Starting in winter

old school -> new school -> old school??

My first SEVERAL cars were carburated, and of course you pump that baby,
and hold it down a tad for real cold starts, but of course on carbureted
cars, it varied a bit depending on the car. I had one that worked great 3
pumps, and turn the key and it always fired. the first few fuel injected
cars I had said not to touch the pedal at all, now were back to pedal
pushing??? Also with the popularity of remote car starts, this doesnt
happen when remote started. So if its really cold, I should run out and
manualy start? WIerd.. Looking for my manual...

 

Hi,
Yup, when it is really cold. I just had to start in -35C weather after
parking the car 2 days outside. Tried remote start not wanting to go out in
the cold. Barely cranking but no go. Tried once more, almost battery is
gone. Went out, pumped pedal, BARELY managed to crank, fired up right
away. I was out at my cabin over the new year's day week end.
Manual mentions it as well.
Tony

 

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

Tony,

As a fellow Canadian, and fellow CRV owner, please don't take this
wrong, but your manual doesn't say to PUMP the pedal, but to HOLD the
pedal half way to the floor, while turning the key to the START
position.

Injected engines don't have an 'accelerator pump' (to squirt raw gas
into the intake), nor do they have a choke assembly (that has to be
'loaded') by pushing the pedal to the floor. So pumping the gas (air)
pedal on a fuel injected Honda does nothing. It's just an air valve
attached to a 'Throttle Position Sensor', with a return spring for
resistance.

However: When it's very cold, as per the fine Owner's Manual, you're
supposed to hold the pedal half way to the floor. This gives the engine
_AIR_, and also sets the computer to the optium settings of fuel mixture
and spark advance (probably none).

As mentioned before on this group, it's also wise to WAIT several
seconds for the fuel pump to charge up the pressure before stying to
start in cold weather. Good time to do the 'Lamp Check', also
recommended in the manual.

On MARKETPLACE (CBC TV comsumer show) tonight, the GM dealer that was
being interviewed mentioned that they sell Owner's Manuals for $30,000,
and each one comes with a free car. I like that.


'Curly'

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

 

Hi,
I did not mean pumping. Just push the pedal twice or so.
Tony

 

This AM had to keep pedal half way to start

R

 

I know its been a while, but yea -35c is &$^#ing cold. and I agree that
you should give it a bit of gas when that cold! We dont get that cold
here, thank God! Ocasonly we see -10f or so. On those days, I will grin
and bear it, and start the car manualy with a bit of juice on the peadal.