Starting Your Car in the Cold

What is a cold start? Car troubles can form when temperatures drop. For instance, maybe your car won’t start when cold but starts when warm. That’s when a cold start may be necessary. Our service center wants to help you keep your car running in top shape on our Tinley Park roads, so we’ve put together the guide below on how to cold start a car and why this is sometimes hard to do. So, if you’ve been wondering, “Why won’t my car start when it’s cold?”, we’re here to help!

Why Won’t My Car Start When It’s Cold?

Orland Park winters bring unique challenges to drivers and may leave you frustrated and wondering, “Why won’t my car start when it’s cold?” It can be especially difficult to cold start a car, as more fuel is required because the engine must idle higher than in warmer weather. If the engine doesn’t idle high enough, the excess gas could clog the ignition system, causing the engine to stall. But there are other reasons why a car won’t start when it’s cold but starts when it’s warm. Here are a few:

• The battery isn’t designed for the cold. This can happen if you bought your car in a southern state and brought it up to IL. If the car’s battery has an “S” after the size of the battery, this stands for “South”, and indicates the battery is made for warmer climates. It could also just be time to replace your battery.
• The oil is low or needs to be changed. Oil needs to flow smoothly through the engine for it to start in cold weather. Dirty oil or low oil will affect this.
• Moisture in the fuel line. Moisture in the fuel line can freeze in the winter, causing a clog. This can happen more commonly in diesel engines.
• The carburetor is clogged. This applies to older cars since most modern cars have fuel injectors instead of carburetors.

What is a Cold Start?

It can be possible to cold start a car following the steps we list below. So, what is a cold start and how do you do it? A cold start is when you have to start the engine when the outside temperature is lower than your engine’s operating temperature, as it often is during our Oak Forest winters. It is very important to keep your oil changed during this time of year. We should also note that you should not rev up your engine to warm it up.

How to Cold Start a Car

• Turn off all electrical systems.
• Dip the clutch while turning your ignition (applies to manual transmissions, of course).
• Make sure your battery posts and cable connectors are not corroded.
• Check the oil and top it off if it is low.

Schedule an Appointment with The Garage at Bettenhausen

Don’t panic if your car won’t start when cold, but starts when warm. Just schedule an appointment with our service center. Our knowledgeable technicians can troubleshoot the problem quickly and get you back on the road in no time. Just be sure to take advantage of our service specials. We’re just down the road from Frankfort. So, drop by or contact us today!