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Starting the engine in severe frost is a real stress for its components. High viscosity of engine oil, long intervals between starts and other factors create an additional load on important parts of the engine. In the worst cases, this can lead to serious damage that will cost a penny to fix.
What you should know
Car manufacturers do not give exact temperature limits for car operation, and in our climate, drivers often start the engine at -30°C or even lower. Although it is impossible to avoid increased engine load, the consequences depend on a number of factors that can be controlled.
One of the main factors that affects the successful start of the engine in frost is engine oil. Its characteristics — viscosity and crystallization temperature — play a key role. Taking into account the climate, each driver can choose the optimal oil for himself, taking into account these parameters.
Motor oil viscosity is determined by the SAE standard, and for all-season oils it is two numbers separated by a hyphen, such as 0W-20 or 5W-30. The letter W means "winter". The values in front of it give an idea of the temperature at which the oil will not thicken and the engine can start. For example, for a 5W oil, the minimum start-up temperature will be -30°C, and for a 0W oil, it will be -35°C.
This method is suitable for temperate climates, but in regions with long frosts, you should pay attention to another important factor - the freezing point of the oil. You can usually find laboratory test results for the oil to help you determine at what temperature the oil freezes. If the test shows that the oil does not crystallize up to -50°C, the engine can be started no earlier than at -40°C.
To reduce the load on the engine and make it easier to start, it is important to choose the right technical fluids. And if the frosts came unexpectedly and there are doubts about the quality of the oil, it is better to wait for warming, and not risk the health of the engine.
