How to start an automatic car in frosty conditions. How to easily start a car in cold weather: the best ways

How to start an automatic car in frosty conditions. How to easily start a car in cold weather: the best ways

Evil frosts affect all living things and not only. Car owners know firsthand how difficult it is sometimes to start your “swallow” at sub-zero air temperatures. Numerous attempts to traditionally start even the most trouble-free engine often end in failure and complete discharge of the battery.

To eliminate such consequences, you need to know a few simple secrets and tricks on how to properly start a car in cold weather.

Why is it hard to start a car in winter?

To understand the specifics of starting a motor in a cold season, you need to understand the main reasons that complicate this process. Most often, difficulties arise due to such phenomena:

  • freezing of the battery;
  • increased viscosity lubricants;
  • formation of condensate in fuel systems;
  • wiring oxide;
  • coolant problems.

The chemical elements of the battery at sub-zero temperatures lose their activity. Therefore, the lower the thermometer falls, the slower all lead-acid reactions occur.

At an air temperature of -18°-20°C, the actual return is about 40% of the total resource. And the performance of a "run down" battery in severe frosts is generally reduced to a minimum. Therefore, at night it is better to bring the battery into a room with positive temperatures.

Video - how to start a frozen car ("Main Road"):

Lubricants at sub-zero temperatures noticeably increase viscosity, which increases rotational resistance crankshaft and other mechanisms. Consequently, at the starting moment, the load on the barely “live”, frozen battery increases greatly, as a result of which it quickly sits down. Usage winter oil significantly reduce the resistance of rotating mechanisms, which will increase the performance of the starter.

Another serious problem can be the formation of condensate in the nodes. fuel system. Water droplets contained in gasoline or diesel fuel, when frozen, create plugs that prevent the normal flow of fuel into the combustion chambers. This phenomenon can be prevented by using winter fuel and special additives to it. It is advisable to refuel only at proven gas stations.

Video - what devices help to start the car in the cold without problems:

Oxide of terminals and contacts most often occurs with frequent temperature changes. When the engine is off, the wires take on the temperature environment, and during operation vehicle heat up. This leads to oxidation and deterioration of the contact strength, which can also affect normal starting.

To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to periodically clean the terminals with a rounded file, and perform all fasteners with high quality.

Video - possible problems after a wrong start of a car in winter:

The coolant has a working temperature limit, overcoming which it can freeze. Rotation of the starter in such cases can lead to breakage of the pump blades and failure of the cooling system.

The operation of a car with such a breakdown becomes unacceptable. To avoid such consequences, specifications fluid used must comply with climatic features region.

How to start a car in cold weather

Video on how to start a car in cold weather:

You can achieve the goal as quickly as possible by adhering to a certain sequence of performing all actions.

  • If the battery has been outside for a long time, then before starting the engine, it is necessary to turn on all the electrical equipment of the vehicle for a few seconds (high beam, stove, alarm etc.). A sharp load on the battery will make it "wake up" and begin to interact with all its elements.
  • A few presses of the gas pedal should ensure the supply of fuel to the cylinders. In machines equipped with manual choke, you can partially or completely close the damper by pulling the handle towards you.
  • You need to start the car neutral gear with the clutch depressed. This will save energy for turning the shafts and gears of the gearbox.
  • All attempts to start the engine should be short (3-5 seconds) with half-minute breaks. Long rotation of the starter can quickly discharge the battery, flood, etc.
  • Upon reaching the goal, the engine should be warmed up at medium speed. Release the clutch pedal smoothly after 15-20 seconds.

Proper diesel start

The main problem with diesel engines is fuel freezing. Adding kerosene to the fuel at the rate of 1: 5 will solve this issue. And make it easier to launch diesel engine You can follow the following algorithm of actions:

  • Setting the key to the penultimate position is necessary to warm up the glow plugs. Performing this procedure three to four times will “wake up” the battery.
  • The choke (if any) should be fully set to "minimum".
  • After depressing the clutch, you can start turning the starter. The duration of its rotation for a diesel engine is approximately 10 seconds. And in cases where the car shows signs of "life" it is best to turn the starter to the bitter end.
  • It is necessary to ensure the supply of fuel by smooth pressing the gas pedal. It is important not to overdo it here, since cold diesel fuel is poorly sprayed and can flow into the combustion chamber in a jet, which is very undesirable.
  • If the engine starts, it should be warmed up at 1500 rpm. Keep the clutch pedal depressed for about half a minute. If you release it immediately, then there is a risk of stalling.

