How to start a car in cold weather

How to properly start a car in cold weather - DRIVE2

Evil frosts affect all living things and more. Car owners know firsthand how difficult it is sometimes to start their “swallow” at sub-zero air temperatures.

Numerous attempts at traditional starting of even the most trouble-free engine often end in failure and complete discharge of the battery.

To eliminate such consequences, you need to know a few simple secrets and tricks on how to properly start a car in cold weather.

Why is it difficult to start a car in winter?

To understand the specifics of starting the engine in cold weather, you need to understand the main reasons that complicate this process. Most often, difficulties arise due to the following phenomena: freezing of the battery; increased viscosity of lubricants; formation of condensate in fuel systems; wiring oxide; problems with coolant.

Battery chemicals lose their activity at sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, the lower the thermometer drops, the slower all lead-acid reactions occur. At an air temperature of -18°-20°C, the actual output of a fully charged battery is about 40% of the total resource.

And the performance of a dead battery in severe frosts is generally reduced to a minimum. Therefore, at night it is better to bring the battery into a room with positive temperatures. At subzero temperatures, lubricants noticeably increase in viscosity, which increases the resistance to rotation of the crankshaft and other mechanisms.

Consequently, at the starting moment, the load on the barely “alive”, frozen battery increases greatly, as a result of which it quickly runs out. Using winter oil will significantly reduce the resistance of rotating mechanisms, thereby increasing the performance of the starter.

Another serious problem may be the formation of condensation in the fuel system components. Drops of water contained in gasoline or diesel fuel, when frozen, create plugs that prevent the normal flow of fuel into the combustion chambers. This phenomenon can be prevented by using winter fuel and special additives for it.

It is advisable to refuel only at proven gas stations. Oxidation of terminals and contacts most often occurs with frequent temperature changes. When the engine is turned off, the wires take on the ambient temperature, and during operation of the vehicle they heat up.

This leads to oxidation and poor contact strength, which can also affect normal starting. To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to periodically clean the terminals with a rounded file, and perform all fasteners efficiently.

Coolant has an operating temperature limit, beyond which it can freeze. Rotation of the starter in such cases can lead to breakage of the pump blades and failure of the cooling system.

Operating a car with such a breakdown becomes unacceptable. To avoid such consequences, the technical characteristics of the liquid used must correspond to the climatic characteristics of the region.

How to properly start a car in cold weather

Compliance with the recommendations listed above will significantly simplify starting the engine when the air temperature drops greatly, but does not guarantee one hundred percent success. You can achieve the goal as quickly as possible by adhering to a certain sequence of all actions.

If the battery has been outside for a long time, then before starting the engine, you must turn on all the electrical equipment of the vehicle (high beams, heater, hazard lights, etc.) for a few seconds. A sudden load on the battery will force all its elements to “wake up” and begin to interact.

Several presses of the gas pedal should ensure the supply of fuel to the cylinders. In machines equipped with a manual choke, you can partially or completely close the damper by pulling the handle towards you. You need to start the car in neutral gear with the clutch depressed.

This will save energy on turning the shafts and gears of the gearbox. All attempts to start the engine should be short (3-5 seconds) with half-minute breaks. Prolonged rotation of the starter can quickly discharge the battery, flood the spark plugs, etc.

When the goal is achieved, the engine should be warmed up at medium speed. You need to release the clutch pedal smoothly after 15-20 seconds.

These recommendations will help you start a carburetor car with a manual transmission. The technique of this procedure for other types of machines has its own characteristics.

Proper starting of a diesel engine

The main problem with diesel engines is fuel freezing. Adding kerosene to the fuel at a ratio of 1:5 will solve this issue. You can simplify starting a diesel engine by adhering to the following algorithm of actions: Setting the key to the penultimate position is necessary to warm up the glow plugs.

Carrying out this procedure three to four times will allow you to “wake up” the battery. The choke (if present) should be completely set to “minimum.” Having depressed the clutch, you can begin to turn the starter. The duration of its rotation for a diesel engine is approximately 10 seconds.

