how to cold start a car

Asked by rebazg Jan 07, 2014 at 03:42 PM about the 2006 Nissan Sentra 1.8

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2006 Nissan Sentra 1.8 doesn't start. Temp is -16 here in Indiana. The car cranks but
doesn't start. I have tried started the car since yesterday, the battery  is about to die. Any
tips?

4 Answers

445

Gasoline ignites as low as 45 degrees below zero. So, -16 degrees, that is not your problem. But, how much gasoline is in the tank? In any very cold condition, the fuel tank should be kept full as much as possible. If you have less three-quarter to half a tank of gas, you will need to wait a day or so for the temperature to get back to normal to start the car. Don't waste the battery anymore until it warms up a lot. If possible, get the car out into the sunlight during the day. This is not a car-specific problem, just a universal problem. In the future, keep the gas tank mostly full in the winter.

1 people found this helpful.
5,035

recharge you battery and try some gas line antifreeze,might just be water in the gas.

2 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful

Thank you so much for answers Colin and Jimijobo. The fuel tank was almost full. It was the battery. My neighbor gave me a start jump and it worked. The battery was not so powerful to start the car. I have been trying starting my car since yesterday so the battery was almost dead. I appreciate your very good answers.

16,945

also helpful to floor the gas if it doesn't start right away to prevent flooding the engine. (flooring the gas when starting shuts off the injectors)

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Sentra

Looking for a Used Sentra in your area?

CarGurus has 1,812 nationwide Sentra listings starting at $2,195.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Doran Harney
    Reputation
    3,000
  • #2
    L_R
    Reputation
    2,940
  • #3
    GuruLK5L9
    Reputation
    1,580
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Nissan Altima
22 Great Deals out of 716 listings starting at $1,400
Used Honda Civic
180 Great Deals out of 3,705 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Corolla
108 Great Deals out of 2,035 listings starting at $2,795
Used Honda Accord
40 Great Deals out of 910 listings starting at $1,599
Used Toyota Camry
52 Great Deals out of 985 listings starting at $2,212
Used Nissan Versa
13 Great Deals out of 463 listings starting at $4,499
Used Hyundai Elantra
163 Great Deals out of 3,544 listings starting at $2,995
Used Nissan Maxima
9 Great Deals out of 144 listings starting at $5,653
Used Mazda MAZDA3
74 Great Deals out of 1,510 listings starting at $2,495
Used Hyundai Sonata
38 Great Deals out of 1,111 listings starting at $3,112
Used Chevrolet Malibu
50 Great Deals out of 1,139 listings starting at $1,295
Used Volkswagen Jetta
82 Great Deals out of 1,896 listings starting at $995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.