Launch video diesel engine in frost:

Current consumption at starting torque diesel unit one and a half - two times higher than that of a carburetor, so you can start it only if the battery is well charged.

Features of injection engines

It is necessary to start such cars in the same way as carburetor ones. Distinctive feature is that the injector initially requires three ignition on / off. This procedure will allow the fuel pump to fill as much as possible. fuel line. In this case, the gas pedal should be operated very moderately.

Video - how to start a car in hard frost:

If the car flatly refuses to start, then with the help of a medical syringe you need to inject one cube of ether into the rubber band of the air pipe. It is necessary to pierce a hole as close as possible to the throttle assembly.

Important! This method should be resorted to only in cases of emergency, since an overdose of ether is fraught with serious damage.

How to start a car with automatic transmission

The main factor influencing the technology of starting an engine at sub-zero temperatures is not the type of gearbox, but the type of fuel consumed. Starting cars equipped with automatic transmission must be guided by the rules suitable for a particular type of engine (carburetor, diesel or injector).

The only feature of cars with automatic transmission is that they do not have a clutch pedal, so you do not need to squeeze anything extra. In addition, in cases of unsuccessful attempts, you can try to start a vehicle with a manual transmission from a pusher. Cars do not lend themselves to this method.

What to do if the battery is dead

If the battery charge was not enough to rotate the flywheel, you can try to start the car by towing or using the crank, or you can use the battery energy of a nearby vehicle - “” (you will need special starting wires).

If there is no urgent need to leave, you can try:

  • The battery must be brought into a warm room and allowed to “thaw”. It is highly undesirable to use heating devices (hair dryers, heaters, etc.) to speed up the process.
  • After acclimatization, the battery must be unscrewed top covers jars and check the presence of electrolyte in them. If its level is low, then it is necessary to add distilled water to the jars. Using an aerometer and other devices, check and correct the density of the electrolyte.
  • Let the battery charge for several hours.

Attention! When servicing the battery, a set of safety measures must be strictly observed, and all procedures must be carried out in a certain sequence.

How to start a car in cold weather (automatic)?

    In severe frost, you must follow some rules for operating a car. As the car parked, you need to press the gas pedal, bring the speed to 3000 and hold for one or two minutes. So we will give an additional charge to the battery. In the morning, before starting the car, you need to turn on the high beam headlights for 15-25 seconds, this will warm up the battery, then start the engine. It always turned out what I wish you.

    In order to start the car on frosty days, you need to do the following sequence of actions. First of all, press on the gas and thus bring the speed to 3 thousand, and so the car should work for a couple of minutes at such speeds.

    But before the direct institution of the car, you need to turn on the headlights for a minute high beam to help warm up the battery. And then you can start the engine.

    There are no specific instructions for this.

    Serviceable, with oil corresponding to the season, with a normal, non-old battery, a car with an automatic machine starts up perfectly without any dancing with a tambourine, if you did not let it freeze thoroughly.

    Up to -20C, I don’t worry about anything at all, and if the air temperature is lower, I warm up (start) every few hours (the colder it is, the more often, of course) for ten minutes, not forgetting to do this at night (modern alarms with automatic start engine allow you not to interrupt this sweet dream).

    If there were no warm-ups, it’s better not to start from the key fob, but go down to the car with handles and a key.

    It’s good to strike a little for the first time, turn the starter - and don’t let it start, but wait for the oil to wash, and start it after five seconds.

    Increased the speed of the computer at the beginning and the dates itself, as it sees fit. Spin, as they say here, up to 3000 rpm - kill cold engine, for such unfortunate owners it will not last long.

    When it warms up a little, depress the brake pedal, turn on D and ... do not release the brake, heat further in place, this will allow the automatic transmission to warm up, in parallel with the engine. After a minute, you can slowly (without gassing) start moving. We gas in full force when the engine warms up completely, up to 90C (pointer arrow is horizontal).

