Comments on: Unexpected Cold Weather Car Troubles

By: AAMCO Colorado

AAMCO Colorado — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 18:48:15 +0000

G,
Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your car without seeing it at one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. Or, check out our friends at AAMCO Minnesota – all AAMCO locations are backed by the best Nation Wide Warranty and many offer free diagnostic services.

Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado

By: G

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:16:14 +0000

Drove 30 miles in -30 weather in Minnesota this morning. As I reached town and neared my destination, I noticed that as I accelerated above 40mph my engine made a rumbling sound. Almost sounded like a bad muffler, but seemed to be coming from the engine??

By: AAMCO Colorado

AAMCO Colorado — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 20:11:46 +0000

Ron,
Often times cold weather can cause troubles with a car’s battery, and this could be a reason for the car not starting. However, we can not diagnose your son’s vehicle without running some diagnostics in person. We suggest finding an AAMCO local to you in Iowa.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado

By: Ron

Ron — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 18:07:23 +0000

My son is in school in Iowa, where his 2011 Nissan has been sitting on Street for a month. He started it this morning put it in drive, but it wouldn’t move. Has a cat transmission, and it ran fine bef he left.

By: Stuart Linderman

Stuart Linderman — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 04:24:18 +0000

Ordinarily, you should start your car and immediately begin driving. The car can warm-up while you drive. EXCEPT when it is sub zero out. When it is this cold old, (today it is -4) you should not start driving until the car is warmed up. Here is why:

When the car is cold, the thermostat prevents the water from circulating thru the radiator until that water reaches about 190 degrees. Once that level is reached, the thermostat opens and allows the water to circulate thru the radiator.

But when it is very cold out and you cause air to move past the radiator (as in driving), it is actually possible to freeze the radiator solid, even if your anti-freeze is OK. (Think “wind chill”) If that happens, the heated water in the engine has no place to go and two things might occur. The engine can overheat (even in the cold) and the hot water suddenly hitting the frozen radiator can cause the radiator to crack. The process is called thermal shock.

So, avoid super-cooling the radiator by driving and certainly stay off the expressway until the car is warmed-up. Wait at least until heat is being generated inside the car. That means that coolant (water) has started to flow through the radiator. If your car is garage-kept, pull it out and let it warm-up in the alley before driving. Don’t leave the car unattended.