Auto Care Tips From Capitol Subaru: How To Start Your Car In Cold Weather

 

5. Ensure Your Battery Is Strong

On average, a modern car battery will last anywhere from 4-7 years in your car before it needs to be replaced. The older your battery is, the more likely it is that a cold snap could affect its ability to start your car. If the battery in your car is going on several years old, it may make sense to get a battery health test at our service center. We can determine if your battery has life left in it for another winter, or if we should recommend a new battery.

If your battery is old, but it still holds just enough juice to get the engine started each morning, it might finally die on you after being parked outside overnight on a particularly cold evening.

 

4. Turn Off All Accessories

The most common reason that a car battery dies while it's parked is an accessory that's been left on, such as a dome light. These accessories can drain your battery as it's parked. You might be able to get away with leaving a dome light on overnight during the summer, but during the winter, you might not be so lucky. And if you have any accessories turned on while trying to start the car, such as the climate controls or stereo, be sure to turn them off if you can before trying to start the car.

3. Turn Key And Hold For Up To 10 Seconds

When you turn the key, if your battery is low on juice, the starter motor might not respond instantly like you're used to. But there's no harm in holding the key in the start position for several seconds, and give the motor a chance to warm up and get going. While older, carburated models may also benefit from having you press on the gas pedal, there's no need to use the gas pedal when starting a modern car -- just turn the key. If the engine doesn't start up right away, listen closely to the sounds your car makes when you turn the key....

 

2. Listen Closely

The sound your car makes when you turn the key can tell you what's gone wrong. For example, if you don't hear anything happening at all, that indicates that the vehicle's battery is totally dead. But, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn the key, that indicates that there is some power getting to the starter motor. The starter itself could be damaged, or there might just not be enough power left in the battery. If the starter slowly cranks, but doesn't get the engine started, that also indicates a battery problem. But if you can get the accessories like the lights and stereo to turn on, but the engine won't start, then the battery is in working order. There could be a problem with the fuel delivery system or starter motor instead.

1. Get A Jump Start

If your battery has died, and you find yourself far from home in the cold, you may just need a jump start. This will give you just enough juice to start the engine. At that point, the alternator begins recharging the battery as you drive, converting mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy that keeps the battery charged. To learn how to do this properly and safely, take a look at this other article from Capitol Subaru.