Although legends say that Iceland was given its name to discourage other settlers from exploring the magical land, there’s no denying the fact that Iceland gets cold! In the winter in Iceland the temperatures hover between 0 °C (32 °F) and -10 °C (14 °F), with the windchill often making it feel even colder.
These temperatures bring with them a unique set of challenges, including icy road and snowstorms. If you’re doing a road trip in Iceland during this time of year, you might be faced with a situation where your car won’t start in the cold. Whether you’re driving the entire Iceland Ring Road, or simply cruising around Reykjavik, dealing with a car that won’t start is the last thing you want on your trip.
With 24/7 emergency phone support for rental cars and partner services located across the country, Hertz Iceland has you covered, ensuring you’re never far from help. But what do you actually do when your car refuses to start in cold weather? This guide will cover all the reasons behind this issue and, more importantly, what you can do about it to continue your journey safely and smoothly.
Common Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start in Cold Weather
Cold weather has the potential to cause a range of different problems and challenges, from icy road conditions to deciding what clothing to pack and wear to handle the unpredictable weather. But your car not starting has the potential cause severe delays in your travel. Several key components of your vehicle can be affected by the cold, and understanding these problems can help you troubleshoot the issue quickly.
1. Car Battery Issues
Your car’s battery is often the first part to suffer in cold temperatures. As the mercury drops outside, the battery’s ability to generate enough energy to start the engine significantly declines. This happens because the chemical reactions within the battery slow down, making it harder for it to produce power. In winter, the demand on the battery increases since you’ll be using the heaters, defrosters, and lights more frequently, which worsens any existing weaknesses.
Signs that your car battery may be failing include the engine starting slowly or, in some cases, not starting at all. You might also hear a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition or notice that the dashboard lights are dim or totally unresponsive. If you experience any of these issues, the first thing you should check is the battery, as it’s the most likely culprit.
2. Problems with Starter Motors
In addition to the battery, cold weather can also affect your car’s starter motor, which is responsible for actually turning over the engine. If the starter motor fails, then your vehicle won’t start, regardless of how much charge the battery has. Common ways you can identify starter motor issues include a persistent clicking noise when you turn the key without any engine movement or a complete lack of sound during the starting attempt, even though the dashboard lights are functioning.
Freezing temperatures can cause starter motors to seize up or struggle, making it difficult for your vehicle to start. If you think you might have a problem with your starter motor, you’ll likely need to get the car towed to a mechanic to have it repaired or replaced, as the starter motor is crucial for your vehicle to operate.
3. Engine Oil Thickening
Engine oil plays a critical role in ensuring that your car’s engine runs smoothly by lubricating the moving parts of the engine, but cold weather can have a significant impact on its consistency. In cold temperatures, engine oil can thicken and lose viscosity, making it much harder for the engine to turn over due to increased resistance. If you notice that your engine takes longer to start or hear grinding noises as it struggles to turn over, it could indicate that the oil is too thick.
To counteract this issue, we recommend always using winter-grade engine oil that has been specifically designed for cold climates. This type of oil remains thinner in cold temperatures, which allows your engine to turn over more easily and improves the chance of it starting smoothly.
Fuel Line Freezing
One issue that makes it harder for your car to start in the cold is frozen fuel lines. This is slightly less common, but just as concerning. As the temperatures drop, moisture in the fuel lines can freeze. This creates a blockage that prevents fuel from reaching the engine.
Without fuel, your car simply won’t start, leaving you stranded. This issue can occur if there’s condensation in the fuel tank caused by a buildup of moisture or if the fuel contains a high water content.
To prevent fuel line freezing, you should try to make sure your gas tank is at least half full at all times. A fuller tank reduces the likelihood of condensation forming as there is less empty space for the moisture to collect. Additionally, consider adding a fuel-line antifreeze or water remover to your fuel tank, especially if you’re driving in Iceland in the winter.
Also, always use high-quality fuel to reduce the risk of pumping your tank with fuel that has high water content. In more stubborn cases, you may need to take the car to a mechanic to resolve the problem.
Steps to Take When Your Car Won’t Start
When your car won’t start in cold weather, don’t panic. There are a few simple steps you can take to try and get back on the road.
1. Check the Battery
First, start by checking your battery, which is one of the most common culprits for a car not starting in cold weather. Cold temperatures reduce the battery’s ability to hold a charge, and if it’s already weak, it might not have enough power to start the engine. Begin by inspecting the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion or loose connections.
Corroded terminals can prevent the battery from delivering enough power to the starter. If the connections look good, try turning on your car’s headlights. If they’re dim or don’t come on at all, there’s a strong chance the battery is the issue.