And in cases where the car shows signs of “life,” it is best to turn the starter until the end. It is necessary to ensure the fuel supply by smoothly pressing the gas pedal. It is important not to overdo it here, since cold diesel fuel is poorly atomized and can flow into the combustion chamber in a stream, which is very undesirable.

If the engine starts, it should be warmed up at 1500 rpm. You need to keep the clutch pedal depressed for about half a minute. If you release it immediately, there is a risk of stalling.

The current consumption at the starting torque of a diesel unit is one and a half to two times higher than that of a carburetor unit, so it can only be started if the battery is well charged.

Features of injection engines

Such cars must be started using the same method as carburetor cars. A distinctive feature is that the injector initially requires turning the ignition on/off three times.

This procedure will allow the fuel pump to fill the fuel line as much as possible. In this case, you should operate the gas pedal very moderately. If the car flatly refuses to start, then using a medical syringe you need to inject one cube of ether into the rubber of the air pipe.

It is necessary to pierce the hole as close as possible to the throttle assembly.

Important! You should resort to this method only in cases of extreme necessity, since an overdose of ether can lead to serious damage.

How to start a car with automatic transmission

The main factor influencing the technology of starting an engine at sub-zero temperatures is not the type of gearbox, but the type of fuel consumed. Starting cars equipped with an automatic transmission must be guided by the rules suitable for the specific type of engine (carburetor, diesel or injector).

The only feature of cars with automatic transmission is that they do not have a clutch pedal, so you don’t need to press anything additional. In addition, in cases of unsuccessful attempts, you can try to start a vehicle with a manual transmission using a pushrod.

Cars equipped with an automatic transmission are not susceptible to this method.

What to do if the battery is dead

If the battery charge is not enough to rotate the flywheel, you can try to start the car by towing or using the crank, or use the energy of the battery of a nearby vehicle - “light the car” (you will need special starting wires).

If there is no urgent need to leave, you can try to restore the normal operation of your battery: The battery must be taken into a warm room and allowed to “thaw”. It is highly undesirable to use heating devices (hair dryers, heaters, etc.) to speed up the process.

)After acclimatization of the battery, you need to unscrew the top caps of the cans and check the presence of electrolyte in them. If its level is low, then it is necessary to add distilled water to the jars. Using an aerometer and other devices, you should check and adjust the density of the electrolyte.

Place the battery on charge for several hours.

Attention! When servicing the battery, you must strictly observe a set of safety measures, and all procedures must be carried out in a certain sequence.

Important Tips and Recommendations

A number of preventive actions and timely vehicle maintenance will help make it easier to start the engine when the thermometer is negative.

Before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to: clean the injectors or spark plugs; replace the filters of the fuel and oil systems; clean the contacts of the ignition system; drain the sediment formed in the fuel tank; check the level and condition of the coolant; close the radiator curtains.

Important! It is unsafe to warm up the engine and fuel system components using open fire sources. You should also not pour boiling water over the motor, since in severe frost the metal may burst and microcracks may form in the block. Only water at room temperature should be used for heating.

If you follow the described rules and recommendations, starting your car in cold weather will be much easier. And any, even the most severe colds and frosts will turn out to be not as terrible as they are made out to be.

Source: https://www.drive2.ru/b/463375157826684004/

How to start a car in cold weather

So, it’s minus 30 degrees outside, your car is frozen and won’t start, all the ritual dances around it have been performed and you don’t have the energy to waste any more time. Most likely, due to the cold and due to infrequent use of the car, your battery is quite discharged. Follow our tips to understand how to start your car in the cold quickly and correctly.

Tip 1. Check the contact of the terminals with the battery

The car may not start due to poor contact between the terminals and the battery. This can happen not only in severe frost, but also in any other weather. In any case, it is better to check the connections first.

To do this, open the hood of the car and using wrenches (usually a 10-size open-end wrench is suitable) alternately tighten both battery terminals to the limit.

If these manipulations were enough for the car to start, luck is on your side! But if the car still does not start when you turn the ignition key, then your battery is really dead.