    Frosty days on the street for car owners become a real test. To make the engine start faster, you can buy different fuel additives. Cold gasoline will ignite better. In severe frost, turn on the dipped headlights, thanks to this, the electrolyte in the battery will warm up. You can try the method of lighting from a neighbor in the parking lot. And one more way - press the gas to three thousand revolutions for several minutes. Do not start driving immediately, warm up the car.

    In winter, it is best to bring the battery into an apartment or somewhere warm. If there are severe frosts, then you need to press the gas of the car and then bring the speed up to three thousand. And before starting the car, turn on the high-beam headlights.

    Usually the battery is brought into the heat, into the house! impulse current, s pre-start) and wires for lighting. There are thermal covers for the battery and engine. Some people keep spare spark plugs warm (in their pockets), and of course, by changing the warm spark plugs and putting in only the battery that was taken out of the house, then the guarantee that your car will start is great! They also install heaters for the auto heating system, there are from a socket, from a 220 Volt network and autonomous ones! Autonomous ones are much more expensive, more convenient, while you drink tea at home by pressing the remote control, then when you leave your car is already warmed up, the entire interior heating system, antifreeze, antifreeze is hot, starting the engine will be the same as in summer. Yes, and you need to think about oil, let’s say the ideal option is 0 W-40. There is advice, if the battery was not brought home, turn on the high beam for a while to wake up the battery (it didn’t help me).

    Yes, in general, the same as with the manual transmission. The main problem is the battery maximum current which in severe frost falls so much that it may not be enough not only to start the starter, but even to normal operation onboard electronics. In this case, the easiest and fastest option is to light up from a running car, and then let the engine run for Idling 5 minutes (before reaching the operating temperature), at the same time the battery will cheer up. If you drive a long distance (100 km or more), or stand in traffic jams for a long time, then the battery will be recharged from the generator, but if the trip is short, then at the end of the trip, the battery will need to be removed, brought into a warm room and put on charge overnight, driving there at least 30-40 Ah.

    There are no difficulties with the plant of a car with an automatic transmission, there are no features either. Everything is simple here. The gearbox of a car with automatic transmission is always in the Parking - P position during parking, so the car will never roll when the key is turned, parking brake also has no effect on the factory.

    There is one feature that you cannot start moving immediately after starting the car, it should work a little on idling to turn on on-board computer, and the gearbox warmed up a bit. However, for modern cars and it's not required. As soon as the car's display shows the usual numbers and letters, you can start moving, you just need to maintain low engine speeds until it warms up to operating temperature. For older cars, as far as I know, it is recommended to warm up the car for about 15 minutes before driving, so that the oil in the gearbox also warms up and it begins to work smoothly and does not fail.

    In addition to my first answer and responding to a comment to it, I want to say the following:

    If the car does not start, this is a separate issue, and there may be several options, I will not repeat myself. You can view discussions on this topic at the following links. Maybe something will help you. But first of all, check the candles and oil - it must necessarily correspond to the operating temperature of the engine, advice on this matter can be obtained at any store where oils are sold.

    And there are a lot of similar questions on BV. If you yourself do not loop in the mechanics and electronics of a car, then you can go to a car repair shop and find out the main cause of the non-plant, and then try to eliminate it.

WITH sharp drops temperature and just a cold snap, many car owners are faced with the problem of starting a frozen car. Even when it is not very cold, problems arise for a car that has stood for several days without moving. Each vehicle may have its own reason for this “hibernation”, but there are several similar problems that many people experience at low temperatures.

We will not cover all, but most typical problems with engine start. This may be a small single malfunction, or it may be a whole range of problems that need to be addressed. If you properly maintain your car, follow the requirements of the operating instructions, then some of them simply will not affect you. But if you still have difficulties, then here are the most common solutions:

Weak battery

Cause: accumulator battery may not hold a charge well due to age (more than 3 years), internal defects or improper operation.

signs: the starter does not turn the engine at all or turns it unstable, while the lights on the instrument panel are dim.

