How to start your car in cold weather?

During the winter in Quebec, temperatures can drop drastically in just a few hours. Fortunately, these tips will help you start your car in freezing weather.

First of all, you should know that synthetic oil resists intense cold better than its mineral equivalent, so it retains its useful properties better when starting your vehicle. A good quality, corrosion-free battery will also make it easier to maneuver, as will a sufficiently full fuel tank (the opposite can lead to condensation and the risk of frozen pipes). Electric cars, on the other hand, will work best with a full charge.

In addition, connecting an engine block heater for 2 to 3 hours will keep the engine components at a temperature that will help it start, regardless of the weather. According to experts, a starting attempt (with or without an engine block heater) should not exceed 10 seconds. To avoid undesirable damage, tests should ideally be spaced 30 seconds apart and limited to 4.

Finally, some owner’s manuals recommend to step on the accelerator when attempting to optimize engine power; however, this advice does not apply to all vehicles. Consult your manual for further details.

For an oil change or battery replacement, make an appointment at a Mister Muffler repair shop today!