As temperatures drop, problems with starting vehicles also increase. Many drivers are then faced with the problem that the car starts only with difficulty or does not start at all. But why exactly is that?
The battery – The most common cause of starting problems
In winter, the cold often leads to battery problems as they lose performance at low temperatures. At low temperatures, the chemical reactions in the battery slow down, significantly reducing its capacity. At temperatures below zero, the battery loses up to 35 percent of its capacity, and at extreme temperatures it can even be up to 50 percent, according to the mobility magazine Motus.
According to a report by the ADAC, around 42 percent of all winter breakdowns can be traced back to a weak or discharged battery. Additional consumers such as heaters and lights also place greater strain on the battery, making the starting process even more difficult. A weak starter or flickering lights are signs that the battery is about to fail.
Thick engine oil makes starting difficult
Motor oil plays an important role as it lubricates the engine and protects it from wear. But at low temperatures the oil becomes more viscous, which reduces its lubricity and makes the engine harder to turn. Especially at extremely low temperatures, this can significantly slow down the starting process because the engine requires more energy to even start. Mobile.de points out that even modern oils can become viscous under extreme conditions. This increases resistance and more energy is required to get the motor moving.
Frozen fuel lines – Particularly problematic on diesel vehicles
While gasoline vehicles are less likely to have problems with frozen fuel lines in winter, diesel vehicles often struggle with this phenomenon. At temperatures below -7 degrees, diesel begins to gel, which means small wax crystals form in the fuel. These can clog the filters and lines, significantly restricting fuel flow. This results in the car not getting enough fuel and the engine either not starting at all or starting only with great difficulty, explains MyCar.Repair. Another problem can be moisture in the fuel system that freezes in the lines and blocks flow. This can also happen with gasoline engines, but is much more common in diesel vehicles due to the higher viscosity of the fuel.
Editorial team finanzen.net