Very cold weather can cause a car battery to fail. That's why it's important to be on guard against winter and the problems that can arise. Read on to learn what to do when your car won't start and what you can do beforehand to prevent this problem.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Starting the Machine
Step 1. If you suspect that the battery is weak from not being used for several days, close your car doors and turn off all other equipment
This includes heating, radio, and lights. This will help to maximize your starter power. However, if you have driven the car more than 20 minutes since it was first started and on the same day, you have benefited from igniting the battery a while before attempting to start the engine.
Step 2. Turn the ignition on to start and hold it for 10 seconds
Do not hold it for more than 10 seconds, as an overworked starter will overheat it. If the machine fails to start, wait a few minutes and try again.
- If when you insert and turn the key, the car dashboard light is still on, it means that there is still a little power in the battery. This is a good sign.
- If the car does not make a sound (no sound of the motor running or ticking) when the key is turned, and the lights on the dashboard don't turn on, chances are, the car battery is really dead. No matter how many times you turn the key, the car won't start unless the battery problem is resolved.
- Turn the key and try starting the engine in the hope that the car will start immediately or with a little time. Cars that start after some time are not a problem because it doesn't damage the engine.
- If there is a ticking sound but the engine does not start, the battery may not have enough power to start the car. Stop at this point because the battery is too weak to start the engine.
- If the car engine fails to start, wait a few minutes then try again. Sometimes, the remaining power in the battery will accumulate until it is strong enough to start the engine.
Step 3. Let the battery recharge if the car fails to start
If your car doesn't start after ten or twenty seconds of starting, stop and wait a few minutes before starting it again. This will give the battery time to recharge and will warm up a little. Mainly, this time will give the starter motor a chance to cool down.
- If the car is about to start but doesn't seem to have enough power, give it a break and try again. If the battery doesn't produce enough power to start the engine, it means your battery is weak and you need to check your battery.
- If after several attempts to start the car it still doesn't work, then you need to warm up your battery. You can do this by removing it and taking it home, be careful because there may be an indication of an error some time after putting it back together. You will not harm the vehicle by moving the battery. From very cold weather, the time it takes to warm up the battery is about 2 hours to increase the availability of electric current.
Step 4. Read the user manual
Most vehicles today have instructions for starting the engine when it's cold that will guide you to use a little throttle to help start in the cold. See the vehicle's user manual for more information.
- If you don't have a user manual for your car, you can order one at a car dealer, look for it at a flea store or auto parts branch.
- You can also search various user manuals online. Try typing "car owner manual" into a popular search engine and look for relevant results.
Step 5. For cars older than 1985, with carbureted engines, step on the gas pedal slowly while parked
Press the gas pedal occasionally and release it. This will give a small intake of gasoline to the combustion line, which will help to run it. Note that it is not necessary to do this on machines that use injection. If your vehicle is newer than 1990, it is electric gasoline injection.
Part 2 of 4: Fishing for Dead Battery
Step 1. Do a jump-start or bait on your battery if it really doesn't turn on
If the starter doesn't turn on at all, your battery is probably dead. It's time to lure the battery to light up. You will need jumper cables and a volunteer to run the car in order to carry out the battery fishing technique.
Step 2. Position the start-up car as close as possible to the one with the dead battery
You should point the fronts of the cars facing each other if possible.
Step 3. Connect the jumper wires to the same terminal
See symbol + and - on the jumper cable and connect to the cable with the mark + with the positive terminal on both the running car and the dead car. Connect the wires with the mark - with the negative terminal.
An easy way to remember how to connect jumper wires is to remember "red on dead battery, red on live battery." Attach the red clip to the red pole of the dead battery, then the red clip to the red pole of the car with the live battery, and then do the opposite with the black clip. Black pole on a car with a live battery and finally a black pin on a car with a dead battery. Please note that the black clamp on a car with a dead battery needs to be connected, either to an unpainted engine bolt or alternator mounting bracket, not to the battery terminal itself. This is to avoid short circuits
Step 4. Let the dead battery charge from the running car for a few minutes
When you are about to start the car with a dead battery, pressing the gas pedal a little will help a lot. 2000 RPM is more than enough.
Step 5. Try starting the car with a dead battery
If the battery doesn't turn on on the first try, check again to make sure the jumper wires are properly connected (especially the negative/black wire if it's not connected to the battery) before starting the car with the battery on for a while and try again.
Step 6. Disconnect the jumper wires slowly, but continue to run the engines in both cars for a few minutes to make sure the batteries in both cars are charged enough to restart
Since modern cars already have alternators, modern cars can maintain charging voltage even at low RPM. No need to grind the engine.
