Hey, Peeps. Have you ever wondered why your car won’t start in the cold and how you can fix it?
In winter, has it ever happened to you ? that you have an important meeting and you’re getting late, but your stubborn car is not starting? Winter affects not only the human body but also our Cars. Due to low temperatures, cars tend to have ignition problems. Oil, transmission fluids, and essential fluids tend to freeze. This leads to blockage in engines, resulting in the car not starting.
We will list various reasons in winter that make it difficult for our car to start.
Common Reasons Your Car Won't Start in Cold Weather
1. Battery Issues
Batteries work due to their chemical reaction property that stores electricity; cold weather slows down the ability of the battery to hold a charge as the electron in the battery also freezes. Identify the signs of a weak battery by checking its warning light, looking at its corroded battery terminal, or checking a swollen battery case. To save battery, unload all the loads such as light, phone chargers, radio, and wiper heater. This will limit the unnecessary use of the battery.
2. Thickened Engine Oil
Due to cold weather, the viscosity of the oil and other lubricants in the car increases, overloading the battery function and leading to a discharged battery. Lubricants with higher density increase the rotational resistance of the crankshaft, so one needs to use winter oil to reduce the resistance and improve the starter performance of the Car.
3. Fuel System Problems
On cold days, cars work at the optimum temperature. The viscosity of oil increases, leading to friction in the moving parts and to increased use of fuel, as well as the electrical components such as the heater, wiper, and defroster. This puts a lot of load on the battery; gasoline needs to vaporize to burn; a lower temperature makes that process difficult as the gasoline limit drops in the tank. Confusion happens, which gets into the fuel pipeline, increasing the temperature than water can freeze the fuel line, preventing gasoline from reaching the engine. All these reasons collectively contribute to the problem in the fuel system of our car.
To counter these problems, park your car in the garage, use high-quality engine oil, and limit the usage of electrical components.
4. Faulty Spark Plugs
The spark plug helps in car ignition by igniting the air & fuel mixture in the engine combustion chamber, creating explosion power for the Car to move; due to increased density in oil, moisture condensation, and metal part contraction leads to unusual voice & failure to start, and leading to poor acceleration as well.
5. Starter Motor Issues
The starter motor uses electricity from the battery to jolt the Car. Cold weather leads to a frozen starter, slow engine turnover, and higher density oil, which causes friction, decreasing the ability of the battery to hold charge. Some symptoms to detect the starter motor issue are no response when starting a car, cranking slowly, and having a clicking sound while turning the key; identifying it early will save the Car’s life span.
Quick Fixes to Start Your Car in Cold Weather
- Use an electric engine warming blanket to park the car in the garage.
- Turn everything off, which is draining the battery.
- Keep the gas tank above half to limit condensation.
- Use engine oil suitable for winter, check the oil level, and change it accordingly.
- Jumpstart your car.
I hope these points have given enough information to avoid getting stranded on a cold night; following these tips will keep your car junk-free and ready to use whenever required without any frustration.