Tip 2. Move the battery to a warm place

If you have time (if not, read tip number four), you can unscrew the battery and take it to a warm room to “warm up”. Depending on the room temperature, it will take from 30 minutes to three hours to warm up a frozen battery.

Attention! Do not under any circumstances try to heat the battery with heat sources; this is dangerous for your health and the performance of the battery. Only gentle warming at room temperature is suitable here.

Tip 3. Recharge the battery from the charger

Again, if you have at least an hour of time, we recommend charging the battery. Either take the battery home, or charge it on site, of course, if you have an outlet and charger handy.

To recharge the battery, you need to disconnect the car terminals from the battery and connect the charger clamps in their place. Plus to plus, minus, respectively to minus. A half-hour charge will probably be enough.

Tip 4. Boost your car battery with headlights

To start a frozen car without removing the battery, try to cheer it up. To do this, turn on the low or high beam headlights for 15-20 seconds. And only after that turn the key in the starter.

The car engine should start, and if this does not happen immediately, wait a couple of minutes and repeat the manipulations with the high beam headlights.

If the car does not start after 3 approaches, this is a serious matter, the battery is completely discharged and you need to change your strategy.

Tip 5. “Light up” from another car

Take off your gloves, raise your right hand parallel to the ground and bend your thumb. Catch a passing car and beg the savior to give you a light. To properly and safely light one car from another you need to take three simple steps:

Remember: The black terminal of the battery is negative, the red terminal is positive.

Using wires with cigarette lighter clips, first connect the positive terminal of the discharged battery and the same positive terminal of the charged one. With the second wire, connect the negative terminal of the charged battery and, attention!!!, ground (the metal part of the car engine). Do not connect the negative terminals to each other.
First you need to start the car with a charged battery. Let it run at 2000 rpm for 20 minutes. This time will be enough for your frozen battery to be recharged from the donor to the level necessary to start the engine on its own.
Start your car and, if the start is complete, let both cars work together for another 5-10 minutes. Disconnect the wires from the batteries in reverse order.

Before starting to drive, we recommend idling a little to increase the charge in the battery a little more.

Tip 6. Try to push start the car

There are no other cars in the area, and the previous advice did not apply? No problem, we will help you start your car in this terrible frost in another way.

Attention! This method of starting a car is only suitable for owners of a car with a manual transmission and, preferably, a carburetor.

In our case, we cannot do without outside help. You'll need another pair of hands. One steers, the other pushes. We start the car from the pushrod. Basic Rules:

The one in the cabin turns the ignition key and, keeping the clutch pressed, puts the gear shift lever on speed II or III.
Anyone who is less fortunate and who pushes a car in the cold accelerates it to at least a speed of 10 km/h. This is the speed of a leisurely run.
Smoothly release the clutch and the car should start. Let the car warm up for at least 10 minutes.

Tip 7. Start the car using special equipment

If there is a car service nearby, they can quickly help you start your car engine. Nowadays, portable starter-chargers are increasingly used. This is the easiest and safest way to start your car in cold weather.

Watch a video about various jump starters:

Tip 8. Buy a new battery

This is the most expensive way to start a car in cold weather. Buy a new battery, and a high-power one. All new batteries are sold in a charged state and you will start the car with half a turn.

Other reasons why a car won't start in cold weather

If the battery is in good condition and fully charged, it is possible that the car will not start in cold weather for the following reasons:

Spark plugs are flooded;
The starter is faulty;
Engine oil is too thick;
The ignition system is misregulated;
The fuel supply is interrupted or the gasoline is of poor quality.

Timely prevention will help you not to worry about how to start your car in minus 30

The key to a calm winter for drivers is timely prevention. It is better to change the oil in mid-autumn, giving preference to types with an alphanumeric index 5w or 0w. Such oils will not thicken even at -30 degrees. Also, don’t forget to change your fuel, air and oil filters in the fall.

