Rep Power: 0

Ok, I know the owners manual says they are harder to start in the cold. I admit I went to Jiffy Lube and let them put 5w 30 in. Yesterday it was damp and around freezing and the car wouldn't start. At first I thought the battery was dead. I looked under the hood and couldn't see the green light. I got back in the car and it basically had power although I know that the battery might have enough juice to operate the lights and radio and not enough to start the car. It didn't seem right though, and then I remembered about cold weather starting. I double checked the owners manual and did the procedure. Depressed the accellarator half way while turning the key. Slowly but surely the revs went faster and faster until she kicked over. Why are Civics so hard to start up? Are a lot of cars like this?

 
Rep Power: 337

the starter isnt a high torque one....
the battery only puts out 410 cold cranking amps, which should be more than enough for the smaller motor, also the type of oil you run could affect how the car starts too
thicker oil = tougher to start
if you have some electrical accesories that are on all the time i.e. alarm system, car starter or something else... it tends to eat away at the cranking amperage

and just as a fun fact.. at 0 F the cranking amperage output of your battery is cut in HALF!

you could always put in a second battery with like 1000CCA's that would definately turn over your car LOL

 
Rep Power: 347

glad it wram hear

 
Rep Power: 332

assuming your living in an area where it snows and cold as numb-nuts, i would think about staying with 5w-20 motor oil. better yet, even 0w-20 works since thats what most motor oil manufactuers recommend on most hondas

<---- mobil 1 5w-30 all day and no probs.

 
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put in an msd ignition box. starts up great

 
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Never had any problems starting my 01 Civic even in single digit temperatures. Also, I have always used 5W-20.

 
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You could always get an engine block heater. I'm thinking about pcking up the oem one. It's around $30

 
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Don't have that problem out here in San Diego, but yeah if you garage the car you could use the engine heater, otherwise definately go with a lighter oil.

 
Rep Power: 337

umm... msd has an ignition box for our cars?!

 
Rep Power: 290

yea, i would recommend getting a block heater too. as long as you have somewhere to plug it in at home.

 
Rep Power: 301

Maybe at some point an optima battery wouldn't hurt either.

 
Rep Power: 811

5w20 oil
optima yellow
ngk iridium plugs
ground wires

= perfect 3 crank starts even after sitting in sub zero temps for 2 weeks.

 
Rep Power: 288

first of all, its not the battery if you couldnt hear it. You could tell if its the battery or not when u turn the ignition. if a clicking sound makes, then its the battery, if another sound then its not the battery.

thats the way u can tell if you have battery problems. my battery kept dying too because my new in dash dvd, so i had to pop the clutch a few times in the rain =/

 
Rep Power: 0

Try warming your key if it is frozen. I found since I left my keys in the car, the chip in the key would malfunction and the immobilizer would not let the car start.