Car Not Starting During Winter? Try These Simple Tricks To Get Going

On a cold weekday morning, one of the most dreadful things that could happen is your car refusing to start. Repeated attempts to crank the engine to life fail and you might be questioning your life choices. We share your pair and hence, we are here to help you out. 

The internal combustion engine has been one of the greatest yet most complex innovations from mankind. Countless components come together to make petrol and air ignite, producing little yet controlled explosions that generate enough energy to move the gear linkages and eventually the wheels. Although mega advancements have been made in this field to make modern engines as reliable as possible, there are still a lot of things in the conventional car engine that could go wrong.

The same can be said for electric cars. Despite the lack of a conventional engine, EVs often tend to lose their battery charge owing to excessive temperature fluctuations. The solution here is to park your car in closed garages and ensure that your battery is fully charged, or in good shape. 

But conventional combustion engines are complex and there are a lot of things that can go haywire. The fuel supply, alternator, battery, wiring, etc.. these are just some of the basics. 

While some of them can be fixed instantly, others might require you to consult an expert mechanic. Let's begin with some of the basic ways to get your car started in the cold weather. 

Methods to start your car in cold weather

We have listed some of the common problems that trouble drivers during the winter season. We have also explained why this happens along with easy-to-follow methods so you can eliminate those problems at the drop of a hat and s swiftly.

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Method 1: Check the battery

The first and most common cause of trouble with a cold morning start is the battery. You turn the ignition on and hear nothing, in this case, the battery of the vehicle might be dead.

Before you reach out to your mechanic or a towing service, open the hood and check if the battery terminals are loose. Tighten them and give it another go. If it still doesn't respond, borrow a set of jump leads and try to get the engine started from another car's battery. The engine will most likely start.  

Method 2: Try jumpstart

The process is fairly simple. You need a secondary car with a healthy battery and jumper cables. Turn on the engine of the support car, attach the jumpstart cable from the secondary car to the primary and then try the ignition process on your vehicle. If the battery is the sole issue, the vehicle should start immediately. 

Keep the engine idle for a while to let the alternator deposit some usable charge in the battery. 

Once you get it going, head over to the nearest auto service station and get the battery recharged/replaced.

Method 3: Turn off all the electronics

If your car is having trouble starting, make sure you have switched off all the onboard electronics that gulp down power. This includes headlights, indicators, wipers, the music system, a phone charger, the HVAC fan system, etc. 

This could help reduce the load on the battery and give your car enough power for ignition. 

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Method 4: Check your engine oil

Your car's engine oil works as the lubricant between all the metal parts of the engine. In extremely cold weather, the engine oil often thickens up, increasing engine friction.

This phenomenon puts additional stress on the starter motor which leads to trouble. To avoid this situation, always use the manufacturer’s recommended engine oil for your vehicle during the winter. You will find it mentioned in the owner’s manual.

Method 5: Is the alternator fine?

The alternator is the most crucial component to keep your car running. It converts the mechanical energy from the engine to electrical energy, which is then used to power all the electronics of your car. Signs of a faulty alternator could be many, with the most dangerous ones being a damaged ECU, throttle body and other crucial electronic sensors on the vehicle. Most modern cars indicate such an issue with the 'check engine' indicator. Even if the car starts, you could see a drop in generic performance. 

In such cases, it is better to avoid ignition and get the vehicle towed to the nearest service station to replace the Alternator and other affected components. 

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FAQs

Why does my car battery die in cold weather?

Batteries lose charge in extremely cold weather and the chemical reaction which charges the batteries also slows down. As a result, the battery is drained sometimes. To avoid this, always park your car in a closed parking space, if you have an open parking space, always cover your car. 

Is it okay to start my car and let it idle to warm up in winter?

If you drive any modern car with fuel injectors and ECUs, then the warmup is just a waste of fuel and time. All modern cars have advanced systems that lubricate and make the engine ready to be revved within 30 seconds. If you leave your on idle for a minute on a winter morning, this should not do any harm but has no observable benefits.

How often should I replace my car battery to avoid winter starting issues?

Most modern car batteries last between two to four years, depending on the usage and weather conditions. However, you should get your battery checked before the winter season and on every service to avoid any inconvenience. Always use the manufacturer's recommended battery, mentioned in the owner’s manual of your car.

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