While there are several important steps to take to prepare a truck for winter, the latest addition to that critical to-do list is arguably one of the most important: Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) maintenance.
The list of ADAS features on newer Class 8 trucks is long and growing with automatic braking, lane departure alerts and automatic cruise control topping the list of favorites.
However, if ADAS components are not properly maintained during freezing, snow-filled winters, that can mean losing that all-important edge on safety.
“Advance Driver Safety Systems rely on cameras and radars to identify road markings, signs, surrounding vehicles, pedestrians and other threats,” said Joe Puff, vice president of truck technology and maintenance at NationaLease.
“These safety components require clean, unobstructed, and precise mounting to operate effectively,” Puff continued. “In the winter, these components can get packed with dirt, snow, and ice making the system less effective or causing it not to work at all. Drivers should regularly inspect the cameras and radars to ensure they are unobstructed and clean.”
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