Snow visibility opinions and frozen filters..

[AE Iceman]

I would like some input form you drivers that are forced to drive in the Great White North during extreme cold and snowy conditions. First, how is the best way to keep your windows and wipers from ice build up? I have been told that by keeping minimal heat at your feet and off the windshiled will help snow to "bounce' off the cold windshield instead of melting and refreezing on a hot winshield. Second, I was told that a 100% wool toboggan will help insulate an exposed fuel filter. Any and all input is encouraged.

[delta5]

The best thing you can do for your fuel filters is to buy quality diesel fuel and keep the proper percentage of a good fuell additive in it. Also, most fuel tanks have drain plugs in the bottom so you can drain the slop and water from the tank. Most shops cant seem to be bothered to do this and then they wonder why they use so many fuel filters up so quickly...

[jakebrake12]

Originally Posted by Companyman

I would like some input form you drivers that are forced to drive in the Great White North during extreme cold and snowy conditions. First, how is the best way to keep your windows and wipers from ice build up? I have been told that by keeping minimal heat at your feet and off the windshiled will help snow to "bounce' off the cold windshield instead of melting and refreezing on a hot winshield. Second, I was told that a 100% wool toboggan will help insulate an exposed fuel filter. Any and all input is encouraged.

As far as the wipers go that is what I do. Put the heat on the floor, open the window, and turn the wipers off. If you can go a little ways without passing or getting passed, the snow will indeed bounce off the cold windshield. Sometimes you'll start to get a little build up and the wipers will get it off with minimal streaking. This technique got me across I80 in Pa Tuesday night with good visibility.

As far a the filters go, on our Sterlings they are exposed on the back of the cab. To get them going we put a torch to the metal below the filter to unfreeze them, then most guys rap a few rags around them and they are good to go once they are moving.

[Gonfercoffee]

back in the day we used diapers on the filters

[pcuthbert]

In the frozen north, we don't have to worry about snow building up on the windshield. As long as it is cold, the snow won't stick.

As for fuel gelling, we don't worry in Canada. The fuel is blended to below the coldest temperatures expected in the area where the fuel is sold.

In the Prairies, the fuel is blended to pour as low as 50 degrees below 0. Farther west and east, the fuel is blended to pour at 40 below.

Not sure of your fuel? Add 10% Kerosine in a pinch, and you will be sure to keep on running.

[medic92]

For the windshield, I just reach out the window, grab the wiper when it swings to the side of the windshield and beat on it. After a few times, most of the ice is knocked off. :)