Worried about trouble starting in the cold

[MysticalRake]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, or in the wrong place!

It is very cold in my area (around -20C). When I start my car, it takes around 5 seconds of cranking (I think that's the right term) before the engine starts up. Usually, e.g. in the summer, it takes only 1 second. I have not had any episodes where it wouldn't start, but do I need to be worried that it will not, or is it normal to take 5 seconds in the cold? This is a brand new car, if that is relevant.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated, thank you!

[S.F.W.]

The cold is hard on the battery. In the really cold weather of the car has been sitting it will be a bit harder to crank.
You can live with it, or upgrade the battery.

[SonicBoy]

A block heater or battery blanket may help in the extreme cold temperature however S.F.W. is correct with the battery upgrade especially if the battery is older.

If you can park in a garage also may help.

[2012mazda3hatch]

I had to replace the stock Panasonic battery the first cold day after moving up to Sudbury, currently -31 feels like -42 with the windchill, starts every time even after sitting outside for a couple days never takes more than a couple seconds to turn over . Put in the Moromaster eliminator ultra AGM and it’s awesome.

[Noisy Crow]

You can also use synthetic oil in the engine and transmission. It flows better at cold temperatures, which means less drag from the oil pump, torque converter, etc. trying to push thick oil around. (If you have a manual transmission then gearbox oil won't affect starting the engine as the clutch will disconnect the engine anyway.)

[G ~ MINI]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, or in the wrong place!

It is very cold in my area (around -20C). When I start my car, it takes around 5 seconds of cranking (I think that's the right term) before the engine starts up. Usually, e.g. in the summer, it takes only 1 second. I have not had any episodes where it wouldn't start, but do I need to be worried that it will not, or is it normal to take 5 seconds in the cold? This is a brand new car, if that is relevant.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated, thank you!

Are you using a gas line antifreeze. Helps get water out of your fuel... condensation issues...fuel wont get slushy.
Maybe do not use 87 gas with ethanol ...stay on 91 (shell or esso ) during the winter .
Battery ...even if a new car....did the car sit on a lot for a long time without starting.
Oil change...oem mazda oil...at recommened interval.
Its a new car... bring it back to the dealer and have them check load on the engine and battery and if generator is running correctly.

[Flagrum_3]

Even with a new car and with the extreme cold we are experiencing right now, it will affect your starting. One should realize the cold will lower your battery's charge and cranking ability, and the colder, the moreso. Other then the many remedies mentioned above by others, you need to understand driving habits and the use of accessories plays a part. For instance; You start the car cold with an already depleted battery, depleting it even more. You only drive say 0-10km to work or back, only a short distance, you've got the fan/heat on high, maybe the defroster for a bit, your radio etc; you then get to work/home and shut it down. With this scenario your battery has had little time to charge and will be depleted for the next start, maybe moreso.

Some tips; Shut off all accessories before shutting the engine down, lights, radio, fan etc and let her run a minute or so before shutting down. if you do long trips, no worries but short trips let it warm up a few minutes and maybe lengthen your route a bit.

Always keep your tank above 1/2 tank in winter. Most winter fuel now has antifreeze built in, but running around on a low tank can still develop moisture which can slow the start.

Check your battery connections are tight.


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