[Ibi]

I went to start the car this morning (i left it outside all night) and it made an attempt to start but didnt. Tried again after a few mins and then nothing; it felt like it was turning over then stopped. No errors/lights. I tried to jump it with my other car but same thing. Press the button, it tries to start but then dies. Radio, fan and all were running before and after attempting the starts. So i St for another few mins then tried again, this time success. Car started realllly slow and sounded very deep. I let it warm up, took it for a spin and it runs normal.

Any cause for concern, or just too damn cold out?

Its never done this before....

[dlando]

Too cold, same thing happened to my X3 that doesn't get a garage space

Originally Posted by Ibi

I went to start the car this morning (i left it outside all night) and it made an attempt to start but didnt. Tried again after a few mins and then nothing; it felt like it was turning over then stopped. No errors/lights. I tried to jump it with my other car but same thing. Press the button, it tries to start but then dies. Radio, fan and all were running before and after attempting the starts. So i St for another few mins then tried again, this time success. Car started realllly slow and sounded very deep. I let it warm up, took it for a spin and it runs normal.

Any cause for concern, or just too damn cold out?

Its never done this before....

[KiX1911]

I agree, its just too cold...a buddy of mine parked his new Jeep in my driveway and it wouldn't start. I boosted him and he was good. I would put money on it if my BMW was outside on a day like today, it wouldn't start (my car is an 08 on original battery)

No worries

B

[bimmer328]

I got a new battery last year and this morning it took 3-4 times to start. Just too cold.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by Ibi

I went to start the car this morning (i left it outside all night) and it made an attempt to start but didnt. Tried again after a few mins and then nothing; it felt like it was turning over then stopped. No errors/lights. I tried to jump it with my other car but same thing. Press the button, it tries to start but then dies. Radio, fan and all were running before and after attempting the starts. So i St for another few mins then tried again, this time success. Car started realllly slow and sounded very deep. I let it warm up, took it for a spin and it runs normal.

Any cause for concern, or just too damn cold out?

Its never done this before....

Too cold....had to put mine on battery charger in boost mode.....fired right up after couple min at 75A charge.......when it gets this cold and stays like this the battery has a hard time churning the thick frozen oil so I think I'm going to keep on the charger overnight to keep the battery at optimal voltage.....it was -22 and mine turned over slowly but failed to start.
Or have a booster pack charged and ready if you need to go out in this cold stuff if you let the car freeze again....once the oil is warmed mine had no problems starting back up after I turned off.

[Ibi]

thanks for the feedback! it's going in the garage from now on!

...took the wife out for dinner, hopefully it starts just fine

[dassub]

My car has been sitting on my frozen driveway since Wednesday, I am not looking forward to trying to start it. I do have a booster pack in the garage if need be, though I've read that you shouldn't try boosting a frozen battery or it could explode. Maybe AGM is different, though.

Update: I had to use my booster pack to start the car, but at least now I know the thing works.

[xcyx]

same here, needed a boost to start my car.

[dassub]

Same story this morning, this weather is insane!

[m42stanle]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Too cold....had to put mine on battery charger in boost mode.....fired right up after couple min at 75A charge.......when it gets this cold and stays like this the battery has a hard time churning the thick frozen oil so I think I'm going to keep on the charger overnight to keep the battery at optimal voltage.....it was -22 and mine turned over slowly but failed to start.
Or have a booster pack charged and ready if you need to go out in this cold stuff if you let the car freeze again....once the oil is warmed mine had no problems starting back up after I turned off.

Issue is not so much the temp of the engine & fluids at startup - our cars run decent quality synthetics which will thicken slightly in this cold, but will still easily pour down past -35 or -40 deg.

The big problem is the effect of the cold on the battery. At -20 C even a brand new lead acid starting battery will only have about 60% of the available cranking amps it would otherwise have at +25 C.

The booster pack is a good insurance policy as long as it is kept in an insulated garage or basement, otherwise it it's kept outside it could suffer the same fate as the battery in the car.

Keeping the car connected to a tender will help also if it's an option - this gives the battery its best chance of having sufficient cranking amps available when it comes time to start. It will also reduce the chance of the battery freezing due to self discharge (a nearly discharged lead acid battery can freeze in -6 C weather).

A battery warmer will be the best solution. I have not tried to use one (luckily my car is garaged) but everyone out West uses these + block heaters. If it can fit around the space in the trunk and if you are able to run an extension cord to your car it will raise the temp of the battery well above freezing. Hook it up 30 mins to an hour before you need to start the car and you should be fine. I think CT sells these for around $30.