Getting your vehicle going in the cold can be challenging, especially as winter approaches and temperatures fall more considerably. Cars aren’t always designed for this in many ways, even new ones. Fluids thicken, batteries lose power, and condensation can form on metal contacts, preventing them from transmitting electrons properly.
Fortunately, there’s quite a bit you can do to get your vehicle going in the cold. Here’s what to do:
Keep Your Battery Happy
The first port of call should always be the battery. Getting this wrong can reduce power output by more than half, leading to failure.
Some EVs have battery warmers installed that you can use to pre-warm the battery before switching the vehicle on. However, you can just keep old-style cars in the garage where temperatures are considerably warmer. Keeping your vehicle under a blanket will retain more of the heat gathered in the day.
Also, if your battery is more than three years old, replace it. Swapping it out for a new one reduces risk significantly and gives you back your freedom.
Switch To A Better Oil
When it’s cold, it can also help to switch to a new or better oil. Don’t use any products that aren’t made for your specific engine.
Switching to the right oil requires some research but you should be able to figure out what you need from the owner’s manual. Check the weight required and see if you can lighten the oil where possible.
Top Off Fluids With Winterized Versions
Another strategy for keeping your car going is to use fluids that have cold resistance. These often contain additives to prevent freezing and hose damage.
If you’re in extreme cold areas, then ensure you mix cold-resistant coolant in a 50-50 ratio with regular products. Again, this will help prevent freezing and give you back your power steering.
Use Jump Starts
Sometimes, conditions will be so bad that you need to jump start car starter motors. If the weather is cold enough, it won’t want to start by itself.
Jump starting is something you can do yourself if you have the right equipment. Or you can ask professionals to come over and do it for you.
Keep the Fuel Tank Half Full
Keeping the fuel tank half full is also a good idea. Topping it up during cold weather keeps lines from freezing and cuts the amount of condensation you need to deal with substantially. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of damage and ensure you can still start your car in poor weather.
Use Grandma Starts
Back in the day, vehicles would regularly refuse to start. That’s why it’s critical to use the grandma method. All you need to do is turn the vehicle on, then turn it off for a few seconds, and then do this 3 or 4 times before cranking. This action primes the automator, giving you a smoother start without all the usual stalling.
So there you have it: how to get your vehicle to start properly in the cold.
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