Car won't start in the cold: causes and what to do

Why cars won't start in the cold

• A weak battery. In the cold its capacity drops and the engine is harder to turn.
• Lights or other equipment left on the night before.
• On diesels: worn glow plugs or summer diesel that thickens in the cold.
• An old battery. After 4-5 years it often fails at the first hard frost.

What you can try yourself

1. Switch off the headlights, heating, radio and everything else.
2. With a manual gearbox, press the clutch while starting.
3. Crank the starter for no more than 10 seconds at a time.
4. Wait about a minute between attempts so the battery can recover.
5. On a diesel, wait for the glow plug light to go out before cranking.

What not to do

• Do not crank the starter for long, many times in a row. You will drain the battery completely.
• Do not pour hot water over the engine or the battery.
• Do not push-start a car with an automatic gearbox.
• Do not use jump leads if you are not sure of the order. A mistake can damage the electronics.

The right order for jump leads

If you have leads and another car to help:

1. Red lead on the positive (+) of the flat battery, then on the positive of the other battery.
2. Black lead on the negative (-) of the other battery, then on a metal part of your engine, away from the battery.
3. Start the other car, wait 2-3 minutes, then start yours.
4. Remove the leads in reverse order.

When to call for help

If the car still won't start after a few tries, you have no leads or you are not sure, call us. We come out and jump start cars, vans and trucks on the spot. If the battery needs replacing, we will tell you honestly and, if needed, tow the car to a garage.

How to avoid it this winter

• Have the battery tested before the cold sets in, especially if it is over 4 years old.
• On a diesel, fill up with winter diesel at large petrol stations.
• Do not leave the car standing for long in the cold. Drive it for at least 15-20 minutes at a time so the battery charges.