starting in the winter

[elvasoshexai]

been kind of cold the past few days here. in the morning, my camry (93 5sfe) still starts but it seems to be a lot weaker. same thing if i leave it outside for about 4hrs. feels like it ALMOST won't start... no problem in warmer weather though... is there anything i can do that will make it start better?

[Rico_S]

Not sure how much of a difference this makes,
The dealership put 5W30 oil in instead of 10W30 i guess it stays more viscous at lower temperatures.
It might be worth looking into. Last winter i had 10W30. So far this year the car seems to start alot easier on 5W30.
But it hasnt been REALLY cold yet.

[Porkch0p220]

its not as thick as 10w30 so it flows much easier

[Pineapple]

Check your battery. Maybe it getting old and can't supply the current needed. A good ignition system will make sure it start easy. Acturally MSD box and coil will make sure it start all the time.

[elvasoshexai]

other than battery any other part of ignition system i should check?

i'll also check out the oil thing too

[Hajoca]

Check that you do not load the starter , battery and alternator with Defrost, Fan on high, headlights on full power, A/C (is on when the vent select is on defogger) etc.


A relay should cut power to these items when cranking, but just the key in the on position will cause battery to drain if the engine is not running.

[elvasoshexai]

yea. i always turn off the fan/headlights before i turn off the car..

but yea.. i think something is starting to go... turned off my car for 5min to ship something. then when i came back and turned it on, it was a weak start

[karazy]

It wouldn't hurt to check the alternator, before you get a new battery.

[elvasoshexai]

ok. so battery and alternator and mayb oil... anything else i should get checked out while i'm at it?


pineapple: what is the msd box + coil you were talking about earlier?

[Pineapple]

After market ignition but check battery and alternator first.

[CDub LXi]

The heat of the summer makes the battery weaker. You don't notice this until winter. Your battery is probably ending the life expectancy too.

I love my Camry because I can leave the headlights on. When I take my key out of my ignition and open my driver side door, they turn off automatically!

[amerikim]

Winter is when weak batteries die.
The colder it gets, the less cranking amps available.

[Nick]

5w30 or thinner oil, preferably synthetic, coolant that is relatively new and properly mixed, battery blanket and block heater, those are the requirements up here, 2nd coldest city in canada...

[98CamryLE]

I've noticed the same thing with my 98 camry. Whenever it gets like 10 degrees F or colder.... it always seems to be much harder to start. It's been that way since the day I bought it....but it always has started on the first try, and it has never left me stranded.

[elvasoshexai]

didn't have time this weekend to get things checked.. but it's almost time for an oil change anyway. so i'll prolly use the 5w30 during next change... and i'll prolly get alt+batt checked while i'm at it