Starting a car in cold weather. Not just cable shooting

Low temperatures can damage even a serviceable car. The most common cause of ignition problems is a weak battery. But there are other reasons as well. How to deal with such moments?

The problem of sprinters

Frost and moisture are the enemies of the car's electrical system. At low temperatures, the battery, i.e. the battery of our car, most often refuses to obey. The problem mainly affects older car owners and drivers who drive only short distances.

– In the case of a car that has driven two to three kilometers after starting the engine and then parked again, the problem may be with the alternator charging the battery. It is simply not able to compensate for the loss of electricity at such a short distance, which occurs when starting the engine, explains Rafal Krawiec from the Honda Sigma Car service in Rzeszow.

See also: Ten things to check in the car before winter. Guide

Then the morning start can be troublesome. In other cases, if the battery is in good condition, frost should not prevent the engine from starting. Parking power consumption is minimal, in most vehicles the only device that uses the battery when the ignition is off is the alarm. If, despite this, the car causes trouble in the morning and you have to “turn” the starter for a long time to start it, it is worth checking the condition of the battery. This can be done using a tester, which is available from most services and battery stores.

- The tester is attached to the clips and after a while we get information about the level of battery consumption on the printout. This is the most reliable way to check its suitability,” says Rafal Kravets.

See also: How to prepare a diesel engine for winter - a guide

The further procedure depends on the result. If the battery is not old, you can try to save. To do this, check the electrolyte level and top up with distilled water if necessary. To cover the lead plates in the cells. Then connect the battery to the charger. It is best to charge it longer, but with a weaker current. This can be done in the so-called service batteries.

Most batteries sold today are maintenance free. In a maintenance-free battery, we observe the color of a special indicator, the so-called magic eye: green (charged), black (recharging is needed), white or yellow - out of order (replacement). 

“Today's batteries should last four years. After this time, they can become unpleasant. Therefore, even if this is a maintenance-free device, it is worth checking the electrolyte level once a year and connecting it to charging. When that doesn't work, all that's left is to replace it with a new one, says car mechanic Stanislav Plonka.

See also: Preparing varnish for the winter. The wax will help keep the shine

By the way, the driver should also check the condition of the high-voltage cables. Old and rotten are subject to punctures as a result of widespread dampness in winter. Then there will also be problems with starting the engine. The car may also jerk while driving.

Click here to learn how to start your car with jumper cables

Not only the battery

But the battery and cables shouldn't be the only cause of problems. If the headlights come on after you turn the key, but the engine won't even start, the prime suspect is the starter motor. He also does not favor low temperatures, especially if he is already old.

- The most common malfunctions are associated with wear of brushes, bendix and bushings. In cars where the starter is not covered by a special casing, it is much easier to find them. In winter, brushes tend to get stuck. Hitting the starter with a blunt object sometimes helps, but usually the effect is temporary. “It is better to repair the part right away,” says Stanislav Plonka.

See also: Car sales in 2012. What discounts do dealers offer?

In most popular car models, the starter serves approximately 150 thousand. km. Faster regeneration is required if the driver drives only short distances and starts and stops the engine more frequently. Usually indicates a need for repair at low temperatures, difficult starting and creaking sounds. A complete starter regeneration costs around PLN 70-100, and a new part for a popular compact and middle-class car costs even PLN 700-1000.

Check the generator

The last suspect is a generator. The fact that something is wrong with it may be indicated by the charging indicator, which does not go out after starting the engine. This is usually a sign that the alternator is not charging the battery. When the current stored in the battery is depleted, the car stops. The generator is an alternator connected by a belt to the crankshaft. Its task is to charge the battery while driving.

See also: Repair and adjustment of HBO. What should be done before winter?

– The most common malfunctions are related to the wear of the regulator brushes, bearings and wear ring. They are more common in vehicles where the alternator is exposed to external factors such as water and, in winter, salt. If this element does not work properly, the car will not go far, even if it has a new battery, adds Stanislav Plonka. Generator regeneration costs about PLN 70-100. A new part for a middle-class car that is several years old can cost PLN 1000-2000.

Do not push or tow the vehicle 

JIf the car won't start, try starting it with jumper cables (see the gallery below for how to do this). Mechanics, however, do not advise forcibly starting the car by persistently turning the key. In this way, you can only completely discharge the battery and damage the injection system. We do not, under any circumstances, start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle with another vehicle. The timing belt may jump and the catalytic converter may be damaged.

Be careful where you refuel

In cold weather, the wrong fuel can also cause starting problems. This applies in particular to diesel fuel, from which paraffin precipitates at low temperatures. Although the contents of the fuel tank do not freeze, they create blockages that prevent the engine from starting. It is said that then the fuel loses its pour point. Therefore, in winter they sell other diesel fuel that is more resistant to this phenomenon.

You can run into trouble by refueling regular oil. Cars equipped with modern injection systems that cannot tolerate thickened fuel are most susceptible to them. With older models, this is probably not a problem, although the engine should start, albeit more difficult than usual. Gasoline car owners can fill up with gasoline without fear, because it has a different composition and is resistant to winter conditions. If you have filled up with non-freezing fuel, put the car in a warm garage and wait until it restores its properties.