In addition, in order not to worry about how to start the car in minus 30, it would not hurt to check the level and density of the electrolyte, if necessary, change the washer and antifreeze, check the spark plugs, armored wires, tension of the generator and its charging.

Kolodiychuk Andrey , specially for ByCars.ru

Source: https://bycars.ru/journal/kak-zavesti-mashinu-v-moroz_2896

How to start a car correctly in cold weather

Evil frosts affect all living things and more. Car owners know firsthand how difficult it is sometimes to start their “swallow” at sub-zero air temperatures. Numerous attempts at traditional starting of even the most trouble-free engine often end in failure and complete discharge of the battery.

To eliminate such consequences, you need to know a few simple secrets and tricks on how to properly start a car in cold weather.

Why is it difficult to start a car in winter?

To understand the specifics of starting an engine in cold weather, you need to understand the main reasons that complicate this process. Most often, difficulties arise due to the following phenomena:

battery freezing;
increased viscosity of lubricants;
formation of condensate in fuel systems;
wiring oxide;
problems with coolant.

Battery chemicals lose their activity at sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, the lower the thermometer drops, the slower all lead-acid reactions occur.

At an air temperature of -18°-20°C, the actual output of a fully charged battery is about 40% of the total resource. And the performance of a dead battery in severe frosts is generally reduced to a minimum. Therefore, it is better to bring the battery into a room with positive temperatures at night.

Video - how to start a frozen car (“Main Road”):

At subzero temperatures, lubricants noticeably increase in viscosity, which increases the resistance to rotation of the crankshaft and other mechanisms.

Consequently, at the starting moment, the load on the barely “alive”, frozen battery increases greatly, as a result of which it quickly runs out.

Using winter oil will significantly reduce the resistance of rotating mechanisms, thereby increasing the performance of the starter.

Another serious problem may be the formation of condensation in the fuel system components. Drops of water contained in gasoline or diesel fuel, when frozen, create plugs that prevent the normal flow of fuel into the combustion chambers. This phenomenon can be prevented by using winter fuel and special additives for it. It is advisable to refuel only at proven gas stations.

Video - what devices help you start your car in cold weather without problems:

Oxidation of terminals and contacts most often occurs with frequent temperature changes. When the engine is turned off, the wires take on the ambient temperature, and during operation of the vehicle they heat up. This leads to oxidation and poor contact strength, which can also affect normal starting.

To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to periodically clean the terminals with a rounded file, and perform all fasteners efficiently.

Video - possible problems after starting the car incorrectly in winter:

Coolant has an operating temperature limit, beyond which it can freeze. Rotation of the starter in such cases can lead to breakage of the pump blades and failure of the cooling system.

Operating a car with such a breakdown becomes unacceptable. To avoid such consequences, the technical characteristics of the liquid used must correspond to the climatic characteristics of the region.

How to properly start a car in cold weather

Compliance with the recommendations listed above will significantly simplify starting the engine when the air temperature drops significantly, but does not yet guarantee one hundred percent success.

Video on how to properly start a car in cold weather:

You can achieve your goal as quickly as possible by adhering to a certain sequence of all actions.

If the battery has been outside for a long time, then before starting the engine, you must turn on all the electrical equipment of the vehicle (high beams, heater, hazard lights, etc.) for a few seconds. A sudden load on the battery will force all its elements to “wake up” and begin to interact.

Several presses of the gas pedal should ensure the supply of fuel to the cylinders. In machines equipped with a manual choke, you can partially or completely close the damper by pulling the handle towards you.

You need to start the car in neutral gear with the clutch depressed. This will save energy on turning the shafts and gears of the gearbox.

All attempts to start the engine should be brief (3-5 seconds) with half-minute breaks. Prolonged rotation of the starter can quickly discharge the battery, flood the spark plugs, etc.

When the goal is achieved, the engine should be warmed up at medium speed. You need to release the clutch pedal smoothly after 15-20 seconds.

These recommendations will help you start a carburetor car with a manual transmission. The technique of this procedure for other types of machines has its own characteristics.