Solutions:

  • If the battery somehow reacts to attempts to start the car, then you can try to turn on the low beam headlights for a few seconds. This will help "wake up" the battery, and on the next try it will give required amount energy.
  • Check the battery terminals: Dirt or oxidation often breaks the connection. Cleaning them can restore normal current flow.
  • Start car with mechanical box pusher gears.
  • "Smoking" from another car.
  • If you have time, you can remove the battery and take it to a warm place to warm it up.
  • Radical measure- installation new battery, preferably larger capacity.

Prevention:

  • Remove the battery and take it to heat for the night (this is what most car owners of the Siberian and Ural regions do).
  • Install a system that will monitor the temperature of the engine, and when it drops to the set level, the electronics can independently start the car and maintain the "working" temperature.

Starter malfunction

Cause: in the event of a malfunction due to internal disturbances or misalignment, the starter consumes a large number of current and does not output the necessary power to scroll the frozen engine.

signs: the starter does not turn when guaranteed good battery. During the start of the engine, in addition to the usual sounds, an unpleasant noise appeared.

Solutions: starter repair or replacement.

Prevention: No.

Excessively thick engine oil

Cause: due to the low temperature, the oil "does not let" the moving parts of the power units. Most often this happens if the oil is old and heavily contaminated, does not meet the operating temperature conditions, or is simply of inadequate quality.

signs: fresh battery and a serviceable starter turn the engine with great difficulty, and a dense consistency is visible on the oil dipstick.

Solutions: it is almost impossible to quickly change frozen oil. You need to either wait for warming, or warm the car in a warm room. With a manual gearbox, you can “drag” the car in tow for some time so that the shaft turns.

Prevention:

  • Monitor oil quality by buying branded brands in trusted places with numbers in the 0W or 5W index, synthetics for new cars and semi-synthetics for cars with mileage over 100,000 km. Before pouring new oil, the canister with it can be left in the cold. If it has retained its consistency - everything is in order, but if it has thickened a lot and does not splash (this can be understood without opening the package) - return it to the seller.
  • As a last resort, before long-term parking when the car can cool down completely, immediately after the engine is turned off, you can pour 100-200 ml of gasoline into the crankcase. The fuel will dilute the oil and the engine will spin. This procedure is harmless enough, but you should not abuse it. Especially undesirable "dilution" for modern engines, which require various lubricating, cleaning and antioxidant additives.

Ignition system misaligned

Cause: due to problems in wiring or parts high voltage does not reach the candles (or comes in a very weakened form), and a spark is not produced.

signs: the starter turns, the shaft turns, but the car does not start. The check is divided into three stages: a spark in a distributor, a spark in a candle and the candle itself. It is necessary to pull out the central wire from the cover of the distributor and bring it to some unpainted part of the mass of the car by one centimeter. When the key is turned in the ignition, a spark can be seen near the wire and a characteristic clicking sound can be heard. If they are not, then the problem is in the coil or high-voltage wires. The current may also not reach the candles. To check this, you need to remove the wire from any candle, bring it to the mass by 5 mm and again try to start the car. The spark will be weaker and quieter, but you can see it. This procedure is best done with gloves or by wrapping the candle wire in an insulating cloth. If there is voltage, then the problem is in the candles, if not, then in the cover of the distributor, slider or wiring. Wiring problems can be detected if you start the car in the dark - then all the "weak" places glow from small sparks of bad contacts.

Solutions:

  • In relatively high humidity, spraying can help. high voltage wires special water-repellent aerosol.
  • Replacing or calcining candles, replacing a distributor, high-voltage wires or an individual coil (depending on the car model).

Prevention: before the cold weather in the service, adjust the ignition system, this will also have a positive effect on fuel consumption.

Bad gasoline or its supply is broken

Cause: diluted gasoline. If the fuel is diluted with lower quality, then this is reflected in the power of the car and the contamination of its parts. But if gasoline is simply mixed with water, then in the cold it and condensate freeze. Condensation can disrupt the operation of the entire fuel system or one of its sections - from the filter to the fuel pump.

signs: all systems work well, but the engine does not “seize”, while the candles are dry, and the exhaust pipe smells of unburned gasoline or there is no fumes. If you keep an open fire above a small spot of gasoline at a distance of 5-6 cm, and it does not ignite, then there is too much water in the fuel, and it does not allow carbohydrates to evaporate. The unscrewed candle is either completely dry (gasoline is not supplied or there is none at all), or filled with gasoline

Solutions: use so-called "gasoline dryers" according to the instructions, if the problem is only a fire. If this does not help, then you need to wait for warming or warm the car in a warm room. After warming up, if possible, drain bad gasoline and clean / dry all elements of the system.

