With the arrival of the winter season, those who travel the highways face numerous challenges. The early morning cold is not only uncomfortable for the driver but also for the truck, and it can cause many problems if we are not properly prepared for sub-zero temperatures—not to mention icy roads or snowfall.
Experience is important in such conditions, but on its own it is not always enough for safe driving. However, a few seasonal accessories can work wonders and often protect prepared drivers from even life-threatening situations.
In this article, we will show you the essentials you shouldn’t hit the road without in winter—even if trucking is your life and you have years of driving experience!
What antifreeze should go into the cooling system?
Let’s start with one of the most important winter essentials: antifreeze. The purpose of antifreeze is to protect the coolant—commonly referred to as “cooling water”—from freezing even on the coldest days. This is crucial because the engine cannot operate without proper cooling, even in freezing conditions, as it can still overheat and get damaged.
Choosing the right antifreeze is therefore not something to take lightly. To find the right solution, several factors must be considered before purchase. One of the most important is what type of engine is in your vehicle. Engines can have aluminum or iron blocks. It is important to know that a fluid suitable for aluminum blocks will also work for iron ones.
However, what is suitable for iron cannot be used in aluminum blocks. That is why it is essential to choose carefully from the available options. While older vehicles typically have more metal components in their cooling systems, newer ones contain more aluminum, rubber, and plastic parts.
The next factor may seem less important at first, but don’t be misled—it matters a lot what color antifreeze you choose. At least in most cases. In theory, different colors indicate the chemical or technical properties of the antifreeze.
While blue and orange used to be the most common, today antifreeze is available in many colors, which may differ in certain characteristics.
Colors can indicate composition and lifespan. For example, blue antifreeze is usually ethylene glycol-based and needs to be replaced every two years or after 55,000 km. In contrast, red, purple, and yellow fluids often contain organic carboxylate additives, allowing replacement intervals of 4–5 years or 150,000–250,000 km.
However, manufacturers may use coloring differently, so two liquids of the same color may not have identical properties. Therefore, always check exactly what you are buying.
As winter approaches, you can check whether your coolant is sufficiently frost-resistant using a refractometer or hydrometer. You can read more about these tools later in the article.
What you should know about mixing antifreeze
The most important rule is that different types of antifreeze must not be mixed due to their different properties! Only mix the same colors together (pink with pink, blue with blue, etc.), and even then only with deionized water.
The reason is that, unlike tap water, deionized water does not contain salts. This is important because salts can cause deposits and limescale in the cooling system and also promote freezing, risking engine performance.
It is also important to remember that using deionized water dilutes the antifreeze, which can be dangerous. For example, a fluid rated for -35°C could easily become effective only down to -10°C. Therefore, always pay attention to mixing ratios.
Concentrated antifreeze typically protects down to -72°C. A mixture with 70% ethylene glycol and the rest distilled water provides protection to about -50°C, while a 50/50 mix protects to around -35°C.
The best solution is to avoid mixing antifreeze yourself. Nowadays, many ready-made products are available that suit both your vehicle and weather conditions.
Always read product descriptions carefully and choose the correct color and composition. Also, make sure not to confuse antifreeze with windshield washer fluid!
Season-appropriate windshield washer fluid is essential
When preparing for winter, it is also worth checking your washer fluid. Why? Because if summer washer fluid remains in the system during winter, it can freeze and damage the tank or pipes, or even burn out the washer motor if frozen fluid is pumped.
Winter washer fluids are available in various concentrations and packaging. The most popular are those effective down to -19 to -22°C, which are usually sufficient for typical winter conditions.
You can also buy concentrates designed for temperatures between -40°C and -70°C. These should be diluted with distilled water before use, which is also more economical.
Always choose quality products—cheap “no-name” fluids can become slushy, which is not only inconvenient but also dangerous.
This is especially problematic if the fluid freezes onto the windshield due to cold and airflow. For safe driving, it is also essential that wiper blades and rubber elements are in good condition.
Refractometer: what is it and why does every driver need one?
A refractometer is an essential winter tool for trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, and cars. With it, you can quickly determine whether your coolant and washer fluid contain sufficient antifreeze.
It allows you to check the properties of certain fluids by placing a few drops on a prism and closing the cover. Some models can also measure battery acid and AdBlue.
For example, our optical antifreeze tester has four measurement scales, including separate ones for propylene and ethylene glycol, as well as battery acid. We also offer models that can measure AdBlue levels.
The device is easy to use, but must be calibrated before use. This takes only a few seconds: apply distilled water, close the cover, and check the scale.
If the blue line aligns with the “waterline” mark, the device is ready. If not, adjust it using the included screwdriver. This calibration should be done once a year.
After calibration, measuring fluids works the same way—just replace distilled water with the fluid you want to test. You can learn more from our video guide.
Fuel anti-gel: why and how to use it?
In winter, diesel engines often struggle to start because fuel can crystallize and gel in extreme cold, clogging filters and preventing engine operation.
Anti-gel additives prevent paraffin crystal formation, ensuring proper fuel flow and protecting the system.
If temperatures drop below -15°C, it is strongly recommended to use them, even though winter diesel is available at fuel stations. Below -20°C, it can still gel. Most additives work safely down to -39°C.
That is why a high-quality anti-gel additive is essential for any responsible truck driver in winter.
Effective defense against ice, snow, and cold: de-icer, scraper, silicone spray
Ice is one of the biggest seasonal challenges. A snowy or icy windshield is manageable with a snow brush, a good ice scraper and de-icer.
There are many types of scrapers, and most are effective. It’s best if the tool has a rubber edge, making it easier to remove scraped ice. Some also include brush attachments. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference.
However, quality matters. Choose a sturdy scraper that won’t break easily. Thin plastic versions are less durable.
De-icers are available in spray or pump form and are extremely practical for handling frozen situations.
A frozen lock can be a bigger issue than an icy windshield. In such cases, lock de-icer spray is essential. It can be easily applied thanks to its special nozzle.
It also prevents rust and ensures proper lubrication. It’s a good idea to keep two bottles—one inside the vehicle and one outside.
Additionally, treating door seals with grease helps prevent freezing. Maintaining rubber seals is also important to keep cold air out. Silicone spray provides protection, lubrication, and sealing.
Finally, don’t forget to protect air brake systems from freezing—check and replace the air dryer cartridge if needed.
Additional useful tools: snow shovel and dehumidifier
While the above items are essential, other tools can improve comfort. A snow shovel is useful on less maintained roads.
A dehumidifier can help prevent window fogging. Electric heaters consume a lot of power and can drain batteries or damage sockets.
Gas heaters may seem useful, but must never be used indoors due to suffocation and explosion risks. Most trucks have auxiliary heaters, which are effective but use fuel.
Other essentials: floor mats, snow chains, and more
Some additional items are also worth mentioning. For example, rubber floor mats help prevent snow and slush from entering the cabin.
They help keep the interior clean and protect upholstery. High-quality mats can be fixed in place and are especially recommended for heavy use vehicles.
Other useful items include snow chains and jump starters. You can read more about them here.
Finally, for maximum safety and comfort, don’t forget a padded high-visibility jacket, which ensures you remain visible even in harsh winter conditions.