Proper starting of a diesel engine

Setting the key to the penultimate position is necessary to warm up the glow plugs. Performing this procedure three to four times will “wake up” the battery.

The choke (if present) should be set completely to “minimum”.

By squeezing the clutch, you can start turning the starter. The duration of its rotation for a diesel engine is approximately 10 seconds. And in cases where the car shows signs of “life,” it is best to turn the starter until the bitter end.

It is necessary to ensure the fuel supply by smoothly pressing the gas pedal. It is important not to overdo it here, since cold diesel fuel is poorly atomized and can flow into the combustion chamber in a stream, which is very undesirable.

If the engine starts, it should be warmed up at 1500 rpm. You need to keep the clutch pedal depressed for about half a minute. If you release it immediately, there is a risk of stalling.

Video about starting a diesel engine in cold weather:

The current consumption at the starting torque of a diesel unit is one and a half to two times higher than that of a carburetor unit, so it can only be started if the battery is well charged.

Features of injection engines

Such cars must be started using the same method as carburetor cars. A distinctive feature is that the injector initially requires turning the ignition on/off three times. This procedure will allow the fuel pump to fill the fuel line as much as possible. The gas pedal should be used very moderately.

Video - how to start a car in severe frost:

If the car flatly refuses to start, then using a medical syringe you need to inject one cube of ether into the rubber of the air pipe. It is necessary to pierce the hole as close as possible to the throttle assembly.

How to start a car with automatic transmission

What to do if the battery is dead

If the battery charge is not enough to rotate the flywheel, you can try to start the car by towing or using the crank, or use the energy of the battery of a nearby vehicle - “light the car” (you will need special starting wires).

If there is no urgent need to travel, you can try to restore normal operation of your battery:

The battery must be brought into a warm room and allowed to “thaw”. It is highly undesirable to use heating devices (hair dryers, heaters, etc.) to speed up the process.

After acclimatization of the battery, you need to unscrew the top caps of the cans and check the presence of electrolyte in them. If its level is low, then it is necessary to add distilled water to the jars. Using an aerometer and other devices, you should check and adjust the density of the electrolyte.

Place the battery on charge for several hours.

Important Tips and Recommendations

A number of preventive actions and timely vehicle maintenance will help make it easier to start the engine when the thermometer is negative.

Before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to:

Video - tips on how to start a car in cold weather:

May be of interest:

Source: http://voditeliauto.ru/sovety-voditelej/kak-zavesti-mashinu-v-moroz.html

How to start a car in cold weather

Winter is a time of year that tests the experience and basic knowledge of a car enthusiast, which begins with certain subtleties of driving and ends with how to basicly care for a car.

Perhaps the offer of a tractor station in a nearby village may seem tempting, but in winter it makes sense to look only for gas stations of large chains. As for diesel fuel, such gas stations are required to sell so-called winter fuel from the beginning of December to the end of February.

It must work reliably at temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. A number of gas stations offer even more “capable” fuel, which, due to enrichment with additives, can withstand lower temperatures.

Don’t forget that you can buy additives separately and mix them with the fuel yourself.

Keep the battery warm

The battery is the key element that supplies the engine with the energy it needs to start. If you expect unprecedented cold weather to arrive, carefully remove the battery from the car. He will definitely be better off in your home in the hallway than on the street on a frosty night. At the same time, you can check whether it is charged enough.

Before starting the car, let’s “wake up” our battery: turn on the heated rear window, fog lights, and just for a few seconds turn on the low beam (for 15 or 20 seconds) or high beam (10 seconds). Then the electrolyte will warm up a little and its capacity will increase.

Let's turn off the heater, heated rear window, air conditioning, radio and headlights. Let's depress the clutch and start starting. If the engine is fuel-injected, then we do not press the gas.

Very often, in 10 or 12 seconds, that is, the first time, the engine does not start, here you need to turn off everything, wait another half a minute and repeat the operation.

Keep cables ready with you

Not only a friend, but also a friendly driver passing by can save you from battery problems. People, of course, as a rule, do not carry cables with them to connect to the battery.

