too cold to start car. is it because of the type of synthetic oil i use.

[cirilo]

so it dropped to like -20 degress here in chicago and my car did not want to start in the morning. is it true that my car wont start because of the synthetic oil I use. because it is simply too thick and in the cold winter the oil has a hard time lifting off the oil pan. i use mobil 1 synthetic.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

Yeah thicker oil will make the motor harder to start in artic weather. Thats why i use 10w in the summer and 5w in the winter.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

It's hard to start because your battery power goes down the colder it gets. Your oil is fine, charge your battery.

 

[cirilo]

has anyone ever tried one of those heaters that you put under the car. they have a magnet in which it sticks to the oil pan and warms up the engine. im thinking about buying one tomorow, their like 50 bucks.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

It's hard to start because your battery power goes down the colder it gets. Your oil is fine, charge your battery.

What he said.

 

[cirilo]

It's hard to start because your battery power goes down the colder it gets. Your oil is fine, charge your battery.

yeah the battery is brand new i even ran cables to another car but still no luck. the engine turns and it like wants to start but it just can make it, .

 

[nyTalonTsi]

The battery could be the issue too, but since its new it might not be, i know that thicker oil would make the engine harder to start in really cold weather, but it would eventually start after extra attempts. You sure your terminals are good? Is the negative on tight? Then how is your alternator?

 

[knochgoon24]

I sometimes have to give it a bit of gas when it's cold to get mine to start.

 

[cirilo]

They're fine, i just think its because i didn't start it for three days then tried to start it again on a really cold day. is 20w50 motor oil the same as synthetic.

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

Check your battery with a multimeter, if it's below 12.5 with the car off (for an hour), it needs a charge. Even new battery's need to be checked, you don't know how long it sat in the warehouse. Unless you're running some very thick oil, the oil is not the problem. After sitting for a few days in this kind of cold wave, it's 100% normal for it to be a hard start. Your car is probably fine.

I sometimes have to give it a bit of gas when it's cold to get mine to start.

These car's are efi, all you're doing when you press the pedal down while cranking is causing a lean condition.

 

[the_illest_fool]

i think you have the right idea try heating your oil, 20 50 is some thick stuff even if it is synthetic, unless your running a serious turbo set up id recommend going with 10 30 and a oil cooler

 

[JusMX141]

Synthetic will remain thinner in cold weather than a Petroleum oil of equal weight.

We had the same cold spell here in PA and my buddy's old V8 Chevy plow truck would NOT start with SAE 30 in it. Hell even my Eclipse GS with 10W30 Mobil 1 cranked VERY slow the night it was -7, and I have a good battery as well.

Oil definitely has alot to do with it; it has a direct effect on the battery's cranking power.