How to Winterize a Semi Truck: The Complete Driver Checklist

14th Oct 2025

Cold winter weather, freezing temperatures, snow-covered roads, and adverse weather conditions wreak havoc on semi truck engines and equipment, and can lead to costly repairs if damage occurs.

Don’t compromise safety on the road. Here are some tips on how to get your truck winter-ready.

How to Quickly Prep Your Semi Truck for Winter

THE BEST TIPS:

Keep the Fuel Tank Full: if you're parked, do not keep a low fuel tank (it'll condensate and ice up).
Use Anti-Gel: check the labels and get the concentration right to prevent your fuel from freezing.
After Gel: if it's too late and your fuel is frozen, use one of these.
Tires: check your tire pressure regularly.
Windshield: check for chips or cracks and switch to cold temp blend washer fluid.
Engine: switch to a winter-grade engine oil for easier cold starts and use the right antifreeze concentration (5/50 or 60/40).
Fuel Filter & Water Separator: consider changing your fuel filter before winter starts
Lights: visibility is important, so ensure the exterior lights aren’t dead.
Battery: check each individual battery connections, inspect the wiring for damage, and confirm that the battery mount is secure.
Air Dryer: drain the air dryer using a purge valve and check its functionality with a voltmeter.
Gladhands: inspect the gladhands for corrosion.
Exhaust System: inspect it thoroughly because winter cold can lead to cracks or leaks in the exhaust system.

Best Winter-Ready Truck Accessories for Your Big Rig

#1. Tire Chains

If you find yourself hauling loads through vast stretches of snow-covered highways in northern states like Minnesota or North Dakota, you'll be happy you bought these.

Tire chains can be stored in your cab rack or on a lockable, frame-mounted tire chain hanger.

Get-Go tire chains are a great brand to consider adding to your rig.

A interesting alternative to tire chains is the Autosock Winter Traction cover.

It's a lightweight alternative that's machine washable and easy to install. It's quieter and has less vibration than traditional tire chains. Not only that, the material won't damage your wheel in any way.

Let's say it's too late for any of that.

You've already pulled to the side of the road and you're trying to install emergency snow tires on the spot. In that case, you'll be thankful to have a high quality tire chain wrench in your storage.

Sure, it's not a must-have item, but something to seriously consider throwing into your toolbox.

#2. Nylon Cable Wraps

Add nylon cable wrap over your gladhands. This prevents fraying and moisture damage to the inner lining from winter weather.

#3. Equalizer Valve

Tire pressure can shift dramatically in cold weather. So, keep an equalizer valve on hand to rectify this.

#4. Heated Mirrors

Moto Mirror offers top-of-the-line aftermarket mirror kits to fit any Class 8 semi.

#5. Heated Headlights

Alongside headlights, you can also install heated taillights.

Even oval-shaped rear LED turn lights have a heated lens option incorporated into the design.

Some of the top brands for heated rear lights include:

#6. Winter Wiper Blades

These J-hook style wiper blades eminate a 230 F radiant heat that stretches throughout the silicone wiper blade and the metal frame it's attached to.

They're easy and quick to install. And they maintain flexibility under harsh winter conditions, lasting up to 3 times longer than normal windshield wipers.

#7. Engine Block Heater

#8. Winter Front

While many modern trucks come with in-build systems designed to do the job of a winter front.

Winter fronts remain a useful accessory for older semi truck models.

#9. Permacoil 7-Way Power Cable

This 7-way light-duty Permacoil is what powers the electrical system in your truck. This product effectively prevents moisture and corrosion build-up.

Phillips Industries also offers a STA-DRY socket locks out moisture and contaminents - unlike traditional electrical plugs and air plugs.

#10. Buy a Spare Radiator Cap

A damaged or worn seal can mean coolant loss, pressure loss that compromises the cooling system. Having a spare cap on hand is worth it.

BONUS: Insta-Chain Automatic Ice Chain

This is an interesting product. No, it's not a "must-have" truck accessory. And, no, it's not cheap.

Powered by the truck's secondary air tank by the press of a button, these 6-chain to 12-chain wheel strands help to clear away ice from the bottom of the truck.

It's namely used by municipalities that have vocational commercial trucks dedicated to driving through harsh winter weather.

The Quick Recap: Winter Prepping with the Right Products

≤ 32°F: switch washer fluid, regularly check tire pressure, drain water separator, verify lights/wipers.
≤ 20°F: start anti-gel fuel additives, inspect air dryer purge, test battery performance.
≤ 10°F: plug in your engine block heater, carry spare fuel filters, avoid cold soaks.
≤ -10°F: winterized fuel (#1/#2 blend), chain readiness, park out of wind.

Fuel System in Cold Weather — Stop Gelling, Protect Injection

The number one thing you need to plan for is fuel gelling. So, be prepared. Carry anti-gel solution with you to avoid it from happening.

Fuel science: cloud point, CFPP, pour point (plain English)

The Cloud Point: the temp at which wax crystals form in the diesel fuel, making it appear cloudy.

