•All controls •Battery •Seat belt •Backup alarm
most like driving an EV,” he stated. “When you get home in the after- noon, you plug it in. It’s practically the same thing – in the winter, you’ll want to plug the truck in every single night to make sure that it’s not super cold and the diesel fuel doesn’t gel up. This is considered a pre-mainte- nance task.”
“It’ll run smoother,” Dean said. “In cold weather, diesel fuel will actually turn into a gel if it gets cold enough. The same thing goes for oil – it takes lon- ger to heat it up until it becomes thin enough to be effective.” In northern regions that see more extreme temperatures in the winter, it’s also recommended to check that the block heater is functional. Block heaters plug in directly to the truck using a 110-volt outlet, ensuring the engine block is warm and the diesel fuel stays fluid. “If it does gel up, it doesn’t flow well, and sometimes the truck just will not start,” he said. “If the truck is equipped with a block heater, you’ll be sure it ac- tually functions and works.” Dean compared plugging a truck into a block heater to plugging in an electric vehicle.
Safety & Emergency Equipment
Finally, inspect and confirm that all required safety and emergency equip- ment is stocked, accessible, and in good working order. This includes: •First aid kit •Fire extinguisher •Traffic cones •Warning signs and flags •Tools and equipment •Personal protective equipment (PPE) •Outrigger pads and/or mats •Wheel chocks
Pre-Operational Checks
After the exterior and fluids pass in- spection, move into the cab and perform pre-operational system checks. The fol- lowing should be in good working order:
•Brakes •Steering wheel •Horn •Turn signals •Wipers •Lights – headlights, tail lights, brake lights, flashers
“It’s a funny comparison, but it’s al-
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