I post this almost once a year. Sitting in a quiet office at 4:30 in the morning, I can tell it’s time for a reminder.
Trucks get most of their wear and tear during warm-up. This affects the engine and the gearing, including the transmission. So I want to remind everyone of the proper way to warm up your truck to do the least amount of damage.
When you arrive, do your pre-check, including your tie-down equipment. You look a lot more professional when you have your straps, wrappers, and binders in order. Do the basics. Check your oil, water, and engine belts. Look for leaks.
Fire up the engine. Check your load, lights, and tires. It does not need to sit and idle for 15 minutes. Once you have air built up, pull out slowly and ease it down the road. This allows the gearing to move oil around without putting heavy stress on it.
Take it easy while everything comes up to temperature. This cuts down on cold engine running time, which is when most damage occurs. Do not pour the coal to a cold engine.
For those wondering — yes, I have been a professional truck driver, and yes, this is how I warmed up my truck.
Please take care of your truck and drive safely.
— Troy