What are the reasons why a car won't start in cold weather?
3 Answers
The reasons why a car won't start in cold weather are: 1. The car battery is dead; 2. Low temperature causes the viscosity and rotation speed of the engine oil to decrease; 3. There is a problem with the ignition system; 4. Insufficient fuel in the car; 5. Excessive carbon deposits inside the vehicle's engine; 6. The fuel pump is damaged, preventing fuel in the fuel tank from being supplied for combustion. The solutions for a car that won't start are: 1. Check if the battery is dead; 2. Check if the fuel pump is damaged; 3. Check if there is sufficient fuel; 4. Check if the engine sensors are damaged; 5. Check if there is a problem with the ignition system; 6. Use a heating rod to warm up the engine oil.
As a seasoned driver with decades of experience, I often encounter the annoying problem of my car failing to start in cold weather. The main reason is that the battery's discharge capacity deteriorates in low temperatures, and even a new battery can't handle temperatures below minus ten degrees Celsius, resulting in insufficient output current and weak starting. Another issue is that the engine oil thickens, like porridge freezing, increasing the rotational resistance of the engine and making it hard for the starter motor to turn. Sometimes, damp spark plugs or an overly rich fuel mixture can also cause ignition failure. From my experience, it's essential to check the battery fluid level and health before winter and replace it if necessary. Using low-viscosity winter oil can prevent thickening. When starting, avoid trying too many times in a row, as this can easily burn out the starter. Parking in a warm garage or seeking help from a professional mechanic is much better than forcing it.
I'm the type of young person who loves driving out in winter, and cold weather no-starts are pretty common. The key issue is battery performance drops in low temps—older batteries are more prone to failure with unstable power output. Engine oil viscosity gets too thick, making the internals feel glued up. If spark plugs are damp or have excessive gap, they can misfire too. Recommend doing maintenance in advance: install a high-quality battery and switch to low-viscosity oil. Safety first—if the engine struggles to crank, don't force it; use a jump starter pack or call roadside assistance to avoid freezing your fingers and wasting money. Park in sheltered spots when possible, and warm up the engine before driving for smoother operation.
