As the mornings continue to get colder, it isn’t just us who are struggling with the harsh weather. Our cars also have trouble in the winter time. The last thing you want to happen is your car to sputter and die on the morning of an important client meeting or work responsibility. Low temperatures can cause a plethora of problems, and that’s why proper maintenance, care, and winterization methods are crucial. This article will discuss the reasons why your car won’t start, as well as offer preventative tips to make sure you can get on your way—no matter how cold it may be.
Why Won’t My Car Start?
It’s helpful to know what issues could be plaguing your vehicle on start-up, as it’ll help you solve the problem. Typically, three main problems are the culprit when your car won’t start in the cold.
- Battery: In low temperatures, less current is produced, making the battery work a lot harder to start the car.
- Oil: When it is cold, engine oil thickens, which makes it harder for it to flow around the engine. This combined with the strain on the battery can cause a car to be a non-starter.
- Fuel Lines: Although less common than the previous two, moisture can develop in the fuel lines and freeze, creating a blockage in the line.
- Carburetor: Cars built before the mid-1980s usually used carburetors to mix small amounts of fuel with the air in the engine. Carburetors are very delicate and often do not work well in the cold because they can get clogged with ice or the fuel didn’t evaporate while inside.
Preventative Tips
Prevention is always important, as no one wants to deal with a car that won’t start on a freezing cold morning. The first step in this process is the winterization of your car (see our previous blog post, Winterizing your Car for the Cold Weather and Holidays). Replacing your battery is a good first step, as if the voltage is low, the non-starting issue will continue to happen regardless of other issues. It may be expensive up front, but it will last for a long time.
If you’re conscious of money, a cheaper tip is to keep your gas tank topped off. Starting your car on a cold morning uses 40% more fuel than it would on a bright summer morning. These two key points will keep your vehicle starting up strong this winter.
The final important tip for winter driving is to check your auto insurance policy. Having a comprehensive policy protects you from all different kinds of issues, such as accidents, falling objects, flood, and many more. This means that if an icicle falls from your house and smashes your windshield, you’ll be covered. TJ Woods Insurance offers comprehensive auto insurance that protects you and your vehicle from all sorts of potential hazards. Contact us with any automobile insurance questions you may have; we are happy to help you find the best policy!
