What to do when your car won't start
As temperatures drop, many tend to use this time to warm up their car before leaving the house, but it could be dangerous, or even illegal.
In the cold of the winter, your car may struggle to turn over. Your car engine not starting may be due to the low temperature getting to the battery.
Fairbanks, Alaska has the unenviable title of the coldest place in America. The minimum average temperature in the coldest month is -16.9 F. Not everywhere in the country is quite that cold. Even with record temperatures, we can all experience some chilly mornings.
Cold weather and cars aren't the best mix. There's nothing worse on a freezing morning than finding that your car won't start. Here's what to do if that ever happens.
Car covered in snow on a winter day. (Guasor/iStock/Thinkstock)
Turn Off Everything In Your Car
Batteries don't like the cold. If your car won't start, it may be because your battery is struggling. The last thing you want to do is give it any unnecessary burden. Switch off every electrical appliance possible in your car. This includes the radio, heaters, and interior lights. The less juice that's been used elsewhere, the more your battery can devote to trying to get that engine started.
Give Your Car a Chance to Start
If your engine is sluggish due to the cold, it may take a little longer to start than usual. Make sure you give it a chance to get going. Turn the ignition and leave it in place for up to ten seconds. If the car hasn't started after this time, switch it off again. Don't leave it any longer, as you may overwork the starter motor, which is only going to make things worse.
Photo by Brady Cook
Leave Your Car Engine To Recover
If your car didn't start first go, don't keep trying over and over. Give it a chance to recover. Wait a couple of minutes before you try starting your car again. It gives your starter motor and battery the chance to warm up a little and may be all you need to finally get things going. Once your two minutes is up, try the ignition again. If it starts, great! If not, did it sound any closer to starting? If so, give it another couple of minutes and try again. If it still sounds sluggish after a few tries, then you'll need to try something else.
Jump Start Your Car
The simplest way to get your car going is to jump-start it. Find someone else with a car that actually does start, and fetch your jump leads. Allow your battery to charge from their running car for a few minutes, and then try again. If this still doesn't work, or you don't have anyone who can help, it's time to call a mechanic.
Worried Your Car Won't Start in the Cold?
If you're worried your car won't start in the cold, then it's a good idea to keep on top of the forecast. You can keep track of your local weather using our website, so you'll always know when cold weather is on the way. It gives you the chance to take precautions to ensure that you don't have problems starting your car even on the coldest days.
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