Maritime Ride & Pride
It's not what we do.... It's who we are....
From The Driver's Toolbox
As we all know, breakdowns usually catch us at the most unfortune time: Out on the road. Service calls are not only costly in the wallet, but in the logbook/elog. Many times we can make do, SAFELY, to "bring 'er home". Let's share some of our experiences, tricks, and knowledge on some common issues. Please note: We do not represent professional technical advice, merely our own tricks from professional experiences. PLEASE do not attempt anything not comfortable with, or that will endanger yourself and others.
Boiling battery :smell of rotten eggs
The first indication of a "boiling battery" is the distinct smell of "rotten eggs". Usually not an immediate danger, but at your earliest safe spot, park your truck, turn key off. Prefferably wear a face shield or at least safety glasses, gloves. Carefuly remove box cover, visualize the apparent battery with wet top, possibly swollen. Touch battery sides, normally only one will be hot to touch. Locate the ground, carefully disconnect that terminal. Note, in the event that connection is the lead going towards the frame, you will need to reconnect it to the circuit via another ground terminal. Your truck will work fine on 3 batteries, or even two in most cases.
Fuel Additives: Howes vs Diesel 911
The use of these additives are often misguided, and overlooked by drivers.
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One of our FB followers writes:
Joe Xxxxx that's still overkill...you realize Howes isn't a de-icer...the way fuel conditioner works is that it reduces the water molecules size to make it "flow" easier when at freezing Temps....the "911" version contains more methyl hydrate to un-gel fuel
Stuck on slippery slick ice
Tried and tested by yours truly, and old trick passed-on from other drivers over the years, tested just recently.
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When slipping on pure clear ice, either unhooking, hooking, or simply moving; engage all your differential locks as well as your power divider, pour up to a jug equally over all four duals such as it drips towards the side (front/back) of the tires facing the direction you're going, release brakes, slowly & steadily crawl out of your situation. Works wonders!
"Haters" will dispute the alcohol content in the w-washer isn't good on the rubbers, then again, so is squeeling tires over rocks.....