Therefore, have your own equipment prepared for an emergency. If you can start the car this way, you can drive safely. But in order for your battery to “come to its senses,” definitely do not turn off the engine after completing your five-kilometer journey to work.

The engine must run for an hour for the battery to return to its original state.

The points

We remove moisture (maybe there is some) from the high-voltage wires. There are various sprays (WD-40) for this purpose.
If the battery is already very discharged, ask to “light it” using wires. They, like the cable, should always be in the car. From experience I will say that the first question that other drivers ask when asked to “light a cigarette” is: “Are there any wires?” If you have connected the wires to your car in advance, then you are unlikely to be refused. By starting the car using wires from another, you provide more voltage to the spark plugs, which means better sparking and more intense rotation of the engine by the starter. When starting from wires, you should also remember about “flooding” the spark plugs and the need to take breaks between attempts.
If the engine does not start using the wires, there is only one way left - with a rope. First, agree in advance on the signal when your car will start (so that you are not dragged around the entire neighborhood when your car’s engine has already warmed up, let alone started). Do not engage first gear to start. Usually start from second or even third gear, since it is easier to drag your car, in addition, it ensures straight movement and does not cause the wheels to slip or the entire car to drift to the side. As soon as the engine starts, try to use the gas pedal to prevent it from stalling again and at the same time depress the clutch and disengage the gear. Only then honk and brake.
Let the engine warm up. You can warm up the engine by increasing the speed with the pedal, since the idle system will maintain 800 rpm and the engine will take a long time to warm up.
Please note that when working on an agricultural vehicle and even with the headlights on, the battery practically does not charge. Charging begins while driving, when the engine speed exceeds 1200.
Do not turn on the stove right away. Let the engine warm up first.
Be sure to warm up the automatic transmission, since you won’t get far with cold, thick oil and risk damaging the automatic transmission.

Source: http://expert.ru/2013/11/28/kak-zavesti-mashinu-v-zimnij-moroz/

How to start in cold weather? Tips on how to start a car in winter. Rules and recommendations for starting a car engine in cold weather

The weather has given way to winter cold and every motorist, if his car does not “live” in a warm, heated garage, is worried about starting the engine after severe cooling.

In addition, in severe frosts it can be very problematic to simply get into the interior of your car, as the seals freeze and the locks freeze (car chemicals will help).

Therefore, the question very often arises: How to start a car in cold weather ?

If the problem is not only this, but also the opening of the door, then you need to take precautions to take some effective measures that will help prevent the lock from freezing.

For example, you can smear rubber door seals with silicone grease or spray a product like WD-40 into the lock itself.

After preventing the door lock from freezing, you should turn your attention to the main problem in winter - how to start a cold engine.

A car with all serviceable parts, that is, in good condition, should start in frosts down to minus 15 ° C without the driver using various manipulations.

If the temperature outside is below the specified value, then various methods for starting the engine when cold (starting it in cold weather) may be quite useful.

Tips for starting the engine in cold weather

If you are sure that your car is in full working order, then in order to start in cold weather , it is better not to neglect the methods presented below.

