Page 31 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

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 Slippery Surfaces. Drive slowly and smooth- sure. Inspect the tires every two hours or every
special coolant tester. 100 miles when driving in very hot weather. Air
ly on slippery roads. If it is very slippery, you

Defrosting and Heating Equipment. Make shouldn’t drive at all. Stop at the first safe place. pressure increases with temperature. Do not let

sure the defrosters work. They are needed for air out or the pressure will be too low when the

safe driving. Make sure the heater is working, Start Gently and Slowly. When first starting, tires cool off. If a tire is too hot to touch, remain
and that you know how to operate it. If you get the feel of the road. Don’t hurry. stopped until the tire cools off. Otherwise the
use other heaters and expect to need them (e.g., Check for Ice. Check for ice on the road, espe- tire may blow out or catch fire.

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

the road. Also, check your mirrors and wiper there is enough engine oil. If you have an oil
Wipers and Washers. Make sure the wind- blades for ice. If they have ice, the road most temperature gauge, make sure the tempera-

shield wiper blades are in good condition. Make likely will be icy as well. ture is within the proper range while you are
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 properly. 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 slower vehicles unless necessary. Go slowly and conditions.) When driving, check the water tem-
wipers fail), stop safely and fix the problem. 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

your tires. The drive tires must provide traction curves at slower speeds and don’t brake while in normal range. If the gauge goes above the high-
to push the rig over wet pavement and through curves. Be aware that as the temperature rises est safe temperature, there may be something

snow. The steering tires must have traction to to the point where ice begins to melt, the road wrong that could lead to engine failure and pos-

steer the vehicle. Enough tread is especially im- becomes even more slippery. Slow down more. sibly fire. Stop driving as soon as safely possible
portant in winter conditions. You must have at and try to find out what is wrong.
least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove Adjust Space to Conditions. Don’t drive Some vehicles have sight glasses, see-through
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

More would be better. Use a gauge to determine ing distance. When you see a traffic jam ahead, containers. These permit you to check the cool-

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 cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, touch the radiator cap with your bare hand, it
put the chains on before you need to do it in pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife is probably cool enough to open.
snow and ice. If coolant has to be added to a system with-
if you pull a trailer.
Lights and Reflectors. Make sure the lights Avoid driving through deep puddles or flow- out a recovery tank or overflow tank, follow
and reflectors are clean. Lights and reflectors ing water if possible. If not, you should: these steps:

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.

make sure they are clean and working properly. • Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings • Wait until engine has cooled.

against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, • Protect hands (use gloves or a thick cloth).

Windows and Mirrors. Remove any ice, snow, silt, sand, and water from getting in.
etc., from the windshield, windows, and mirrors • 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

and deck plates. This will reduce the danger them up and dry them out. • When all pressure has been released, press
of slipping. down on the cap and turn it further to re-

• 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 System. Exhaust system leaks are Engine Belts. Learn how to check v-belt tight-
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
exhaust system for loose parts and for sounds Do a normal pre-trip inspection, but pay spe- Hoses. Make sure coolant hoses are in good
and signs of leaks. cial attention to the following items. condition. A broken hose while driving can
lead to engine failure and even fire.
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