Oct 5, 2020
The cold, dark mornings are slowly but surely creeping back into our lives and it’s no secret we all have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Cars are now going to be bearing the frosty and cold weather as we move out of Autumn and head first into winter.
During these times, some car owners across the UK will be facing the issue of a non-starting car. Low temperatures can cause issues with car batteries making it harder for your engine to turn over in the morning, and the cold can even stop your engine oil from flowing which adds more strain on the battery.
Here are the main reasons why cars might not start on a cold morning.
Why will my car not start on a cold morning?
To prevent the struggles that come with the cold weather, here are a few of the main reasons why cars will not start on cold mornings.
Car batteries
As we mentioned above, low temperatures cause issues with batteries as they produce less electrical current due to the chemical reaction being slower than normal. Cold batteries simply can’t produce the same amount of power as warm batteries, which can often be the root cause of your start up issues.
Engine oil
During the drop in temperatures, engine oil may become thicker meaning it can’t flow around the engine as freely as it would. As it’s more difficult to be pumped through the engine, this will place an additional strain on the battery and if the battery is already low on power, this can cause your car not to start.
Moisture in fuel lines
In the rare event that this happens, moisture will freeze and cause a blockage in the fuel lines leading the engine not to start. This is particularly common as fuel lines are easily blocked by ice due to being so thin. Diesel drivers also need to remember diesel will gel in the cold, making it harder to deliver power to the engine.
Issues with the carburettor
More common in older cars is a device called the carburettor, which mixes oxygen with small amounts of fuel in order for an internal combustion engine to function properly. This can result in hard starting during the colder months due to malfunctioning or a dirty choke. If the choke fails to close, it will suck in too much air and there will be issues with starting up.
Take care of your car during the winter months by taking your car for a service and carrying out other measures such as carrying extra windscreen wash and checking your tyre tread regularly to ensure your car is ready for the months ahead.
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