Starting in winter

Last few days (as the temps here in Boston have dropped to single
digits) my Accord 2000 has been taking a good 1-2 seconds to start.
Fuel tank has been near full all three days and last evening it was
well topped off. But it took its own sweet time starting this
morning. Not a problem right now, but it has me worried. All the more
because, it is parked in a covered parking lot overnight. Last winter
it never displayed any signs like these.

Any pointers will be appreciated.

 

How many miles on the car and the tune-up?

 

That's perfectly normal when it gets really cold. I live in Nova Scotia and
this morning it was
-22 C (-7 F) and my 2003 Accord cranked fairly slow and took about 3-4
seconds to start. As long as it starts, you're laughing. When it's cold
the oil gets thick and it's harder for the starter to turn the engine. A
cold battery doesn't help either. Like I said, as long as it starts, don't
worry about it. Besides, what do you care about 1-2 seconds? The thing
won't fire up the instant you turn the key. Most cars take 1-2 seconds to
start in the middle of summer. If your car started in 1-2 seconds in the
temperatures you mentioned, that's damn good.

 

============

Bryan,

There are some helpful hints in your Owner's Manual in the section about
'starting in cold weather'.

'Curly'

==============

 

About 39,000 in 3.5 years. 37,500 service is scheduled for this
Wednesday (14th). I am going to bring it up with them but just
thought to ask here first, since this group is pretty informed.

Last oil change was about 34,000 miles between the 30,000 and 37,500
service. All the services/oil changes so far have been done by Honda
dealerships on time.

 

It did not happen last year (that was the only real winter this car
has seen) but the temps were not as low AFAICR.

Well, during summer it starts the moment I turn the key. But I agree
that I should not worry as long as it starts. However, I am worrying
about the odd chance that it does not start and if there is any thing
I can do to avoid that situation. I try to remember to press the gas
pedal to floor before attempting to start every morning. And I try to
keep the fuel tank more than half full to keep the fuel line from
freezing. Are there any other things I should keep in mind?

Hopefully the temps will improve in the next few days and it will not
get any worse.

 

==================

Bryan,

Inless your manual is completely different from the CRV and Odyssey
manuals, it doesn't say to 'press the pedal to the floor'!

It says: For Cold weather / high altitude starting: Turn off all
electrical accessories (to reduce battery drain) HOLD the gas pedal
half-way to the floor, turn the key to START position for up to 15
seconds (no longer).

When the engine is not running, pushing the pedal to the floor and back
does NOTHING (except maybe free up a stuck throttle plate, but that's a
different thread). Your car is fuel injected. There's no mechanical
choke that needs to be 'loaded', and no accelerator pump to piss fuel
into the venturi.

We should really start calling it the air pedal, not gas pedal. Your
manual is telling you to hold the pedal half way to the floor because
the engine needs a little extra help getting air when it can't crank at
full speed, and because that position sets the computer to the optimum
fuel and ignition timing for cold starts.

I don't think it's really suggested in the manual, but in winter I
always perform the 'lamp check' to give the puel pump time to charge up
the system, before I start to crank it.

I hope this will clear up some confusion for some who don't understand
cold weather starting. I had some preconcieved notions about Fuel
Injection before I read my manual(s).

'Curly' On the chilly Canadian Prairies.

 

(Bryan Canter) wrote in

Each car has its own starting pattern. My Accord needs the starter engaged
for approx. .5 seconds to start, so as soon as I turn the key I let go of
it. My Nissan needs a good 2 seconds or so to start.

As your car ages you may experience slightly longer start times, I doubt
there's anything to be done about it. You are not supposed to floor the
throttle normally. RTFM (read the fine manual) !

 

Was the non-starting as turning over but not starting?
Also, have the battery & alternator checked. I have a '99 V6 Accord and
displayed the problems you state. One new battery later, it starts quicker
than I can ever remember.

Did it seem like a lack of gas?
If like a like of gas...when really cold, turn the key to "ON" for a few
seconds then try to start it. It should start easier.

