How to Start Your Engine in Freezing Weather

In winter, the electrical load on your car goes up significantly (heating, lighting), and alternators, especially on older cars, can't recharge the battery enough. That's why it's a good idea to top up the battery from a wall outlet now and then with a battery charger. If severe cold is forecast, bring the battery into a warm room so it doesn't discharge. When starting a cold engine, conserve electrical power. Many people think that cranking the starter in short bursts saves energy. It doesn't. The moment the starter begins to turn the crankshaft is when it draws the most current. Three 10-second attempts are better than six 5-second attempts. If the engine still doesn't fire after 3 attempts, let the battery rest for a few minutes, then try again. If the engine still won't start, try to find the cause. The spark plugs may be to blame. In winter, spark plugs need very careful maintenance. Remove carbon deposits from them and check the electrode gaps. REMEMBER! Cleaning carbon off spark plugs by burning it off with a flame is very harmful. It shortens their service life or can even ruin them, because it causes microcracks in the porcelain insulator. Replace the plugs if they are old, since their performance deteriorates sharply with age. In severe cold, we recommend taking the plugs into a warm room so that condensation doesn't form on them. In heavy frost, engine oil thickens, which creates resistance for the engine when starting. For that reason, we strongly recommend pressing the clutch pedal while cranking, which disconnects the transmission. Keep in mind that dirty oil thickens faster, so change it on time! To make starting easier, you can add about 200 g (7 oz) of gasoline to the engine oil. The next day, after the engine has warmed up, the gasoline will evaporate along with the crankcase gases. You can also warm the oil pan with an electric heater. Even an ordinary 60–100 W light bulb will do. That is enough to keep the oil from thickening. Special oil heaters are also sold, built into a dipstick. In winter, never leave the fuel tank empty overnight. Water and dirt collect at the bottom of the tank. If that gets into the fuel system, you're in for a "fun" day, because water can freeze solid in the fuel line, and thawing it out in freezing weather is very hard.