If the battery is dead, jump-starting the car may be your best option. To do this, you’ll need another vehicle with a fully charged battery and a set of jumper cables. If you’re driving a rental car from Hertz Iceland, then you should have a set of jumper cables with you.
Once both cars are parked close enough for the cables to reach, attach the jumper cables to the positive and negative terminals of both batteries, ensuring you connect them correctly (positive to positive, negative to negative).
Start the working vehicle first, and then try starting your own car. If your car starts, you’ve likely solved the issue, but it’s still a good idea to have your battery tested afterward to determine whether it needs to be replaced or simply recharged.
2. Inspect the Starter Motor
If the battery isn’t the problem, the next thing to consider is the starter motor. If you turn the key and hear a clicking noise but the engine doesn’t turn over, this is often a sign that the starter motor is malfunctioning. Sometimes, in colder weather, the starter motor can stick or freeze.
In these cases, a simple technique is to tap the starter motor gently with a tool, which might free it up just enough to start the car. However, this is only a temporary solution, and you’ll want to have the starter motor checked by a mechanic since it may not start up that fast again next time!
3. Evaluate Engine Oil and Fuel Lines
If the above two don’t seem to be the problem, there is a chance that the cold weather has impacted the engine oil or fuel lines, so it’s important to check these if your car is still not starting. In freezing temperatures, engine oil can thicken, making it harder for the engine to turn over. You can check this by popping the hood and inspecting the oil dipstick.
If the oil looks excessively thick or sludgy, it may be too cold for the engine to crank efficiently. If this happens, you can try warming up the engine by covering it with a blanket or using an engine block heater if you have one. These methods help reduce the oil’s thickness and make it easier for the engine to start.
Additionally, fuel line freezing is another issue that can occur in the colder temperatures, especially if there’s condensation or moisture in the fuel system. If you suspect that frozen fuel lines are preventing the car from getting enough fuel to start, your best option is to move the vehicle to a warmer environment, such as a garage. If that’s not possible, adding a fuel-line antifreeze or water remover to your fuel tank can help prevent the moisture from freezing and blocking fuel flow.
Winter Driving Tips in Iceland
At Hertz Iceland, we ensure that all our rental cars are equipped to handle the tough winter conditions of Iceland. All of our vehicles undergo regular maintenance checks, and our in-house mechanics ensure that our fleet is winter-ready. However, it’s important to acknowledge that even the best-maintained cars can experience difficulties in extreme cold. Here are some Iceland travel tips to help you stay safe and avoid common issues when driving in Icelandic winter conditions.
Understanding Iceland’s Winter Road Conditions
Iceland’s winter road conditions can be unpredictable. You might face icy roads, blizzards, or sudden snowstorms, especially in the rural and more remote parts of the country, such at North Iceland or the Westfjords. It’s important to be prepared for these conditions.
Tips for safe driving in snow and storms:
- Always check the weather (vedur.is) and road conditions (umferdin.is) before setting out on the road. Websites like safetravel.is can also provide up-to-date information.
- Drive slowly and carefully on icy or snowy roads, and brake gently. The grip can be reduced significantly in these conditions.
- Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, as stopping distances increase in icy conditions.
- Use low gears when driving uphill or downhill to maintain control of the car.
- Always rent a 4WD vehicle when visiting Iceland in the winter to have better control of your vehicle.
- Be prepared for sudden weather changes and always carry emergency supplies like blankets, food, water and a fully charged phone.
What to Do in Case of a Breakdown
Even with all the precautions, breakdowns can still happen in Iceland’s harsh winter environment. If you find yourself in this situation with a Hertz Iceland rental car, rest assured we offer 24/7 emergency phone support, so help is never far away.
Steps to take in case of a breakdown:
- Stay calm and move the car to a safe location, if possible.
- Contact Hertz Iceland’s emergency support line for immediate phone assistance. Our network of partner services is spread across the country, so there is always support nearby.
- Be aware of the costs for towing or replacing a vehicle. Information about this can be found in the ‘damage car transportation and replacement section‘ of our website.
- Consider the importance of travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses that may arise from breakdowns or towing.
Be Prepared For If Your Car Won’t Start in Cold
Iceland is truly a magical place during the winter, with specific experiences available that aren’t available at other times in the year, such as seeing the northern lights, or exploring an Iceland ice cave. But it does come with its own set of challenges. When your car won’t start in cold, it’s important that you understand the possible reasons. Knowing how to troubleshoot these problems can make a frustrating situation much easier to handle.
At Hertz Iceland, we take great care to ensure our fleet is winter-ready and provide 24/7 phone support so you can travel with confidence. So go ahead and book your rental car online now. Should you encounter any issues, from a car that won’t start to more serious breakdowns, our dedicated emergency service is just a phone call away.