Keith

 

in this cold weather we`re having now ? 5*F below zero)
235,000klms(145,700 miles)5w30 Mobil 1 oil

Last "tuneup" March `03.

Second battery... .I place a 150- watt light bulb in close proximity to the
battery to just give it a little edge in these cold mornings ? A fully
charged brand-new battery will lose HALF its power at 0*F.

So if your battery has some age on it it may lose a little more? therefore
accounting for the slower start-up time .

little, but not as much as dino oil will, given the same viscosity..

 

Thank you 'Curly' for the informative post (well, it wouldn't be *as*
informative if we all read the manual every once in a while -- I
remember skimming through it when I bought the car but that was in
Florida so, yes, I should give it a more thorough read again)

I will revise my starting procedure to (1) switch the key to 'On' (not
'Accesories' because that will start draining the batteries, right? Or
should I turn off the radio and turn it to 'Accesories?') and (2)
press the gas pedal about half way and hold it there for a couple of
seconds and finally (3) turn the key to Start position and hold it
until start or about 10 seconds.

Today was comparatively mild and it started within a second but cold
weather is on the way again, so this will come in very handy. Also, I
am taking her for service on Wednesday so I will ask them for advice
and post it here.

Drive safely all.

 

======================

Bryan,

I'll clarify a couple of things you said, since this is a very timely
topic for many owners in Eastern Canada and the New England states...
The 'accessories' part is talking about conservation of your poor
battery's precious resources. In very cold weather your battery's
ability to crank is greatly diminished, so the point they're making:
Don't sit there with the headlights on, listing to the weather report,
with heater fan blowing, and then expect your engine to start
effortlessly.

About the gas pedal. the 'FINE' (love that) manual states that you hold
the pedal half-way to the floor _while_ cranking in extremely cold
weather, because 1_ The engine needs air. 2_ That position of the
throttle sets the computer for the best combination of ignition timing
and fuel mix.

About the key: The manual also states that you should check your 'idiot
lights' once in a while, and it gives the added bonus of waiting an
extra two seconds for the fuel pump to 'charge' the injection system
BEFORE you start cranking the engine. For the owners of the Hondas that
have MAIN RELAY PROBLEMS, it gives them the opportunity to listen to the
fuel pump run (or not run), before trying to start.

'Curly'

 

Started my Honda other day...wind chill factored in at -37C...
SouthWest Quebec....Honda belts sqeaked and moaned...but the sweet
baby started...

R

 

Hate to sound so dumb but what are 'idiot lights?' Sounds like you
mean all the lights in the dash. But why do they call them so?

bc

 

===============

bc,

They're called 'idiot lights' because they are used in the place of
guages, which gave much more information, but an IDIOT couldn't be
trusted to interpret the display. So we have idiot lights, but the
problem with them: A true idiot won't know that the lights have to be
checked from time to time (per the fine manual)

P.S. Don't you love it when you drive by another car and there's a light
(or two) glowing red, blue, or maybe amber on the dash? Makes me wonder
if there's a loose wire, possibly between the ears

'Curly'

=============
--

 

Glad to hear it. What was the actual temperature? Wind chill doesn't
affect starting, only the rate at which the car cools down to the
actual temperature.

Coldest so far in Saint Paul (Minnesota) was about -5F. The car
cranked a little slowly, but started right up.

 

12 year old Accord fired up on first crack in -27 C the other morning.
Mike

 

That morning my outdoor thermotor was at -27C, about -18F...tonight...
they're forecasting -28C...or -20F...it's presently (18:09 EST -18C)
Honda in garage...Left the 2004 Matrix AWD with fresh Synthetic
outside.

I should tape the sounds that baby will make tomorrow AM!

BTW that Matrix AWD is real good in the snow

R

Good to know

 

Hi,
Make sure you push the gas pedal 2-3 times before engaging starter
when it is really cold. Even mentionedin the owners manual.
Tony

 

Don't you guys have a block heater? ... try to stay warm!