Turn on the ignition and, without starting the engine, allow the fuel pump to pump in gasoline for several minutes.
Warm up the battery before starting the car: turn on the high beams and wait 10 seconds. When turning on the starter, turn off all electrical appliances in order to minimize the load on the battery . After turning off the headlights, after the specified time, you can try to start the car. If your “iron horse” has a manual transmission, then before starting for the first time after a cold night, you should depress the clutch. For greater reliability, hold the clutch for several minutes, which will not allow the car to stall and will significantly facilitate the operation of a frozen engine.
if the car cannot start for a long time, then you can press the gas pedal all the way and turn on the starter. At the same time, the combustion chambers are purged of any fuel that may have accumulated there as a result of failed attempts to start.
If there is “summer” fuel left in the tank of a diesel engine before the onset of cold weather, then such a car will really be difficult to start, since it can thicken in the tank or turn into a very thick, paraffin-like mass that accumulates in the injection pump - high pressure fuel pump or filter , as well as injectors. In such cases , carefully pour boiling water onto these parts of the car so as not to accidentally flood the starter and generator. It’s better to first cover them with a plastic bag. The most reliable way to prevent this problem is to install a preheater.
Owners of a car with a gasoline engine may also have difficulty starting it in the cold. Low temperatures prevent the normal evaporation of gasoline, and with high humidity there is a risk of “flooding” the candles with this cold gasoline . If this option has already happened, you should unscrew the spark plugs and check whether the petals and graphite rod are wet. If so, you can either screw in a spare set of candles, or heat the wet candles over a gas stove. Heated spark plugs ensure that the engine starts the first time.
Another common problem is coolant freezing, which can cause the engine to overheat. Then you should turn off the engine for ten to fifteen minutes, you don’t have to open the hood. In such cases, more than one ice plug is formed , which can be melted using the above method. To avoid causing a breakdown, call a tow truck to deliver the car to a warm garage to replace the coolant with a more frost-resistant one.
Many experts recommend that you warm up the engine to the lowest limit of its operating temperature. In order not to bother analyzing problems in the middle of the road, you should not neglect this advice and drive the “heart” of the car that is not warmed up with all the devices on, such as the heater, headlights, and so on.
After insufficient warming up, the engine should not be turned off again, as it may not start the first time. Wait a couple of minutes and try again - this will avoid unnecessary stress on the battery and starter.

Of course, these tips will be very helpful in the cold season, but it is better to take several preventive measures so that no problems with starting the car in winter arise at all.

Before the start of winter, you should: update the oil, use coolant of the correct concentration, refuel only with proven, high-quality fuel , fully check the battery (add distilled fluid and take it home if possible), replace spark plugs or check old ones for working condition, clean all contacts from oxidation, including starter, alternator, coil, sensors, explosive wires and battery. It would be a good idea to change all filters from oil to fuel and air, and also insulate the engine and radiator of the car.

Source: https://etlib.ru/blog/129-kak-zavestis-v-moroz

How to start a car in cold weather

Advertising

Not every car can pass the cold test. And not all car enthusiasts know what to do with frozen equipment and how to properly start a car in cold weather.

For Russia, the problem of winter car operation is especially relevant, because most of the country is subject to severe frosts. To successfully minimize engine starting time in cold weather, the machine must be properly prepared.

What needs to be done before winter

As they say, the best treatment is prevention. So in our case, the most effective way to start the car quickly and without problems in winter is to pre-prepare the car:

Battery

The battery is the most vulnerable part of the car in cold weather. It often depends on it whether the car will start or remain “bored” in the yard. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to the battery and ensuring it is fully operational.

First, the service life is checked - if it exceeds 3 years, then the battery is at risk and may not cope with the coming winter. There are two options: wait until the battery “dies a natural death” in a fight with the cold, or replace it with a new one in advance, protecting yourself from unpleasant surprises.

The battery must have sufficient power and hold a charge well. The terminals and contacts must be cleaned to ensure complete electrical conductivity.

Starter

The starter is the second most important part of the car, responsible for starting the engine. A lot depends on him. It’s just very difficult to predict in advance when its functionality will end.

Usually “death” comes quickly, in one moment. But sometimes hints of an imminent breakdown appear in advance, such as sluggish torsion or extraneous sounds before starting. In this case, it is worth replacing the starter in advance, before the onset of cold weather.

Candles

Spark plugs also need inspection. A half-dead spark can start a car in the warm season, but in cold weather it will not cope. If the car regularly undergoes maintenance, then the spark plugs are probably new and suitable for difficult conditions, but if not, then the owner should replace them himself.

Oil

The oil must be fresh and suitable in composition for our temperatures. Otherwise, it will thicken, prevent the engine from cranking, and no amount of prayer to start the car in cold weather will help.

Nowadays, medium-viscosity synthetics are most often used and, by default, this is what is poured for maintenance. If you are not sure that the car has an all-season product, it is better to play it safe and change it before frost. New oil filters are also installed.

