What Should I Do If My Car Won’t Start in Cold Weather?

There’s nothing worse than stepping outside on a freezing morning, turning the key, and hearing nothing but silence. Cold weather can be brutal on your car, and if it refuses to start, you’re not alone. Many drivers face the same issue when temperatures drop, but why does this happen? More importantly, how can you fix and prevent it from happening again?

Why Does Cold Weather Affect Your Car

Cold temperatures make life harder for your vehicle’s battery, engine oil, and fuel system. When the temperature drops, your car’s battery loses power, oil thickens, and fuel struggles to vaporize properly—all of which can make starting your engine difficult.

Batteries are particularly sensitive to the cold. A fully charged battery operates at reduced efficiency in freezing conditions, and if it’s already weak, it may not have enough power to start the engine. Meanwhile, thickened oil makes it harder for the engine to turn over, while moisture in the fuel system can freeze and block fuel lines.

Steps to Take When Your Car Won’t Start

Check the Battery First

A weak or dead battery is the most common reason a car won’t start in cold weather. If you turn the key and hear a slow cranking sound or clicking noise, your battery might not have enough charge. Try turning on the headlights—if they appear dim, it’s a sign that your battery is struggling.

If you have jumper cables and another vehicle available, jump-starting your car may get it running again. If the car starts with a jump, it means the battery is either weak or near the end of its lifespan. It’s best to have it tested and replaced if necessary.

Try Warming Up the Battery

If you don’t have jumper cables or another car to help, warming the battery might help. Batteries lose power in the cold, and bringing the charge back up may be as simple as turning on the headlights for a couple of minutes before trying to start the car again. You can also try removing the battery and bringing it inside to warm up, then reinstalling it and attempting to start the engine.

Check the Fuel System

Cold weather can cause condensation to form inside the fuel system, leading to frozen fuel lines. If your car cranks but doesn’t start, it could be struggling to get fuel. If you suspect this is the issue, adding a fuel line antifreeze product to your gas tank can help thaw out any ice buildup. Keeping your gas tank at least half full during winter can also reduce the chances of condensation forming inside the tank.

Listen for the Starter and Ignition Issues

If the battery seems fine but the car still won’t start, listen for clicking or grinding noises when you turn the key. A single click usually means the starter motor isn’t engaging properly, while repeated rapid clicks indicate a battery issue. If you hear nothing at all, the ignition switch or starter motor could be failing.

A temporary fix for a stuck starter motor is tapping it lightly with a wrench or hammer—sometimes this can free up a jammed gear and get the engine running. However, if your car frequently has trouble starting, it’s a sign that the starter may need replacement.

How to Prevent Your Car from Struggling

While dealing with a car that won’t start is frustrating, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Get Your Battery Tested – If your battery is more than three years old, have it checked before winter to ensure it has enough power to handle cold starts.
Park in a Garage or Use a Battery Warmer – Keeping your car indoors or using a battery blanket can help maintain battery temperature and prevent it from losing charge overnight.
Use a Block Heater – If you live in an extremely cold area, a block heater can keep your engine warm and make starting easier in the morning.
Regular Maintenance – Checking your spark plugs, alternator, and starter motor before winter hits can help you catch any potential issues before they leave you stranded.

If you’re experiencing frequent cold-weather starting problems, it may be time to have your vehicle inspected by a professional. If you're in Michigan and need expert diagnostics and repairs, a trusted repair shop can ensure your car is ready to handle the winter months.

Don’t let winter leave you stranded! Visit ATS Fleet Service in Michigan for expert cold-weather vehicle maintenance and repair. Schedule an appointment now!

No matter where you are in Michigan, one of our eight locations is close to you: