Car won’t start? You are not alone

This winter’s low temperatures have precipitated more problems with batteries and charging systems than I can recall in recent memory. More than a few times we have answered motorists’ questions about why their vehicle would not start on some cold day. It seems they had done everything recommended for winter driving. The vehicle had a new battery, fresh engine oil and coolant, full tank of fuel etc. “I even start it every day if I use it or not”, one customer assured me, or another, “I warm it up 15 minutes in the morning before I take off to work”. While many drivers believe this is necessary, (It is not), this action could be the cause of the no starts. An idling engine cannot put as much amperage back into the battery as the lights, heaters and defroster take out, so any idling time produces a net loss of charge to the battery. A similar situation occurs when the vehicle makes a short commute each day. Here again, if the car is operating at low speeds it will fall behind on its battery charge, eventually not producing enough to start the car in sub zero weather.

Another problem related to this same “short trip driving” is caused when condensation forms inside the engine and its many hoses and pipes and is not fully warmed up and expelled. The moisture that naturally turns from vapor to liquid when warmed stays in the system. This moisture, if excessive, freezes and can block a passage causing overpressure, blowing a hose, or worse, when started again cold. Pressure builds up causing massive oil leak, poor running or a no start.

I highly recommend limiting short trip driving and also long periods of idling in very cold weather. If you don’t have to go anywhere, let the car sleep. You are not helping it by warming it up. If you must drive, take the freeway and make sure you drive at least one 12 mile trip at highway speed each week. Your car will love you for it.

Jeffrey Quam, JAQ’S Garage Moorhead, MN.

For more thoughts on this subject read this article -http://www.esquire.com/features/warming-up-car