Coolant

It is permissible to use only antifreeze in the cooling system at sub-zero temperatures. Frozen water can not only prevent the car from starting, but also completely disable it.

Fuel

Fuel should be used of proven quality and filled at gas stations that inspire confidence. Foreign impurities and water will complicate the operation of the machine in cold weather. As for diesel fuel, only the winter option is applicable here and only responsible oil and gas companies replace diesel fuel with a suitable one in a timely manner.

How to start a car correctly

Even if the equipment is fully prepared, it is not a fact that it will definitely start. After all, it depends not only on her, but also on the driver. Incorrect actions can not only interfere with the start-up, but also cause breakdown of components and assemblies.

First of all, on a cold morning you need to prepare the car to start the engine. When figuring out how to properly start a car in cold weather, the injector of which has completely cooled down, let’s note a couple of nuances.

The main thing that needs to be done first is to “cheer up” the battery. To do this, turn on the lights or music for a few seconds. So, the battery will start working faster.

When starting the engine, you must depress the clutch pedal. In this case, the load is removed from the gearbox gear, and the car can only crank the engine. The fuel pump needs to be given time to pump up gasoline, so do not rush to immediately turn the key all the way, give it a few seconds.

Turn the ignition and listen to see if the engine catches. If the car starts the first time, congratulations! In practice, it often happens that at very low temperatures the engine does not start immediately.

The basic rules for starting a car in cold weather, the injector of which has frozen, say that you cannot crank the starter for more than ten seconds at a time. That is, if the car does not start within this period, you need to turn off the ignition, give it a rest and only then try again.

Diesel engines, on the contrary, are advised to start with one turn of the key, without rest breaks.

Once the car starts, give it time to warm up. You shouldn’t immediately turn on the lights, music and heater - the car itself needs to “gain strength”.

It is advisable to drive the first kilometers slowly and calmly, without aggravating the load on frozen components and assemblies.

What to do if the car won't start

Not long ago a video was released where “Ural dumplings” start a car in the cold. It’s worth a look, because there are a great many cases when the equipment never started. What to do if the car still doesn’t want to work in the cold - let’s consider possible actions:

If the battery does not work or has died due to futile attempts to start the engine, there are several options for resolving the problem. The first is to replace it with another one. This method is rarely used; not everyone has a spare battery with them. You can, of course, borrow it from a neighbor, the main thing is that he doesn’t mind and the battery fits the parameters.
The second option is to take the battery home for charging or heating. It helps well, but it takes a lot of time.
The third method is lighting with wires. A very effective method, but no less dangerous. In no case should the polarities be confused, otherwise you can burn the electronics of both the non-starting vehicle and the “donor”. In the case of an injector, it is better not to risk direct lighting, but to remove the battery and connect wires from another car to it for charging. After a few minutes, you can put the slightly charged battery back in place and try to start it again;
If the battery is working, but starting does not occur, then the problem may be in the starter - in this case, it will need to be replaced. Some drivers will try to push start the car. Not a very sound decision, considering the state of the frost-stiffened units, frosted windows and chilled driver. But here, let them decide for themselves, the main thing is to know that cars with automatic transmission cannot be started from a pusher, and injection engines can have unpleasant consequences after such experiments.
There are other reasons why a vehicle won’t start: flooded spark plugs, thickened oil, frozen exhaust pipe, incorrect ignition adjustment, bad fuel or summer diesel fuel. Here you need to figure it out and carefully inspect the car for possible faults. If you can’t do it yourself, then either wait for warmer weather and hope for a miracle, or take the car to a service center.

Winter is a difficult test for technology. Extremely low temperatures affect engines, electronics, and chassis components. Proper preparation of the car for frost, although it is not able to protect against all weather surprises, will increase the chances of “revitalizing” the car in deep minus.

Act correctly when starting the engine, and the likelihood that the car will start will increase significantly!

Advertising

Source: https://allroader.ru/zavesti-mashinu-v-moroz-62538-2/