Preparing trucks, and all types of vehicles, for the cold and wet winter is essential. Euromaster recommends checking the condition of the tires, lights and batteries, among other things.
Lisbon, December 19th - December 21 is the official start of winter. But, like the best-prepared, it's important that hauliers make all the necessary preparations at this time of year to ensure that their vehicles can cope with temperatures below eight degrees Celsius, when mechanics and tires are put to the test.
In fact, the intense cold, as well as the heavy rain, is the cause of a large proportion of mechanical problems and accidents at this time of year. According to Euromaster, a network of workshops specializing in comprehensive vehicle maintenance, it's the tires that give fleet managers the most headaches, with 30% of the incidents.
This is why proper tire maintenance, with special attention to tread depth, is essential, as it is the key to good evacuation of any water a driver may encounter on the road. Although the law does not stipulate a minimum tread depth for truck tires, in practice, proper evacuation can only be guaranteed below 3-4 mm.
In this regard, Euromaster reminds us of the importance of choosing a winter tire, i.e. one with specific characteristics for cold conditions - recommended below 8ºC - rain and even snow. This is an essential part of care for all types of vehicles, but it is even more important in the case of trucks due to the intensity of circulation.
Therefore, the recommendation is that the haulier opts for this type of tire by going to a network workshop and asking for the replacement of tires that are less prepared for winter and at greater risk of accidents. Small acts can have big consequences.
Another good example is windshield wipers, which should clean the windows well when it rains. Otherwise, no matter how intact the vehicle's braking system is, if the driver doesn't have adequate visibility, the brakes won't work. And, remember, this is a maintenance operation that only costs between 30 and 60 euros.
Another vehicle component to check with the arrival of cold weather is the lights, and it's crucial to adjust the headlight at a time of year when there are fewer hours of sunshine and therefore the lighting is on for longer. A headlight that is too low can reduce visibility of the road or, if it is too high, dazzle oncoming traffic.
And pay close attention to the batteries. Batteries are particularly susceptible to temperature changes and should be checked to ensure that they don't hiccup or get stuck on the road.
About Euromaster
A Euromaster is the network of workshops specializing in comprehensive maintenance of vehicles throughout their useful life. Its more than 80 workshops in Portugal contribute to the road health of the vehicle fleet, both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, as well as new forms of mobility and fleets, providing a quality service and capillarity to adapt to your needs. Its services cover not only preventive maintenance, but also predictive maintenance through the analysis of data and critical points. Part of the Michelin Group, Euromaster is present in 19 European countries, with more than 2,500 workshops, 10,000 professionals and 1,600 mobile units.
More information at www.euromaster.pt.