Good Morning, 9 below New Hampshire?

We got the warning but were you ready for below zero temperatures?  More importantly is your car ready?

Cold weather starting requires a good foundation

This starts with the battery. When you turn that key
the battery is what makes it all happen.
Summer, winter or fall, without a healthy battery you’re going no where!

Starting Tips

Warming the Battery..When you first go to start your car in these  temperatures, just turn the key to the on position.
This allows the fuel pump to operate for 2 to 3 seconds. The result is the correct fuel pressure at the engine.  Then turn the key off for a few seconds and turn it on again.  This will assure the fuel system is fully primed.  This step also gets the electrons moving in the battery.  Have you heard the old story of turning your head lights on briefly on cold mornings?  It’s not a story it does help…

Easy on the gas pedal

When you turn the key to the crank position to start the engine avoid stepping on the gas pedal, you need to let the computer do its job.  Stepping on the gas pedal while cranking the engine over can actually flood the engine with gas..  Not a good thing in negative degree weather.

Once the engine starts just let it idle, DO NOT race the engine!  The engine oil is cold and not moving too fast.  Lubrication maybe lacking in the first few seconds of the engine running.  Sudden racing of the engine could cause expensive damage.

Don’t rush the heat

Okay, now you have the urge to turn the heater and blower on high,,,Not a good time!  There are two reasons that you shouldn’t do this.

Set the temperature for the heater on high but not the blower. Setting the blower on high speed will remove heat from the cooling system, greatly increasing the time it takes to warm the engine.

Double Whammy

Setting the blower on high also uses a lot of electrical power and most new cars automatically turn their lights on.  In cold weather this is a Double Whammy on the battery!  When the car is idling to warm up, the engine speed is too low to maintain proper charging voltage.  The battery, whose main job is to start  the engine, is suddenly helping to keep the engine running.  This drains the battery until you’re driving the car.  In cold weather it takes longer to recharge the battery.  Too many cold days in a row and you’ll end up with a battery that can’t start your car.

Warm the driver time

Once your car is running, heat on high and the blower on a low setting, it is time to go back into the house and warm-up with that hot cup of tea or coffee.  By the time it takes you finish that cup of coffee, your car should be ready to drive.

The key to surviving winter

A properly maintained car and a few starting  will have you surviving winter’s cold weather punch.

The Northwood Garage, Keeping Your Car Go to Good …Since 1955

Member Better Business Bureau…check on us here…BBB

Free Battery Test

Every time your car or truck comes into the Northwood Garage we perform a free battery test.  That’s right, free..We know how important a good battery is to the overall health of your vehicle.

Did you know that you cannot accurately test or diagnose a starter or alternator without a good battery?  That is why, in order to properly test any electrical circuit in your car you must

know if the battery is good!

Here at the Northwood Garage we have made the investment to provide you with the best in battery testing and diagnostics.