Prevention:

  • Refuel at trusted gas stations.
  • If there is any doubt about the quality of the fuel, then use additives that bind water to the gel, at each refueling.
  • How more gasoline in the gas tank, the fewer surfaces on which water can condense. Accordingly, in winter it is better not to drive with a half-empty tank.
  • Filter installation fine cleaning with a sump that will collect excess water. The closer it is to the gas tank, the better.

Everything works, but the spark plugs are flooded

Cause: The spark plugs are so dirty that no spark can enter the ignition chamber. Or until other systems worked, gasoline was supplied to the combustion chambers and “filled” the candles, representing no air mixture, but a liquid.

signs: the unscrewed spark plugs are completely covered with gasoline. It is best to check them before the battery is completely dead. The exhaust smells like unburned gasoline.

Solutions:

  • If the situation has not reached a critical level, then you need to temporarily stop trying to start the engine. Wait a few minutes for the petrol to "drain". Turn the engine with the starter for a few seconds, fully depressing the gas pedal, to "ventilate" the cylinders and try again. The driest cylinders can “grab” and pull the rest along with them.
  • Cleaning of candles, their calcination or replacement. Unscrewed candles can be cleaned with a simple toothbrush and a modern cleaning agent. The main thing is not to get carried away and not damage the insulating layer. Candles can be ignited on the burner of the stove until they cannot be taken by hand. The hotter the spark plugs are when they are screwed into the engine, the better.

Prevention:

  • When the car is started for the first time, do not immediately press on the gas pedal. Let it first "grab" in the standard starting mode.
  • Periodically check the function of the glow plugs.

"Summer" solar

Cause: the jelly-like state of the fuel interferes with its pumping, and the paraffin flakes formed from the cold clog the fuel system.

signs: the starter turns, but the engine does not catch. There is no fumes from the exhaust pipe.

Solutions:

  • Use autochemistry type "quick start" according to the instructions.
  • Shed hot water nozzles, fuel filter, pump high pressure, avoiding contact with the starter and alternator, and try to start again.

Prevention:

  • Refuel with "winter" diesel fuel and, in case of doubt or expected cooling, add anti-gel or depressant additives.
  • Before starting, turn on the ignition several times, warming up the candles, but do not start the engine.
  • Install the fuel filter heater.

Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Globally, the installation of a pre-heater can solve the problem of starting the engine in cold weather.

Often, neither the first nor the second time, the car does not start in severe frost, but it “grabs” for an increasingly longer period. Patiently repeat the starter scrolling for no more than 10 seconds until the car starts.

Sometimes the reason that the car will not start may be condensation in exhaust pipe. It can be removed simply by physical cleaning.

If the car has a manual transmission, then it is better to start it with the clutch depressed. In this case, only the engine crankshaft rotates, and the gears of the gearbox remain in place, which reduces the load on the starter.

Before leaving the car for a long time, dry the brake pads and do not leave the car on the "handbrake". brake pads can freeze to disks (with drum brakes the situation is even more unpredictable), and then with all the systems running, the wheels simply will not spin. In order for the car not to roll away, it is better to leave the car in gear (manual transmission) or in the parking lot (automatic transmission), and with a large slope, place stops.

On many new foreign cars, the probability of starting is associated with the level of starting enrichment of the mixture, which is determined by electronics. This is due to the fact that in Europe "winter" gasoline is used with great content light fractions. Some vehicles may require longer cranking by the starter.

Do not use remote autostart from the alarm. Electronics does not understand the problems of a cold start, so it can land the battery and fill the candles.

Diesel engines are best to start on one try and turn the starter until it starts.

After the car has started, do not turn it off for a while. No need to immediately turn on the stove, heating, music and headlights - this is an additional burden on the battery. For the first few kilometers, it is better to drive at speeds up to 40 km / h, so that the components and assemblies gradually warm up.

