I. Case Background: Government Procurement Practice — Transforming ‘Bottlenecks’ into ‘Clearing Points’ In winter 2025, a municipal sanitation department in Ma'anshan procured a batch of Dongfeng single-cab blue license plate sludge suction trucks (5 m³ capacity) for cleaning rainwater pipelines and sewage wells in aging urban districts. According to publicly released tender information, the budgeted unit price was approximately RMB 131,000; ultimately, Chengli Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd. delivered six units. These vehicles are primarily used for routine pipeline clearing, bottom-of-manhole sludge suction, and emergency repairs under low-temperature winter conditions. As a frontline driver, the author personally participated in the test drive and subsequent three-month high-frequency operation of one unit. Today, we share an authentic operational assessment from the driver’s perspective—particularly focusing on freeze-resistant starting performance, low-temperature hydraulic system stability, and winter maintenance protocols: key concerns raised by Ma'anshan’s procurement authority. II. Driver’s Perspective: Operational Convenience and Ease of Operation with a Class C Driver’s License 1. Basic Vehicle Specifications This sludge suction truck features a Dongfeng single-cab chassis, powered by either a Quanchai or Yunnnei Tier VI diesel engine. Its official model reference is CLW5070GSSD6 series (a Chengli platform product). Overall vehicle dimensions are kept within 5,995 mm in length, ~2,000 mm in width, and ~2,500 mm in height—fully compliant with blue license plate and Class C driving license requirements. The 5 m³ tank, combined with a vacuum pump and high-pressure cleaning system, enables integrated operations including sludge suction, sediment removal, and transport. 2. Operational Convenience: ‘Car-Like’ Handling Among Light-Duty Trucks Previously, the author operated yellow-license-plate sludge suction trucks, where maneuvering in old residential neighborhoods felt like taking a driving theory exam. In contrast, this Dongfeng single-cab blue license plate truck offers a small turning radius, power-assisted steering, light clutch engagement, and smooth gear shifting with strong tactile feedback. Most notably, even drivers holding only a Class C1 license can operate it independently after just half a day of training. Standard equipment includes rear-view camera and parking radar; the nighttime lighting system fully covers the rear work area; and the side mirrors feature heating functionality—especially practical during Ma'anshan’s foggy, frost-prone winter mornings. Additionally, the cab adopts a single-row layout. Although less spacious than dual-row configurations, it provides adjustable seats, excellent forward visibility, and ample headroom—even for drivers up to 1.75 meters tall. 3. Ease of Operation with a Class C License: Effortless for Novice Drivers Many municipal authorities worry that although blue license plate vehicles are legally operable with a Class C license, their hydraulic systems may be too complex for inexperienced drivers. In practice, Chengli equipped these units with an all-in-one hydraulic control panel featuring one-touch operation. Functions—including vacuum pump activation, high-pressure pump control, tank lifting, and rear cover locking—are fully integrated into a touchscreen display and physical buttons located on the right side of the cab. Prior to departure, the driver simply presses the ‘Operation Mode’ button, and the system automatically adjusts engine RPM and hydraulic pressure accordingly. A female colleague at our unit—who had driven passenger cars for ten years but never operated special-purpose vehicles—mastered core operations within two hours. III. Winter Performance Testing: Three Key Concerns Raised by Ma'anshan’s Procurement Authority Ma'anshan experiences winter lows approaching –10°C, coupled with high humidity and frequent frost formation. Prior to procurement, the