Step 7. Replace the battery if necessary
All cars at some point in their life need to replace the car battery. Batteries have a limited service life and there is no maintenance or maintenance whatsoever that can reverse the effects of chemicals on metallic substances. Car batteries generally last for four years
- If you replace your own battery, make sure your vehicle is turned off and parked using the handbrake.
- Always use gloves and safety glasses when replacing a car battery because car batteries contain acids and harmful gases that can potentially be released if the battery is mishandled. You should make sure that your car battery is recycled in the right way by taking the used battery to your local recycling center or a specific repair shop.
Part 3 of 4: Problem Prevention
Step 1. Heat the engine with a block heater or block heater
The block heater is a small heating device built into the machine that is attached to a wall plug. This heater warms the engine and oil and makes starting the car easier. Engine block heaters are inexpensive but must be properly installed by a mechanic.
Step 2. Keep your engine battery warm at all times
Your car battery can deliver more power when it's warm. You can do this by wrapping the battery.
Usually, a battery wrap or blanket is a permanent installation of insulators and heating elements around the battery. This arrangement takes about an hour to warm up the battery
Step 3. Park the car indoors
Indoor parking such as a garage helps protect the car's engine from cold and freezing temperatures. Warm the garage if possible to keep the temperature warmer.
Step 4. Use a thinner oil
In extreme cold weather, the oil thickens and cannot flow quickly to critical engine parts that require lubrication. Oil that is thin and has passed the cold weather test flows more easily in cold weather and increases mileage. Your user manual should tell you the ideal type of oil you should use.
Step 5. Use antifreeze for the gas line, plus a gasoline stabilizer
Gas line antifreeze, also known as dry gas, is a chemical (usually methyl hydrate) that is added to the gas tank to prevent your gas line from freezing. If your gas line freezes, your car won't start until the gas line thaws. Many gas stations have added antifreeze to their gasoline during the colder months. Check the gas station you choose and make sure they've put it into practice.
Add dry gas when refueling before filling the gas tank (if possible) to ensure the liquid is completely mixed in the gas tank
Step 6. For a diesel engine, consider using a gasoline conditioner
Gasoline conditioner is a versatile diesel engine fuel additive. A diesel engine will run better in winter if a gasoline conditioner is used, preventing the gasoline from turning into a gel and ensuring reliable gasoline performance in various winter conditions.
Step 7. Keep your gas tank full
Frost on the gas tank walls will build up and slowly sink to the bottom, causing freezing problems in your tank line. This makes it more difficult to start a cold car with an almost empty tank. Do what's best for yourself and refuel frequently in winter before parking your car.
Part 4 of 4: Preparing Your Car For Winter
Step 1. Replace your windshield wiper and wiper fluid
The wiper blades will crack in cold weather and become less effective. This can harm you in bad weather. Low visibility will make driving in cold weather very dangerous. Therefore, making sure the wiper blades are in top condition is very important. Replace the wipers every 6 months.
Step 2. Check your tire pressure and consider using snow tires
Extreme changes in temperature will affect your tire pressure and riding with tires that are not under pressure can be a bit dangerous. Cold tires will tread differently than warmed tires, so it's a good idea to look around a bit before checking tire pressure at the gas station or at the tire shop.
If you live in a place with heavy snowfall, consider using snow tires on your car or purchasing a chain set for use in inclement weather. Check local regulations regarding the use of chains. The use of tire chains is prohibited in some areas due to the risk of damaging the road surface
Step 3. Take care of the battery
Cold weather damages batteries greatly for two reasons. The battery is unable to produce the usual amount of power due to cold weather. Chemical reactions that produce electricity are slower at lower temperatures. Checking your car battery from time to time will help you keep track of what needs maintenance, but keep in mind that most car batteries only last between three and five years. In addition, the engine will be difficult to spin because the oil in the engine becomes more viscous. This requires a strong current from the battery. However, a multiviscosity oil (having multiple viscosities) such as the 10w30 type can alleviate most of these problems.
- Check the battery cables and clamps for signs of weathering or corrosion. If there is a white powder around the clamp, it is the result of acid corrosion from the battery. You can clean it easily with baking soda, water and a toothbrush.
- Your battery contains liquid electrolytes that can evaporate and spill. Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the battery. Most batteries have a lid on the top and you can check the fluid level by opening the battery cover. If there is a small amount of battery fluid, fill it with distilled water and be careful not to exceed the full limit indicator or the underside of the battery cover.
Suggestion
- Remove as much snow and ice from your car as possible. Of course starting the car and slowly warming up your engine while you do this will help, but the snowfall on the car won't help you at all. Remove as much snow as possible from the car and remove any hardened ice between the tires. Also make sure the wiper fluid and windshield wiper fluid lines are free of ice.
- To keep your battery warm, you can also remove the terminals and bring your battery indoors at night. While this may take more effort, it will be easier than spending 30 minutes every morning trying to revive your dead battery.