Probably every motorist faced the problem of starting power unit in severe cold, when you need to go, but the car let you down and you had to get to the frost on foot. But maybe the fact is that you made a mistake during its launch?

For an easy start, the safety of some elements in good condition is important, but it's not just about them. We will tell right action and their order when starting in frost, as well as their differences in gasoline and diesel cars.

A few rules for starting a car in cold weather

A few tips on how to start a car in cold weather and not drain the battery, as cold start has several specific features:

  1. In severe frosts, before starting the engine, you need to warm up the battery. This can be done by turning on the high beam for 10 seconds. After that, turn off and wait a minute, run the start.
  2. If the engine does not start on the first try, you can try to put an additional load on the battery and turn on a few more current consumers, for example, heating or music.
  3. After ignition, wait a few seconds, at this time the fuel pump will pump gasoline, then start the car engine.
  4. It must be remembered that when starting all electronic devices machines must be turned off. This will help minimize battery consumption.

These tips will help not only to properly perform a cold start of the engine, but also to keep the battery in working condition.

Why is a good battery so important in cold weather?

The answer to the question “how to start a car in cold weather” is quite simple - good and good battery key to a successful launch.

A good battery is essential sub-zero temperatures, since it is very cold weather significantly increases the load on the battery. Namely, if you do not delve into the ongoing electrochemical processes inside the battery, then the reason for the decrease in the level of charge and the increase in the discharge characteristics of the battery is an increase in the viscosity and resistance of the electrolyte.

In a very negative temperature in winter, the resistance to scrolling the engine shaft increases significantly and, in turn, the starter current consumption from the battery increases. In conditions of extremely low temperatures without the use additional funds, facilitating the engine start, the battery gives off a charge faster than it restores. Therefore, with a systematic consumption of energy in the cold season, the battery cannot accumulate it to the required extent, which ultimately leads to its complete discharge.

Thus, in an unambiguous way to assess the condition of the battery will help the level of its charge.

The battery voltage rate is 12.6 - 12.9 (V) in a charged state, if the value is less, your battery is discharged.

Starting the engine with a dead battery

How to start a car in cold weather if the battery is completely discharged? The car can be started using an external power source. It can be a starting device or a battery of another car connected to a discharged battery with a cable.

Important! If the battery is frozen, then external source power supply is strictly prohibited. This may cause an explosion.

Using the starting device, you can start the car without connecting the battery to a power source. Such recharging can guarantee 15-30 starts, which in the future directly depends on the air temperature and battery performance.

Starting Devices

The starting device is often used when replacing the battery in order to prevent the disconnection of current consumers and, as a result, the loss of saved data and settings.

If not at hand charger, but there is another battery, you can use it to recharge the discharged one. This is of course long, but will allow you to start the engine.

There are a few things you need to know when charging a battery with another:

  1. It is important to remember about correct connection polarity terminals, as mismatched polarity may result in electric shock.
  2. A discharged battery must be properly installed and connected to onboard network car.
  3. The battery voltage must be the same.
  4. Indicators nominal capacity must correspond in such a way that the capacity of the battery from which the charge comes should be lower than the capacity of the discharged battery.
  5. Before disconnecting the starter cable, it is worth turning on some electronic devices, with the possibility of eliminating current surges.

What else can help a frozen car?

Keeping in mind a couple of organizational points, you can be sure that the car will start in cold weather.

  1. You need to warm up the engine! Experienced auto mechanics recommend periodically warming up the car engine in frosty weather. And after starting, the temperature of the coolant should reach 40-50 degrees. If the temperature on the car is not displayed in numbers, then you can see the warm-up in terms of speed, they should drop to 1000 rpm. After that, it is possible to start a smooth movement of the car without sharp accelerations and braking.
  2. Bad oil. Due to the old and, as a result, contaminated oil, most often its primary characteristics no longer correspond to the operating mode, therefore, due to frost, such oil often “does not start” the moving parts of the car. Therefore, timely oil prevention will help to forget about this problem, especially since it is almost impossible to quickly change frozen oil, you will have to warm the car in a warm room.
  3. The spark plugs are full. If you have been turning the starter for a long time while pressing the gas, you may have flooded the candles, you must immediately stop trying to start the engine and wait a while. When gasoline drains, you can try again by fully depressing the gas pedal and then turning the engine with a starter, the car should start.
  4. If the car is equipped with a start-stop button, you must first press it to turn on the fuel pump and pump pressure into the system. You will hear the pump turn on. Then we already squeeze out the brake and press the button again.

