How to start a car when it's very cold?

Winter has not yet arrived, but the thermometers are already below zero in half of Spain. These freezing temperatures lead to a number of problems, including the inability to start the car at times.

Car, cold.
Starting your car when it's cold requires a series of vehicle care, especially for the battery.

Winter brings with it a major challenge for car engines: low temperatures. As the mercury drops to near or above freezing, the mechanical parts of vehicles are faced with conditions for which they are not optimised, making starting or starting significantly more difficult.

For this reason, taking care of your car against extreme cold is essential during the winter months. Taking specific measures will not only make starting the engine easier, it will also reduce wear on the various components of the vehicle, preserving its useful life. By following a series of tips, you can ensure a smoother start and avoid unnecessary demands on the internal systems of the car.

The battery, a key part of the start-up

In cold seasons, especially during winter, car batteries face a more demanding job to start the engine. They also have to cope with the additional consumption of electrical systems, such as rear window defrosters or heated seats, if the vehicle is equipped with them. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the battery is in optimal condition before starting the car.

To reduce the strain on the battery when starting the engine, it is advisable to switch off all on-board systems that consume power unnecessarily. This includes items such as the radio, heater or any connected electronic devices. Lights should also remain off during starting, as their consumption can negatively affect the battery's performance at such critical times.

In addition, in situations of extreme cold, there are effective methods to help the battery perform better. One of them is to warm it slightly before starting. To do this, safe alternatives can be used such as placing a hot water bottle or warm cloths previously heated in the microwave on the surface of the battery for about 15 minutes.

To reduce the strain on the battery when starting the engine, it is advisable to disconnect all on-board systems that consume energy unnecessarily.

Another option is to use a hair dryer, keeping it at a safe distance of at least 10 centimetres. Never use wet cloths on the terminals, wet the battery, bring open flames near it or exceed the temperatures recommended by the manufacturer.

5 things you should keep in mind about your car

Below we leave you with some other guidelines for starting your car when it's cold.

  1. Press the clutch pedal fully before starting the engine: this recommendation applies to vehicles with manual transmissions. Doing so disengages the transmission, reducing the load on the starter motor even when the car is in neutral.
  2. Avoid holding the key in the ignition for too long: if the engine does not start on the first attempt, do not hold the key in the ignition for more than five seconds. This could damage both the battery and the starter motor. It is best to wait about 20 seconds before trying again, allowing the battery to recover some of its energy.
  3. Activate the glow plugs on diesel engines several times: before starting the engine, it is advisable to turn the ignition on until the glow plug indicator light goes off, then turn it off and repeat the process two or three times. This ensures that the glow plugs reach the right temperature to facilitate ignition.
  4. Park in sheltered places: parking in a garage is ideal during the winter, but if this is not possible, look for a space sheltered from the wind or where it does not directly hit the front of the car. Parking near a streetlight can help, as this light source generates a little heat. Another option is to cover the bonnet with a blanket, which can slightly increase the engine temperature and make starting easier.
  5. Gently tap the bonnet before starting the engine: This tip is useful to ensure that no animals, such as cats, are sheltering in the engine compartment seeking warmth. When starting the engine, moving parts could cause serious injury to them. A few gentle taps will help prevent this.