Why Won't My Car Start in Winter?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car won't start in winter: 1. Insufficient battery power. 2. Restricted oil flow. During winter, lower temperatures cause the engine oil's viscosity to increase, slowing its flow rate and thereby increasing engine resistance, making it difficult to start the car. Owners can switch to winter-specific engine oil and perform maintenance to resolve this issue. 3. Frozen exhaust pipe. Owners can drive longer distances or run the car at high speeds to use stronger exhaust force to promptly remove accumulated water from the exhaust pipe. 4. Incorrect antifreeze selection. Choosing a qualified antifreeze can solve this problem. 5. Engine flooding. Press the accelerator pedal all the way down, start the engine for about 5 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, and repeat this process twice to resolve the issue.
Difficulty starting cars in winter is a common issue. Having driven for over a decade, I've encountered this several times. The main culprit is low temperatures. First, the battery's performance drops significantly in cold weather—its power output decreases. While new batteries fare better, aged ones are prone to failure when they deteriorate. The starter requires substantial current, and if the battery can't deliver, it won't turn over. Next, engine oil thickens like honey in winter, increasing internal resistance and making the engine harder to crank. Spark plugs are another factor—if they're fouled with carbon deposits or worn out, misfiring is common. I've personally experienced mornings when the car was frozen like a fridge, taking three or four attempts to start. My advice: switch to winter-grade oil beforehand, regularly inspect or replace the battery, and don't overlook the fuel system—water in the fuel can freeze and block the lines below zero. These are lessons from experience; don't wait until trouble strikes to act.
