Starting your vehicle in frigid conditions - J&C Auto Service Tip, Downers Grove

This Week's Tips:

Starting your vehicle in frigid conditions:

Let the battery recover if the car fails to start. 
If your car does not start up after ten to twenty seconds of cranking, stop and wait for a minute or two before attempting to start again. This gives the battery time to recover by allowing the starter motor to cool down.Gently push on the gas pedal while still parked. 
Depress the accelerator once and then release it. This will inject a small amount of fuel into the engine which can help get things going. Only do this with engines with a carburetor. There is no need with fuel-injected engines. 
Almost every vehicle today have cold starting instructions in the Operator's Manual (who knew) that instruct you to use a small amount of throttle to help with a cold start. Refer to your vehicle's Operator's Manual for further information.
Turn the key and hold it for 20 seconds. This should help to get the engine going. Don't hold it for any longer than 20 seconds as over grinding the starter can cause mechanical damage. 
If the engine fails to turn over, wait a couple of minutes and try again.
Turn off all accessories. This includes the heater, radio and lights. This will help to maximize your starting power.
Consult the owner's manual. Things can vary from car to car and from model to model. What works for one may not work for another. This is why the owner's manual is the best source for 
guidance on how to start a particular car in cold weather.
If you do not have the owner's manual belonging to your car, you can order one from a car dealer, find one at a salvage yard or look for one at an auto parts chain.
You can also find many owner's manuals online. Try typing in "car owner manual" into a reputable search engine and look for relevant results.
Jump-start the battery. If the starter turns very slowly, or not at all, your battery is probably dead. It's now time for a jump-start. You will need a set of jumper cables 
and a willing volunteer with a running car.
Position the running car as close to the car with the dead battery as possible, with the bonnets facing each other, if possible.
Look for the + and - symbols on the jumper cables and connect the one with the + symbol to the positive terminals on both the running car and the car with the dead battery. 
Attach the cable with the - symbol to the negative terminals. Once the cables are connected, rev up the engine of the running car for a minute or two, getting the engine to an increasingly higher RPM.
Try to start the car with the dead battery. It may take longer than usual. If it doesn't work on the first try, double-check to make sure the jumper cables are connected properly before trying again.
If the car still won't start after a couple of tries, your only other option is to call for service, Call J&C Auto Service 630-699-9827.

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