Carolina boy in Iowa: Cold weather car trouble.

[N80]

My son (23 years old) has been in Iowa for a couple of years now. Works in a Fleet Farm store. Up until now he has been lucky and his 14 year old Nissan Maxima has started for him. Yesterday it did not and he missed work. As far as I know he has never done anything to winterize the car and even though he is supporting himself and holding his own, he is a bit of a....well, let's just say procrastinator.

Now, yesterday it was pretty cold even for Iowa but apparently Fleet Farm does not close for any cold weather and he is expected to be there. So 'my car wouldn't start' is no excuse.

I'm sure local folks can, and probably have, given him some advice for avoiding cold related problems but so far he has taken no measures to winterize the car. And I'm not sure he would take the initiative to seek good advice. I think last winter was a bit milder.

I know nothing about what needs to be done. I know there are block heaters and dipstick heaters but he claims there are no outside outlets at his apartment....but I bet there are. I think the block on this engine is aluminum so a magnetic block heater probably would not work.

So any basic advice I can give him that would be simple enough for me to explain to him and simple and cheap enough for him to accomplish?

 

[dodge man]

If its gas engine, there really isn't a lot you can do. Make sure the antifreeze is good and the battery is good. It may sound weird, but when its really cold people will often flood the car out. The thing to do then is hold the gas pedal to the floor. People are often trained not to touch the gas pedal when starting a fuel injected car, which holds true 99% of the time, but it is possible to flood them out.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Number One: Check your alternator/generator. If it's not putting out, your battery won't charge.
Number Two: Get a new battery. That's the usual problem.
Number Three: You really don't need a block heater for a gasoline engine unless the temps are -20 or below. And I'd be using it more to keep the oil fluid than to make it easier to start. Better yet is an oil pan heater in those cases.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

This won't do you any good with out an outside outlet but I work with several people from New Hampshire. We were talking about this yesterday and one guy said they would use one of the hand held work lights and just set it under the hood with a 100 watt bulb. He said it would keep the motor warm enough to make a difference in starting.

 

[murphy1244]

This won't do you any good with out an outside outlet but I work with several people from New Hampshire. We were talking about this yesterday and one guy said they would use one of the hand held work lights and just set it under the hood with a 100 watt bulb. He said it would keep the motor warm enough to make a difference in starting.

My Dad did that for years when he did not have a Garage

 

[N80]

I realize having the block warm doesn't affect ignition in a gas engine but it seems that it would help with the oil viscocity, which in turn would help with ease of turning over (easier on the starter motor, less battery juice required). As mentioned, warming the oil pan might be more effective than warming the block. But I'm just thinking out loud here.....I really know nothing about this.

However, I have had two relevant observations. Last week I was cutting firewood and it was in the upper teens and when I went to put some bar oil in the chainsaw it came out like honey! And then this morning it was 7 degrees here in SC shocked and the fluid in the manual transmission of my car was so thick it was hard to move the stick and with it in neutral and the clutch engaged (foot off pedal) the car would try to move forward when the engine was running.

Anyway, I appreciate the tips. I suspect a new battery and antifreeze change would help.

 

[dpb800]

From a fellow Iowan, His car should have the proper antifreeze as it helps the cars coolant system perform better with cold tempratures and hot tempratures. The most likely cause is weak battery. Yes the weak battery can be from age or because it is not being charged, the alternator is going out. Both of the those potential problems can be figured out for free at a local parts store. Most parts store will check your battery and alternator for free. My bet is on an old battery. If it was starting fine previously and it didn't start on our unusally cold (-18F) mornings these past few days it is very likely a weak battery and not the alternator.

 

[HillStreet]

All of the above, plus PLAN B if car won't start, like alternate transportation to get to work on time.

 

[kenmac]

If he lives where it gets very cold. He may want to change over to a good synthetic oil. A good synthetic will flow a lot better than regular oil in cold temps. which will aid in the engine turn over with less effort . As far as giving advise to offspring,, I have tied to give my 26 yr old advise on several occasions . Let me know when you find a way to get the advise that is given to sink in. I've tried everything I know. None of my methods have worked. I have come to the conclusion that he just has to learn the hard way

 

[N80]

I have come to the conclusion that he just has to learn the hard way

Amen.

I've told him for years, if you're going to be stupid, you better be tough.:laughing:

(In the interest of full disclosure I have to say that he has never been in trouble, no alcohol or drugs. He has a full time job with benefits and insurance and does not call home for money even though he's barely getting by. So I can't really complain. It is just frustrating when you give them every benefit to do or be anything they want to be and they chose to drop out of college ( which was almost completely paid for with academic scholarships) and piddle around doing nothing but video games.)

But as kenmac says, life will teach them the lessons the we couldn't.