smart fails to cold start

[jimvw57]

I have seen a lot of cars over the years that were to be sold as 'southern cars' with smaller batteries while 'northern cars' had much larger batteries specificly for cold weather. I have always put the largest battery that will fit in my cars. I have had my Smart since August and it has not had any problems starting even in -20f temps for the last few days. Maybe in a year it might have issues, we will see.

[Suze]

oh, that is so sad... poor smartie left to fend for himself in the frigid temps, so cold and lonely, without love. And you say he failed...

I say you may have failed him, by leaving him out alone for 2 days!

I'm glad he started after a charge. This should be a lesson to all of us -- Run them every day or keep them indoors. We do as much for our pets, right?

[24-42]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...big Q here...does the fuel pump runs 'til it pressurizes the rails or starts to run when it sees crank rotation?....jetfuel

I have always considered it an honor and responsibility when asked a question by someone who will have faith and belief in my answer.
Diesel engines with direct injection maintain pressure. Indirect injection engines may or may not maintain pressure.

I have no idea about the Mitsu engine. I own the 450 Mercedes and I think it doesn't.

If you recognize "bull$h!t" when you hear it, your question is a great one to pose to the so called factory trained techs. It is a great 'Qualifier'

I'll do some research but, don't forget I am retired. Evelution would be a place to begin, you can rely on Kane.

Donald LaFavor

[xviper]

Would plugging it in help it any?

[smark]

Originally Posted by jwight

After a couple of pretty cold nights (-13, -2) with the smart sitting outside, and after a change to Mobil 1 0W40 a couple of days before, thought this would be a good test:



Good test, but the smart failed. Not enough battery power is my guess, so it's on the charger (10 amp) right now.

Old timers trick, put a shop lamp, or utility lamp with 100 watt light near the battery area inside. (Not right on top, just near.) Make sure it doesn't burn anything. seats, carpet, dash. The heat from the light, will bring the temp up in the car a little. This use to work for under the hood, on very cold sub zero nights.

[jwight]

No video, but the car started right up a few minutes ago; temp was only 27 last night, right at 21 now so the sub-zero temps seem to be the key. I've got the indoor cars on battery tenders, but without readily available connections that doesn't seem practical for the smart.

[jefferios]

That is good.

[xviper]

Originally Posted by jwight

No video, but the car started right up a few minutes ago; temp was only 27 last night, right at 21 now so the sub-zero temps seem to be the key. I've got the indoor cars on battery tenders, but without readily available connections that doesn't seem practical for the smart.

When I mentioned about "plugging it in", I meant plugging in a block heater. In that vid, it sounded like it did actually crank on the first attempt. I think that the block was simply too cold and the cranking was difficult and too slow to fire. If it had a block heater working, it may have cranked fast enough to fire the first time.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by xviper

When I mentioned about "plugging it in", I meant plugging in a block heater. In that vid, it sounded like it did actually crank on the first attempt. I think that the block was simply too cold and the cranking was difficult and too slow to fire. If it had a block heater working, it may have cranked fast enough to fire the first time.

Far as I know, there is no actual block heater for the 451; closest I've found is a strip heater that is glued onto the bottom of the oil pan. That probably would have been better than nothing.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by jwight

Far as I know, there is no actual block heater for the 451; closest I've found is a strip heater that is glued onto the bottom of the oil pan. That probably would have been better than nothing.

In this day and age should not be necessary on a new car! The batteries are probably below standards we have here in this country. If I lived someplace that we REALLY cold....like Montana or the Dakotas, I probably would have a block heater just for those few days where it gets down that cold. OR....I would more than likely just have a heated garage...better still.....
AS time goes by, I may get one of those Optima batteries...I had one of those in my Taurus for 6 years and it never failed me once and that was left outside all the time.