Winter is almost coming and your Ford pickup is bound to go through some serious punishment. While Ford pickup trucks like the F-150 or Ranger are built like beasts, engineered to have the power and durability for heavy duty driving. At the end of the day however, Ford pickups are still susceptible to wear and tear, which can be brought about by the harshness of the winter season. As such, winter-proofing vehicles has become a common practice and is always a practical choice, as it saves you from spending a lot more for repairs courtesy of the extreme conditions your vehicle experiences. Below are some tips to consider when winter-proofing your precious Ford trucks.
The main thing that one should always worry about is rust. Winter roads are teeming with salt and dirt that could accelerate rusting on various parts of your pickup like the door jams. The debris can also clog vital exhaust and drainage systems that allow your pickup to function properly, or worse, prematurely rust the interior of your car. Regularly washing your car will take care of the exterior, especially underneath the body. Checking your cowl cover would also be a good idea, since you wouldn't want any of that nasty gunk to get into your cowl (eventually leading to vital parts under the hood) and possibly damage some sensitive parts like wirings, pedals or worse, the engine itself..
Ford pickup cowl covers are easily available anywhere and are usually packaged with easy-to-follow instructions for installation, this would also be the perfect time to replace wiper blades, as the two go hand in hand.
Likewise, special attention must be given to the engine. Although it is hard to believe, engines do overheat during winter time. Coolant leaks or buying coolant that is not winter-tested (i.e. Won't freeze when the temperature drops below 35 degrees) can really be a pain. An oil change should also be in order. Purchasing lower viscosity oil is the ideal solution, since the oil will flow easier even under extremely cold temperatures. If budget permits, investing on Ford pickup oil filter relocation kits could help in faster checking of the engine due to the fact that the oil filter can be place in an area where it will be less of an obstruction. Some kits provide more oil capacity, as well as better oil filtration once installed.
Fuel consumption should be closely monitored, always have the tank filled by half at the very least to keep the gasoline from freezing. This also prevents the fuel line from freezing. It is actually advisable to have the tank always relatively full. Other fluids to check is the windshield wiper fluid, particularly one that is antifreeze. Making sure there is enough antifreeze wiper fluid can help with the visibility problem just in case of snow fall or snow falling off taller objects like trees and the like.
Finally, checking the tires is a must for safety. Traction is always a problem on icy and snow-filled roads. Changing the tires or purchasing tire chains can be a life-saver. Bringing an extra set is never a waste of money.
