Page 32 - Draft 2023 2024 CDL Manual w Modernization Info

SECTION 2: DRIVING SAFETY

is enough antifreeze in the system to protect 2.13.2 - Driving Tires. Check the tire mounting and air pres­
against freezing. This can be checked with a Slipper Surfaces. Drive slowly and smooth­ sure. Inspect the tires every two hours or every
special coolant tester. ly on slippery roads. If it is very slippery, you 100 miles when driving in very hot weather. Air
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Defrosting and Heating Equipment. Make shouldn't drive at all. Stop at the first safe place. pressure increases with temperature. Do not let
air out or the pressure will be too low when the
sure the defrosters work. They are needed for Start Gentl and Slowl . When first starting, tires cool off. If a tire is too hot to touch, remain
safe driving. Make sure the heater is working, get the feel of the road. Don't hurry. stopped until the tire cools off. Otherwise the
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and that you know how to operate it. If you tire may blow out or catch fire.
use other heaters and expect to need them (e.g., Check for Ice. Check for ice on the road, espe­
mirror heaters, battery box heaters, fuel tank cially bridges and overpasses. A lack of spray Engine Oil. The engine oil helps keep the en­
heaters), check their operation. from other vehicles indicates ice has formed on gine cool, as well as lubricating it. Make sure
Wipers and Washers. Make sure the wind­ the road. Also, check your mirrors and wiper there is enough engine oil. If you have an oil
shield wiper blades are in good condition. Make blades for ice. If they have ice, the road most temperature gauge, make sure the tempera­
ture is within the proper range while you are
likely will be icy as well.
sure the wiper blades press against the window driving.
hard enough to wipe the windshield clean, oth­ Adjust Turning and Braking to Conditions.
erwise they may not sweep off snow properl y. Make turns as gently as possible. Don't brake Engine Coolant. Before starting out, make
Make sure the windshield washer works and any harder than necessary, and don't use the sure the engine cooling system has enough
there is washing fluid in the washer reservoir. engine brake or speed retarder. (They can cause water and antifreeze according to the engine
Use windshield washer antifreeze to prevent the driving wheels to skid on slippery surfaces.) manufacturer's directions. (Antifreeze helps
freezing of the washer liquid. If you can't see Adjust Speed to Conditions. Don't pass the engine under hot conditions as well as cold
well enough while driving (for example, if your conditions.) When driving, check the water tem­
wipers fail), stop safely and fix the problem. slower vehicles unless necessary. Go slowly and perature or coolant temperature gauge from
watch far enough ahead to keep a steady speed.
Tires. Make sure you have enough tread on Avoid having to slow down and speed up. Take time to time. Make sure that it remains in the
normal range. If the gauge goes above the high­
your tires. The drive tires must provide traction curves at slower speeds and don't brake while in
to push the rig over wet pavement and through curves. Be aware that as the temperature rises est safe temperature, there may be something
wrong that could lead to engine failure and pos­
snow. The steering tires must have traction to to the point where ice begins to melt, the road sibly fire. Stop driving as soon as safely possible
steer the vehicle. Enough tread is especially im­ becomes even more slippery. Slow down more. and try to find out what is wrong.
portant in winter conditions. You must have at Adjust Space to Conditions. Don't drive Some vehicles have sight glasses, see-through
least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove
on front tires and at least 2/32 inch on other tires. alongside other vehicles. Keep a longer follow­ coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery
ing distance. When you see a traffic jam ahead, containers. These permit you to check the cool­
More would be better. Use a gauge to determine
if you have enough tread for safe driving. slow down or stop to wait for it to clear. Try ant level while the engine is hot. If the container
hard to anticipate stops early and slow down is not part of the pressurized system, the cap
Tire Chains. You may find yourself in condi­ gradually. Watch for snowplows, as well as salt can be safely removed and coolant added even
tions where you can't drive without chains, even and sand trucks, and give them plenty of room. when the engine is at operating temperature.
to get to a place of safety. Carry the right num­ Wet Brakes. When driving in heavy rain or Never remove the radiator cap or any part
ber of chains and extra cross-links. Make sure deep standing water, your brakes will get wet. of the pressurized system until the system has
they will fit your drive tires. Check the chains Water in the brakes can cause the brakes to be cooled. Steam and boiling water can spray un­
for broken hooks, worn or broken cross-links, weak, to apply unevenly, or to grab. This can der pressure and cause severe burns. If you can
and bent or broken side chains. Learn how to touch the radiator cap with your bare hand, it
put the chains on before you need to do it in cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, is probably cool enough to open.
pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife
snow and ice. if you pull a trailer. If coolant has to be added to a system with­
Li hts and Reflectors. Make sure the lights Avoid driving through deep puddles or flow­ out a recovery tank or overflow tank, follow
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these steps:
and reflectors are clean. Lights and reflectors ing water if possible. If not, you should:
are especially important during bad weather. • Shut engine off.
Check from time to time during bad weather to • Slow down and place transmission in a low gear. • Wait until engine has cooled.
make sure they are clean and working properly. • Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings
Windows and Mirrors. Remove any ice, snow, against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, • Protect hands (use gloves or a thick cloth).
etc., from the windshield, windows, and mirrors silt, sand, and water from getting in. • Turn radiator cap slowly to the first stop,
before starting. Use a windshield scraper, snow • Increase engine rpm and cross the water which releases the pressure seal.
brush, and windshield defroster as necessary. while keeping light pressure on the brakes. • Step back while pressure is released from
Hand Holds, Steps, and Deck Plates. Re­ • When out of the water, maintain light pres­ cooling system.
move all ice and snow from hand holds, steps, sure on the brakes for a short distance to heat • When all pressure has been released, press
and deck plates. This will reduce the danger them up and dry them out. down on the cap and turn it further to re­
of slipping. • Make a test stop when safe to do so. Check move it.
Radiator Shutters and Winterfront. Remove behind to make sure no one is following, then • Visually check level of coolant and add more
ice from the radiator shutters. Make sure the apply the brakes to be sure they work well. If coolant if necessary.
winterfront is not closed too tightly. If the shut­ not, dry them out further as described above.
ters freeze shut or the winterfront is closed too (CAUTION: Do not apply too much brake • Replace cap and turn all the way to the closed
much, the engine may overheat and stop. pressure and accelerator at the same time, or position.
you can overheat brake drums and linings.)
Exhaust S stem. Exhaust system leaks are Engine Belts. Learn how to check v-belt tight­
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especially dangerous when cab ventilation ness on your vehicle by pressing on the belts.
may be poor (windows rolled up, etc.). Loose 2.14 - Driving in Very Loose belts will not turn the water pump and/
connections could permit poisonous carbon Hot Weather or fan properly. This will result in overheating.
monoxide to leak into your vehicle. Carbon Also, check belts for cracking or other signs
monoxide gas will cause you to be sleepy. In 2.14.1 -Vehicle Checks of wear.
large enough amounts it can kill you. Check the Hoses. Make sure coolant hoses are in good
exhaust system for loose parts and for sounds Do a normal pre-trip inspection, but pay spe­ condition. A broken hose while driving can
and signs of leaks. cial attention to the following items.
lead to engine failure and even fire.

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