Why Won't My Car Start in Winter?
2 Answers
Winter car starting failure may be caused by adding water or inferior antifreeze, which can freeze the cooling system or even crack the engine, preventing the water pump from functioning and making the car unable to start. The solution is to inspect and repair the system before adding high-quality antifreeze. Another possible cause is carbon buildup in the throttle body, leading to insufficient fuel pressure and starting failure. The solution is to clean the carbon deposits. Due to low intake air temperature in the cylinders, fuel atomization is poor. If there's also insufficient ignition energy, it can easily lead to cylinder flooding—where excessive fuel accumulates in the cylinders, exceeding the ignition concentration limit and preventing the engine from starting. The solution is to remove the spark plugs, clean the oil stains between the electrodes, and reinstall them to restore normal starting.
It's quite common for cars to fail to start in winter. From my years of driving experience, the main reason is that low temperatures significantly reduce battery capacity, especially for old batteries which are more prone to failure. The engine oil also becomes thicker, making it harder for the engine to turn over. If the spark plugs are dirty or the electrode gap is incorrect, ignition becomes sluggish during cold starts. Additionally, issues may arise in the fuel system, such as frozen fuel lines or poor fuel fluidity, particularly in northern regions. Neglecting regular maintenance, like not replacing the battery or using engine oil with an unsuitable viscosity grade for winter, makes breakdowns more likely in severe cold. To solve the problem, first try jump-starting the battery or simply replacing it with a new one, avoiding excessive cranking to prevent damage to the starter motor. If the car still won’t start after temperatures rise, it’s best to take it to a repair shop to check the wiring and control modules.
