Winter means bright snow, hot cocoa, holidays with friends and family, and a pensive time for reflection. However, for truck drivers, the winter season is...less idyllic. While ice-covered roads and whiteout conditions can certainly take their toll on drivers, they're not the only things they have to worry about when temperatures start to drop. Because as cold as you might feel, remember that your truck doesn't get a break from the cold. Its engine feels every degree, and if not properly cared for, it'll stall up on you — or worse.

Wondering why it takes so long for semi-truck repairs? Well, you and every other truck driver waiting in the shop are wondering the same thing. When you’re stuck at the shop, you’re not making money. You might get some financial support if you’re a company driver, but as a lease driver you’re not only paying for repairs but you’re also losing money on all the loads you could be hauling.

When you go into a car dealership for a new vehicle, you want something nice and well-taken care of. At a dealership, can you guarantee that the new-to-you vehicle went through a thorough inspection and everything on it was fixed that needed to be taken care of? Nope. That car that was 500 miles from needing new brakes didn’t get new brakes. That huge dent didn’t get buffed out.

Are you about to turn in your lease truck? Whether you’re switching carriers or jumping into another, newer truck, the last thing you want is to have to pay back a ton of money to get your truck in good shape for the next driver.