The special science of the diesel engine

Due to the peculiarities of work and the principles of the structure, they have their own operating conditions during the period of low temperatures in winter. In practice, given these principles of operation, you can count on the successful launch of a diesel engine in cold weather.

All the nuances of this type engines lie inside him, in his design features devices.

First, this diesel fuel. At a temperature of about 0 degrees, the paraffins that make up the fuel become gel-like, which becomes an obstacle to its penetration into the engine itself.

Secondly, the method of ignition itself fuel mixture. Diesel fuel, unlike gasoline, where the ignition process occurs from a spark, ignites from high pressure. But at a negative temperature, diesel fuel is not able to warm up and flare up.

For a diesel engine, winter comes with a temperature of + 5 degrees, and as it decreases, all problematic moments make themselves felt at startup.

To prevent this, it is necessary to change the fuel to winter fuel in time, there are three types of diesel fuel in total:

  • summer - freezes at -5 ° C;
  • winter - used up to -35 ° C;
  • arctic - freezes at -55°C.

Preparing for winter, if you will frequently start a diesel engine in cold weather, should include:

  1. Compression pressure check. If the compression index is less than 25, and the air temperature is below 20 degrees, then the car should not be left on the street or it is necessary to warm it up.
  2. Checking candles. Glow plugs must provide in the combustion chamber the temperature necessary for the process of self-ignition and mixture formation. In preparation for winter launches it is worth checking by connecting them to a power source, within 5 seconds they should glow, otherwise replacement is necessary.

Starting a diesel engine in winter

When starting a diesel engine in low temperatures in winter, first of all, it is necessary to check the condition of the battery and only after that proceed with the launch. If it so happened that the engine does not start the first time, you need to ignite the glow plugs several times.

This is what a glow plug looks like

The light bulb will serve as a reference dashboard or a characteristic sound - relay click. In the beginning, after warming up the glow plugs, you must wait until the relay turns them off. Then turn off the ignition and, after waiting for a while, about 15 seconds, repeat the same action. With this method, if your candles are in good condition and the fuel is flowing properly, the engine should start.

If there are no problems with your engine, then you can use a special flammable aerosol. The use of such mixtures will help to reduce the required temperature threshold for fuel ignition. They also contain additives that lubricate the parts and thereby eliminate dry cold friction at the time of start-up.

Errors when starting a diesel engine

And now, imagine, frosty winter morning you decide to start your car. Even if the car passed winter training in full, it is necessary to adhere to a certain algorithm.

It is important to remember about warming up the battery and candles. First of all, the biggest and most common mistake car owners make in this case is battery warming up high beam, but this technique is effective only on gasoline engine. Diesel behaves differently and the best option the ignition will be switched on for a while, up to 15 seconds. This helps the battery and spark plugs to warm up before winding.

Modern diesel cars very often they have in their configuration a system with a start-stop button. They have a special mode designed to warm up the glow plugs. In order to use it, you need to press the button, while not pressing the brake, usually 6 seconds is enough. After that, when the glow plug icon on the instrument panel goes out, your engine will be ready to start.

The diesel must be started with the clutch pedal depressed. At the same time, the starter turns the engine for 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, you can wait a few seconds and try starting again.

Therefore, take precautions and do not try artisanal methods if the car is dear to you and the time you lose if it breaks down, not to mention finances. It is more important to be prepared for frosts in advance and then you will not know what “won’t start” means!

So, it’s minus 30 outside, your car is frozen and won’t start, all the ritual dances around it have been performed, and there’s no strength to waste any more time. Most likely, due to frost and due to the rare use of the car, your battery is quite discharged. Follow our tips to understand how to start a car in the cold quickly and correctly.

