temperatures

As with your batteries, extreme temps can have a significant impact on your engine, as well. High temperatures can lead to overheating, especially when you’re driving under a heavy load or for long distances — things that truckers do often. Overheating can cause problems like warped cylinders, failed head gaskets, or even complete engine failures. That is why it is important to get proper semi-truck preventative maintenance completed every 25,000 miles or 40,000 kilometers.

Cold weather, on the other hand, can be just as hard on your engine. It’s important to let your engine warm entirely before driving, but in extreme conditions, you will need to keep some fringe issues in mind. One issue the cold can have is that it makes your oil run slower or thicker, which makes the engine work harder to circulate it. This can cause damage to your engine, and will impact your batteries’ performance while it tries to cold crank an engine.

Protecting Your Engine

• Use the right oil, one that has the correct viscosity for the temperatures you are planning to drive in. This is typically a lower-viscosity oil in the winter and a higher viscosity in the summer.
• Warm your engine before hitting the road to allow the oil to warm, thin, and circulate. If your oil isn’t able to circulate normally before you start driving, you may cause unnecessary wear and tear on critical, sensitive engine components.
• Keep your engine warm with a block heater if you aren’t going to idle overnight. This can make a big difference when it comes time to fire up your engine on a cold morning.

Tire Selection and Maintenance for Various Weather Conditions

Your tires are crucial for safety and performance, and you’ll need to think about the weather you’re planning to drive in when it comes to caring for the shoes on your rig.

Tires in Hot Weather

Heat can cause the air in your tires to expand, which can lead to overinflated tires that increase your risk of a blowout and don’t have even contact with the road. To prepare for hot weather:

• Check your tire pressure often to make sure it’s in the recommended range. Check your pressure when they are cold because heat can lead to an inaccurate reading.
• Inspect for damage like uneven wear, bulging, or cracking in the sidewalls. Any of these problems may indicate an inflation issue or could mean your alignment is off.

Tires in Cold Weather

Cold weather can have an exact opposite effect, where it causes them to contract, and suddenly you are driving on underinflated tires that handle poorly, do a number on your fuel efficiency, and wear out quickly. To prepare your tires for cold weather driving:

• Consider winter tires that have special, grippy compound that won’t stiffen in cold weather. These tires will maintain their grip and help you with braking in cold conditions.
• As with in warm weather, keep a constant eye on your tire pressure. Make sure you are inflating as necessary to keep your tires working as expected.

Tires in Rainy Weather

Wet roads will have less friction, which can increase your risk of skidding and hydroplaning. To prepare for rain:

• Keep an eye on your tire tread to make sure that they are able to channel water away to reduce hydroplaning. If the treads are too worn down, they won’t be able to work as expected.
• Slow down! Even if you have brand-new tires, driving at a lower speed will help you keep control over your vehicle and reduce the risk of hydroplaning.

Emergency Kits for Truckers

Your emergency kit will keep you safe and comfortable in the event of an emergency like a breakdown or accident. Here are some things to consider in your emergency kit:

• Non-perishable food and bottled water will stay usable for quite a while, and will come in handy if you are broken down or stranded for a long period of time.
• A first aid kit and PPE like gloves and masks will be important for treating minor injuries without needing to wait for EMTs to arrive after an accident.
• Warning triangles will alert other motorists during a breakdown or accident so they can have plenty of time to slow down and avoid a secondary accident.
• Warm clothing is very important to have in the event of a breakdown in cold weather where you can’t run your cab’s heat. This can also include a blanket or sleeping bag.

Remember that your emergency kit should suit your own needs. If you drive in hot and sunny areas, then extra sunscreen might be important. This is just one example of the many different specifics you’ll need to think about when putting yours together.