Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Park your car inside a garage or under a carport, if possible. Keeping your car under cover can lessen the effects of snow and extreme temperatures on your car.
Step2
Put the key in the ignition, and try to start the car. If it doesn't start within 5 seconds, stop and wait a minute before trying it again. If you car is not fuel-injected, you should pump the gas once or twice before turning the key.
Step3
Make sure your car's battery is new and full of power. An old, weak battery doesn't have the power needed to start a car in freezing weather.
Step4
Apply heat to the engine bay of the car. Use a circulator heater designed for warming engine bays. This will heat up the fluids in the engine and make the car easier to start.
Step5
Allow the car to sit in the Park or Neutral position after starting. The oil needs time to warm up and thin before you drive. Starting the car and driving off immediately can damage the engine.
Comments
mikemalli said
on 4/23/2008 One of the statement given in this report are completely incorrect. After the car has fired up it should be drive away as soon as possible. An idling car engine does not produce sufficient heat to warm up the engine oil fast. The faster the oil heats up, the better. Also, a car that idles uses lots of fuel, is pure poison for the environment and cheeses off the neighborhood. Idling engines cannot heat the catalytic converter so they are unable to treat the exhaust gas. Hence, start the car and drive off immediately.
Mike, Automotive Engineer