Winter Exhaust Maintenance

Winter is hard on the exhaust system of any vehicle, but especially the kind used to support heavy-duty semi trucks. Routine maintenance needs change during this season. Regular inspections and upkeep become all the more important when water-induced damage could lead to sudden performance loss or emissions issues.

Stay on top of your big rig winter exhaust maintenance tasks with this guide to key maintenance needs for trucks of all kinds.

What's Different About Winter Exhaust Maintenance?

Ice and snow have the potential to clog your exhaust pipes, both from falling down vertical stacks and filling horizontal pipes when you reverse into a snow bank. If the plug stays in place, the airflow becomes restricted and could damage the more sensitive parts of your exhaust and aftertreatment systems.

Direct threats to your exhaust system and undercarriage as a whole increase in the winter as well. This is largely due to salt on the roads, which encourages corrosion of many materials. Ice and snow pelting the underside of your truck also increases wear and tear, which could push an already compromised and rusted muffler into breaking open.

Mud from melting snow or rain also tends to coat the exhaust system, making it harder to inspect and check for issues. Finally, changes can occur in exhaust fluid use rates because of the lower temperatures, slippery roads, and slower driving speeds. That makes it easy to overlook an empty diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) reservoir, leading to warning lights and engine power derating when you expect it the least.

Key Winter Exhaust Maintenance Practices

There are a few things to focus on when maintaining your semi truck's exhaust system in the winter.

Inspect & Repair the Undercarriage

Check exhaust pipes, mufflers, and clamps for damage at least once a day. Clean off mud and accumulated debris to get a clear look at everything. If you notice cracks, rust, or looseness, fix these problems immediately.

Act Against Corrosion

Don't let snow, ice, and mud build up on the exterior of pipes and other exhaust parts either. It can obscure damage and increase the risk of corrosion. A thick layer of material can overheat the exhaust temperatures and affect the sensors that connect to the truck's electronic control unit.

Wash the undercarriage and exhaust system regularly to keep it clear of debris and maintain a good view of all the parts. This also removes road salt, greatly reducing the chance of corrosion. Apply protective coatings and rust inhibitors to metal components before winter begins if possible for extra protection.

Take Care of the Emissions System

The aftertreatment system on your truck is essential for helping you meet strict emissions standards set by your state. However, most of these systems struggle to perform in colder temperatures, especially far below freezing. Use fuel additives every few fuel-ups to improve combustion and reduce soot entering your exhaust system.

DEF freezes at 12 degrees, and it expands when it does. That means a full or near-full tank could crack and then develop a leak. Your tank has a heating element that will melt the fluid when you start your truck, so don't add anything to melt it or keep it from freezing that could affect its purity. Use a high-quality DEF to prevent crystallization during the freezing and melting cycles.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) parts struggle in the winter because of slower driving speeds and increased stop-and-go traffic. This causes buildup in the filters, so make sure to check and clean them more regularly when temperatures drop. If you're spending more time idling to keep your truck warm during unloading, consider an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler flush as well.

Exhaust sensors may start acting up in the winter due to the extra stress on the system. Replace them as needed to keep your truck running smoothly and to avoid wasted fuel and check engine lights.

Adjust Your Operating Habits

Warm up your engine even if it's above freezing outside to give your exhaust system a chance to melt any frozen fluids or ice blockages. Give your truck a brief idle of at least a few minutes, then drive gently for the first five minutes or three miles. This aids in complete combustion and reduces wear and tear on the exhaust system over the winter.

While a short idle of five minutes or less is recommended during cold temperatures, you don't need excessive idling to stay warm. Avoid long periods of idling, as it can lead to carbon buildup throughout the exhaust system, which can clog filters and damage sensors.

Regularly Inspect and Maintain the Air System

Drain air tanks daily to keep moisture out that could freeze up the system. Test the air dryer's purge valve to verify it's not frozen shut during the daily draining, and check the heaters that prevent internal freezing at least once a day. 

Inspect the entire air system at least once a week in the winter since there's a higher risk of corrosion and damage from flying snow and ice during this season.

What Can You Do for Your Exhaust System Before Winter Hits?

Before the worst of the winter weather arrives, consider a few quick maintenance tasks like:

• Replacing the fuel and coolant filters
• Inspecting and replacing air filters and air intake hoses as needed
• Cleaning the hydrocarbon fuel doser and DEF dosing screens if necessary
• Swapping the rusted or weakened exhaust pipes, mufflers, and clamps before ice and snow add extra wear and tear
• Resolving any existing fault codes for up-to-date alerts if something affects your exhaust system's performance

Get Ready for Winter Truck Maintenance with Exhaust Upgrades

Upgrading and updating your truck's exhaust system is the best way to prepare for the winter. Don't let freezing temperatures and snow accumulation lead to issues with your DEF, EGR, or air circulation systems. Truck Pipes USA has everything you need, from mufflers to clamps, to connect the parts together for an exhaust system you can count on all winter long.