CFPP (Cold Filter Plugging Point): lowest temp at which diesel fuel clogs the filter.

Pour Point: lowest temp at which diesel fuel flows through the hoses.

Using the Right Anti-Gel Diesel Fuel Treatment

Preventive anti-gel should be used BEFORE the fuel congeals.

Howes and Lucas Oil offer some great diesel treatment products.

An emergency de-geller should ONLY be used after the fuel has congealed, not beforehand.

DO NOT mix these in the same fill.

Avoid Condensation in Your Fuel Tank

Keep your tank at least half full to avoid condensation in the tank. The vacant space in the tank with low fuel levels allows for moisture to build up and mix with your fuel. Bad news.

Perform a daily water separator check and carry a few spare fuel filters in case of an emergency.

Use the Right Fuel Grade Blends & Cetane in Cold Climates

#1 blends are ideal for cold months (it has a higher cetane rating); use #2 blends for warmer months (has a lower cetane rating).

Tip: Keep a warm fuel tank (always over half full) during colder months.

Electrical Systems & Starting — Battery Life in Freezing Temps

In freezing temps, battery capacity can drop 30-50%.

Here are some steps to keep the electrical system running.

Load Test & CCA Targets

VISUAL: Replace leaking batteries and clean out green/white corrosion at the terminals; tighten the lugs.

RESTING VOLTAGE: (12V system) After 2-3 hours, batteries should read 12.6-12.8V.

CONDUCTANCE TEST: Test each battery individually and get an instant CCA estimate.

CARBON PILE LOAD TEST: Apply 1/2 the rated CCA for 15 seconds, voltage should read above 9.6V.

CHECK VOLTAGE DROP: Positive path (battery to starter) = less than 0.5V during crank; Ground path (starter to battery) = less than 0.2-0.3V.

Check your torque battery connections every month during the winter and keep surface areas dry. Any mosture buildup can create energy leakage paths.

Alternator Output & Parasitic Draw

Alternator & Charge System Test:

With loads ON = over 13.5V
Hot Idle (no loads): 13.8-14.6V across batteries
AC ripple check: less than 0.5V AC.

Parasitic (key-off) draw:

Acceptable draw: less than 50mA.
Procedure: fully charge it, key off, close the doors, and let modules sleep 20-45 min.
Place ammeter in series with negative cable.
If the draw is high, pull fuses one at a time (or disocnnect added accessories) to isolate the circuit.

Exhaust Aftertreatment (DPF/DEF) — Winter Strategy

DEF freezes at 12F (-11C). Cold idling menas low exhaust gas temperatures, and therefore more soot. Plan your routes and driving habits carefully ahead of time. This way, the aftertreatment stays hot enough to self-clean (via the regen cycle).

Frozen DEF handling (no additives)

Symptoms: DEF level is OK, but system reports “DEF thaw in progress,” low DEF pressure code, or temporary SCR/NOx efficiency warnings after a cold soak.

First off, don't add chemicals. Let the truck thaw the DEF via the tank and line heaters. Check the easy stuff, like the DEF cap and tank vent.

Cold-weather regen strategy

Goal: Keep the diesel particulate filter hot enough, long enough, to oxidize soot. Idling on a cold lot drops EGTs and loads soot.

The daily operating rules include:

Reduce idle time.
Add one high-load segment to each duty cycle.
Do not interrupt the regen process.

Air System & Brake System Parts to Help Keep Moisture Out

Tractor Air Dryer & Purge Assembly

The goal is to keep water out of the system so it doesn't freeze in the valves and lines.

Here's what you might need.

Air Dryer Desiccant Cartridge

Get a premium aftermarket cartridge to match your dryer model. Replace these annually before winter.

Signs of failure: moist spit at wet tank drain, sluggish air build, and frequent frozen valves.

In winter, the goal is to drain out excess moisture/water before it freezes and causes issues.

Gladhands & Tractor-Trailer Connections (Winter Upgrades)

Getting the right parts can stop the moisture at the coupling, before it enters.

Polyurethane Gladhand Seals

Unlike rubber, polyurethane will stay flexible in freezing temperatures. Replace them when you see checking or flattening.

Pack an Emergency Kit for Winter Truck Driving

Any driver hauling payloads through winter weather needs an emergency kit. It's a given.

Always pack one with you as it has essential safety accessories for you and your truck.

A kit should come with:

Work gloves
Warning triangles
First aid kit
Tire pressure guage
Tire thread guage
Zip ties
Emergency blanket
Wheel chocks
Hand warmers
Warning flag

You can also throw in accessories like:

Spare bulbs/fuses
Tow/recovery straps
Triangles
Traction aids

Winter Accessories & Parts at 4 State Trucks

At 4 State Trucks, we stock in-demand parts to help personalize and upgrade your rig all year long.

You can easily shop for the top accessories and components to help winterize your semi truck, inculding:

Anti-gel & emergency de-geller
Winter mats
Heated headlights
Air dryer cartridges/purge valves

If you need assistance with finding the right part or fitment, call a product expert. And shop with greater convenience using our mobile app.