Cold start sputter? 2015 Mazda3

[riche]

I've been getting a weird sputtering from the engine some days when I first start the car in the morning. It sort of sounds like it's struggling to start properly for a few seconds after ignition and then go back to normal. It won't do it again for the rest of the day.

Is it just moving around viscous oil or something? Anybody have an explanation? Thanks!

[morganc]

It could be a little water in your fuel. Try adding a bottle of gas line antifreeze to your next tank. As long as it starts and you don't get any CEL's, you should be ok. The oil is plenty thin in these engines as is. If you don't use synthetic, then I'd suggest switching.

[bwar]

"Accelerated Warmup System: While the average engine may take several minutes to warm up in cold temperatures, your SKYACTIV engine is different. Using a higher RMP of about 1500, as well as an advanced combustion process, the catalyst is warmed up quickly, resulting in cleaner emissions. It will slowly become quieter as the accelerated warm-up is completed and the whole thing should take around thirty seconds."

Mine ALSO has a 'sputter' at about the 30 secondmark. I took it to Mazda and they said that is normal with this process. I also talked to another individual on the site, and the same happens to theirs.

[riche]

"Accelerated Warmup System: While the average engine may take several minutes to warm up in cold temperatures, your SKYACTIV engine is different. Using a higher RMP of about 1500, as well as an advanced combustion process, the catalyst is warmed up quickly, resulting in cleaner emissions. It will slowly become quieter as the accelerated warm-up is completed and the whole thing should take around thirty seconds."

Mine ALSO has a 'sputter' at about the 30 secondmark. I took it to Mazda and they said that is normal with this process. I also talked to another individual on the site, and the same happens to theirs.

Hey, I had that Accelerated Warmup System explained to me, and I hear that also, but what I'm talking about is different. In the first few seconds of starting the engine up, it kind of struggles to get the engine revving consistently, but only for a moment, then revs up to 1500 normally. It only started happening when the temperature started dropping below zero again.


If you don't use synthetic, then I'd suggest switching.
I went to the dealership for my last oil change, I'm never sure what any car uses, but I'm assuming they use synthetic?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

"Accelerated Warmup System: While the average engine may take several minutes to warm up in cold temperatures, your SKYACTIV engine is different. Using a higher RMP of about 1500, as well as an advanced combustion process, the catalyst is warmed up quickly, resulting in cleaner emissions. It will slowly become quieter as the accelerated warm-up is completed and the whole thing should take around thirty seconds."

Mine ALSO has a 'sputter' at about the 30 secondmark. I took it to Mazda and they said that is normal with this process. I also talked to another individual on the site, and the same happens to theirs.

If you are referring an almost Diesel sounding throatiness.. yes completely normal. and it is safe to drive right away.

[riche]

If you are referring an almost Diesel sounding throatiness.. yes completely normal. and it is safe to drive right away.

Again, no... I'm aware of that throaty high-revving catalytic converter warm-up sound. It's not that. It only happens in negative temperatures.
It's probably just struggling to turn over initially with cold, viscous oil. I just want to make sure it isn't anything I should worry about (It probably isn't).

[TRECLA]

yes ive experienced the same thing the past few cold days. strange i never had this issue last winter, only recently.

[Wanderlust]

Yep, mine sounds a little rough on cold morning starts. It almost sounds like the engine's going to cut out for a split second, but I've been told this is normal for the 3.

[Stupidducky]

I have the same problem except the one time my car actually did not start it was really weird.. had to give it a little gas and it started. This happened during the summer too =/

[bwar]

Yep, mine sounds a little rough on cold morning starts. It almost sounds like the engine's going to cut out for a split second, but I've been told this is normal for the 3.

Yup mine too! I was told it was normal and then confirmed by another on this site. It certainly had me worried initially.