Why Won't My Car Start in Cold Weather?
4 Answers
Reasons for difficulty starting a cold engine: 1. Insufficient fuel pressure: After the vehicle has been parked overnight, fuel in the fuel lines flows back into the tank, causing insufficient fuel pressure when starting. Inspection method: Connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel line and turn on the ignition; the pressure should be around 320 kPa. 2. Faulty coolant temperature sensor: Inspection method: Use a multimeter to measure the resistance and voltage of the coolant temperature sensor. 3. Insufficient or uneven cylinder compression: Inspection method: Use a compression tester to check the compression of each cylinder. 4. Faulty charcoal canister purge valve: Since the charcoal canister purge valve operates in a closed-loop control system, it also activates when starting the vehicle in the morning, enriching the air-fuel mixture and preventing proper combustion. Inspection method: Use a diagnostic tool (e.g., 431 scanner) to read fault codes.
I've encountered several instances where my car wouldn't start in winter, primarily due to battery aging issues. Cold weather accelerates battery discharge, making it difficult to start when the power is insufficient. I remember that time at minus fifteen degrees Celsius when I had to ask a friend to help jump-start the car with jumper cables, barely managing to get it going. After replacing the battery, the problem never recurred. Additionally, engine oil with too high a viscosity can also burden the engine. Using 5W-30 low-temperature oil in winter makes things much smoother. Lastly, there's the fuel system—extremely cold temperatures can cause fuel to gel, clogging the injectors. I recommend regular battery maintenance and seasonal oil changes, warming up the car for five minutes beforehand, and keeping an emergency jump starter in the car for convenience. After developing these habits, winter driving is no longer a scramble for me.
Last time during the extreme cold, my car wouldn't start and I was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan! A friend later explained that battery performance drops rapidly in low temperatures, especially for older car batteries which might retain only half their charge. I immediately went to buy jumper cables and learned how to jump start the car, which worked quite well. Additionally, the engine struggled to turn over because the oil was too thick; switching to a thinner grade alleviated the issue. Frozen fuel lines are also a common problem, particularly in northern regions. For prevention, parking in a garage or using a battery heating blanket is simple yet effective. These lessons taught me to address potential issues in advance to avoid being stranded and disrupting my travel plans.
Difficulty starting the car in cold weather is most often due to a weak battery. Last year, I was late taking my child to school, and the repair shop said the main reasons were an aging battery and faster discharge in low temperatures. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to change the engine oil and check the battery lifespan in autumn and winter. For older cars, insufficient antifreeze concentration can also cause the system to freeze. When parking, avoid windy spots to reduce startup time. These small tips have been a big help, and paying more attention to seasonal maintenance will go a long way.
