HOW TO START A CAR IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Car engines are difficult to start in winter months, especially in subzero weather. When the weather sinks below zero, the components of your engine whether metal, rubber or plastic pieces, are in danger of breaking or cracking. Gas evaporates less in the cold, but it is evaporation that provides the gas vapors that ignite the engine.  Oil gets thicker in cold temperatures, which means it can't flow through the engine as well. In addition, the battery reacts more slowly in the cold, making it much more difficult to get the engine to turn over.

Modern fuel injected )cars are great, but for those of us who don't have them there are several tips to ensure your car starts when you turn the key.

1. Oil : Thin oil, like 0-20 or 5-20 will let the engine crank over faster due to lower viscosity and friction. Think of the difference between stirring a frozen milkshake vs. a melted one. If you haven't had an oil change to winter weight oil, this is the least expensive maintenance item you can due to fight off old man winter.

2. Battery:  A good battery with plenty of CCA's (cold cranking amps is essential. A battery may only last 3-4 years in Minnesota so you may want to look at yours.  Since electricity from the battery is the result of a chemical reaction, and the reaction slows down in the cold, the best defense is a new, strong battery.

3.  Heat- Keeping your car in a garage whether heated or unheated is the very best way to keep your car from freezing. But, since all of us can't keep our cars inside a blockheater is an alternative. The cost of a blockheater is in the neighborhood of $200 installed and over time could save you valuable time and money. You need access to power and an extension cord outside to use one, but in Minnesota this is a great tool.

As always, I'll remind you that maintaining your car's health with regular oil changes is still the number one way to keep it reliable in any weather.

Stay warm. Drive safely.