The car may not start due to bad contact terminals and battery. This can happen not only in severe frost, but also in any other weather. Anyway, better first case to check the contact of the connections. To do this, open the hood of the car and with wrenches (usually a 10 open-end wrench is suitable), alternately tighten both battery terminals to the limit. If these manipulations were enough to start the car - luck is on your side! But if the car still does not start when you turn the ignition key, then your battery has really sat down.

If time suffers (if not, read tip number four) you can unscrew the battery and take it to a warm room to “warm up”. Depending on room temperature, it will take between 30 minutes and three hours to thaw a frozen battery.

Attention! Never attempt to heat the battery with heat sources forcibly, as this is dangerous to your health and battery performance. Only gentle warming under the influence of room temperature is suitable here.

Tip 3. Recharge the battery from the charger

Again, if you have at least an hour of time, we recommend putting the battery on charge. Either take the battery home, or charge it locally, of course, if you have an outlet and charger handy.

To recharge the battery, you need to disconnect from the battery automotive terminals, and connect the charger clamps in their place. Plus to plus, minus, respectively, to minus. A half hour charge might be enough.

To start a frozen car without removing the battery, try to cheer it up. To do this, turn on the low or high beam headlights for 15-20 seconds. And only after that turn the key in the starter. The engine of the car should start, and if this did not happen immediately, wait a couple of minutes and repeat the manipulations with the high beam headlights. If the car does not start from the 3rd approach, it is a serious matter, the battery is completely discharged and you need to change the strategy.

Take off your gloves, raise your right hand parallel to the ground and bend your thumb. Catch a passing car and ask the savior to give you a "light". To correctly and safely light one car from another, you need to take three simple steps:

Remember: The black battery terminal is negative, the red terminal is positive.

  1. Using wires with lighter clips, first connect the positive terminal of the discharged battery and the same positive terminal of the charged one. With the second wire, connect the negative terminal of the charged battery and, attention !!!, ground ( metal part car engine). Do not connect negative terminals to each other.
  2. First you need to start the car with a charged battery. Let it run at 2000 rpm for 20 minutes. This time will be enough for your frozen battery to recharge from the donor to the level necessary to start the engine on its own.
  3. Start your car and, if the start is completed, let both cars work together for another 5-10 minutes. Disconnect the wires from the batteries in reverse order.

There are no other cars in the area, and the previous advice did not fit? Nothing, we will help you start your car in this terrible frost in a different way.

Attention! This way to start a car is only suitable for owners of a car with a manual transmission and, preferably, with a carburetor.

In our case, we can not do without outside help. You'll need another pair of hands. One steers, the other pushes. We start the car from the pusher. Basic Rules:

  1. The one in the cabin turns the ignition key and, keeping the clutch pressed, puts the gear lever on II or III speed.
  2. The one who is less fortunate and who pushes the car in the cold accelerates it at least to a speed of 10 km / h. This is the speed of a leisurely run.
  3. Slowly release the clutch and the car should start. Let the car warm up for at least 10 minutes.

Tip 7. Start the car using special equipment

If there is a car service nearby, they can quickly help you with starting the car engine. Nowadays portable starter chargers. This is the simplest and safe way start the car in the cold.

Watch a video about various start-up chargers:

This is the most expensive way to start a car in cold weather. Buy new battery, and high power. All new batteries are sold in a charged state and you will start the car with half a turn.

Other reasons why the car does not start in the cold

If the battery is good and fully charged, it is possible that the car will not start in cold weather for the following reasons:

  • Filled with spark plugs;
  • Starter defective;
  • Engine oil too thick;
  • The ignition system is misaligned;
  • Disrupted fuel supply or low-quality gasoline.

Timely prevention will help not to worry about how to start the car in minus 30

The key to a calm winter for drivers is timely preventive maintenance. It is better to change the oil in the middle of autumn, preferring types with an alphanumeric index 5w or 0w. Such oils will not thicken even at -30 degrees. Also in the fall, do not forget to change the fuel, air and oil filters.

In addition, in order not to worry about how to start the car at minus 30, it does not hurt to check the level and density of the electrolyte before the onset of cold weather, if necessary, change the washer and antifreeze, check spark plugs, armored wires, generator tension and charging.

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