Re: Cold starting difficulties

Posted by Dave Kenney On 2010/4/14 10:58:55

Scott, I have lived in a cold climate for almost 50 years and engine block heaters are standard equipment on new cars sold up here. Most modern cars start without being "plugged in" but the older cars/ high mileage still need help. My daily driver uses both a coolant block heater and an electric battery blanket which also might help in your case. I also have a magnetic heater pad that I use to warm my snowblower but which also could be located on the engine crankcase. I agree that from my experience dip stick heaters are not very good and I haven't seen them for sale in the auto supply stores in several years. A common problem with cars not starting might also be a weak battery or one with low cold cranking amp rating or as mentioned poor connections or battery cables that are too thin.